Nina Conti: Clowning Around (2015)
Comedian and ventriloquist Nina Conti swaps the stage for hospital wards in this intimate, award-winning documentary about becoming a clown.
Nina Conti: Clowning Around - Movie Information
- Original Title: Nina Conti: Clowning Around
- Release Year: 2015
- Directed by: Nina Conti
- Type: Movie
- Runtime: 1h 0m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 15, 2015 (United Kingdom)
Nina Conti: Clowning Around - Plot
This film follows Nina as she trains as a giggle doctor with Theodora Children's Charity, beginning with her trying to find her clown persona, who might be Scottish... or might not. Devastated by the discovery that Monkey can only perform in hospitals if he can be boil-washed, Nina tries to go it alone with only a red nose, a few misshapen balloon animals and some slightly disappointing magic tricks. Not to mention her professional snobbery rearing up as she finds herself turning into a baby-voiced children's entertainer. Then there are the difficulties she encounters when faced with clown phobia. Following her directorial debut with Her Master's Voice which won a Grierson Award and a BAFTA nomination, Nina Conti brings us another frank and intimate documentary about her eventful two-year stint as a hospital clown. Join her to discover whether Nina raised a laugh amongst sick children or whether she cried the tears of a clown.
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Nina Conti: Clowning Around - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Nina Conti
Main Cast
- Nina Conti
- Mick Barnfather
- Phil Burgers
- Ecole Philippe Gaulier
- Simon Munnery
- Sally Phillips
Nina Conti: Clowning Around - FAQs
What is Nina Conti: Clowning Around about?
The film follows comedian and ventriloquist Nina Conti as she trains to become a hospital clown with Theodora Children's Charity. It's an honest, often funny, and surprisingly moving documentary about her two-year journey entertaining sick children — armed with a red nose, wonky balloon animals, and her famous puppet Monkey.
Can Monkey the puppet appear in hospitals?
This is one of the film's most memorable revelations — Monkey can only be used in hospital wards if he can be boil-washed for hygiene reasons. Since he can't survive that process, Nina is forced to go it alone without her most famous comedic partner, which becomes a real emotional and professional challenge.
Where can you watch Nina Conti: Clowning Around?
You can find streaming and viewing options for Nina Conti: Clowning Around on JustWatch, which lists all available platforms in your region. Availability may vary depending on your country, so it's worth checking there for the most up-to-date options.
Did Nina Conti direct this documentary herself?
Yes, Nina Conti both directed and starred in Clowning Around. It follows her directorial debut Her Master's Voice, a documentary that won a Grierson Award and earned a BAFTA nomination. Her hands-on approach gives the film its distinctive intimate, self-aware quality.
Who appears alongside Nina Conti in the film?
The documentary features several recognisable faces, including comedian Sally Phillips, Simon Munnery, and Phil Burgers, as well as Mick Barnfather and the renowned clown school Ecole Philippe Gaulier. All appear as themselves, adding genuine texture to Nina's clowning journey.
How does Nina Conti deal with clown phobia in the film?
Clown phobia turns out to be one of the more unexpected hurdles Nina faces during her hospital visits. The documentary tackles it with her trademark honesty and dry humour, exploring how something as well-intentioned as bringing joy to sick children can still trigger genuine fear in some patients.
Is Nina Conti: Clowning Around worth watching?
If you enjoy documentary filmmaking with real heart and a sharp comic sensibility, this one is well worth your time. Nina Conti brings the same wit and self-deprecating honesty that made Her Master's Voice so compelling, and the hospital setting gives the film genuine emotional weight alongside the laughs.
How long is Nina Conti: Clowning Around?
The documentary runs for 60 minutes — a tight, well-paced hour that never overstays its welcome. It's a satisfying length for the story it tells, moving briskly between Nina's clown training, her hospital visits, and the personal reflections that give the film its emotional core.
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