Arriving on Netflix later this April is one of the most important documentaries of the LBGT+ community. We have everything you need to learn about the documentary, Circus of Books, which includes the synopsis, runtime and Netflix release date.
Circus of Books is an upcoming Netflix Original documentary by Rachel Mason, documenting the life and history of her parent’s ownership of the Santa Monica bookstore, Circus of Books.
When is the Netflix release date for Circus of Books?
You’ll be able to stream Circus of Books on Netflix worldwide when it arrives on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020.
Circus of Books made its debut almost a year ago when it featured in the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2019.
What is Circus of Books?
The following synopsis for Circus of Books has been provided by Netflix:
For over 35 years, the gay porn shop Circus of Books gave Los Angeles’ LGBT+ community a space to socialize and celebrate themselves without judgment. Executive produced by Ryan Murphy, Circus of Books is the debut documentary from artist Rachel Mason, who finally asks the least radical people she knows her parents how they became American’s biggest distributors of gay porn.
Who are Karen and Barry Mason?
Heroes of the LGBTQ+ community, Karen and Barry Mason are the owners of a Santa Monica adult book store, Circus of Books.
After falling on hard times in the mid-70s, to ensure they could find a way to support their family, the Masons answered an ad in the Los Angeles Times.
The ad in question was for Larry Flynt’s pornographic magazine, Hustler. Becoming distributors of pornographic paraphernalia, within ten years the Masons had become the biggest distributor of Gay Porn in America.
Over the years Circus of Books became a safe haven for the community, but the Masons had to lead a double life at a time when the LGBTQ+ community was wildly unaccepted, especially in conservative America.
Despite being faced with potential jail sentences, the family persevered and continued to support the community, especially during the height of the AIDS crisis, offering support to those in need who had been abandoned by their families because of their sexuality.
Over 40 years on and Circus of Books still continues to thrive in the LTBGQ+ community, cementing the Masons’ place in history as one of the most influential supporters of a disenfranchised and persecuted community.
What is the run time of Circus of Books?
Not an immensely long documentary, the run time of Circus of Books is 92 minutes.
Is Circus of Books suitable for children?
For young children, definitely not due its content surrounding the distribution of porn, and other sexual paraphernalia.
We certainly think Circus of Books may be educational for teenagers, especially those who wish to learn more about the history of the LGBT+ community and the hardships they faced.
Will you be watching Circus of Books on Netflix? Let us know in the comments below!
