Yoyo (1965)

In the year 1925, amidst the opulence of a mansion teeming with servants and extravagant toys, resides a wealthy man whose desires seem unending. Yet, beneath his materialistic satisfaction lies an unquenchable yearning for Elle, the only woman he's ever loved, and whose current location remains a mystery to him. His ennui is disrupted with the arrival of a vibrant traveling circus, a spectacle that captivates his quest for entertainment. Among the circus troupe, he discovers not only the elusive Elle but also a son he never knew existed. This child, nicknamed Yo-Yo after his father's favorite plaything, weaves himself into the fabric of his father's life. The dramatic fall of the stock market in 1929 strips the man of his fortune, granting him the opportunity to embrace the circus life with Elle and Yo-Yo. The father's affection and guidance mold Yo-Yo into a remarkable circus clown and magician. However, as Yo-Yo matures, an insistent desire to restore his father's mansion to its previous grandeur begins to dominate his dreams. Time marches on, through the turbulence of World War II and the transformative advent of television, influencing the face of entertainment. Now the owner of his father's decaying palace, Yo-Yo embarks on a journey to rebuild from the ruins. His efforts elevate him to fame, celebrated as a great clown, an artist, a filmmaker, and a millionaire. However, amidst the applause and adoration, a sense of something missing lingers. Will he be able to fill this void while working as a circus clown, or will the weight of his inherited past prove too heavy? The story of Yo-Yo is a captivating exploration of love, loss, longing and the unending cycle of time, set against the colorful backdrop of the circus and the empty grandeur of a forgotten mansion.

Yoyo is a comedy movie featuring Pierre Étaix.

Yoyo is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.