Bells Family Carnival the subject of a feature-length documentary

The 100-year heritage of the Bells, a sixth-generation travelling show family, has been showcased in a feature-length documentary premiered at the Sydney film festival at the end of November.

Shot over the course of seven years, The Carnival charts the Bell's current activities and historic legacy as the criss-cross the country, providing entertainment and spectacle to crowds in almost every corner of Australia.

Under the leadership of patriarch Elwin Bell jnr, Bells Family Carnival follows the annual show circuit that takes them from Adelaide to Darwin and back again, meandering through a vast swathe of Eastern Australia, following much the same route as they have for almost 100 years.

Revealing the world of touring sideshows, The Carnival follows their patriarch, Elwin, his wife, Selina, and three of their children: Leroy, who has broken from the family to live a 'normal' life ; Ellie, who feels trapped since coming back from university and wonders how someone with her lifestyle will ever find a partner; and Roy, who maintains the family's enthusiasm for the business.

The documentary was shot by film maker Isabel Darling from Batemans Bay in NSW, where Bells Family Carnival has set up for the summer holidays every year since 1968.

Explaining how she was curious about that the family and business does for the year, Darling advises “I was so curious about these people - I knew nothing about them or where they came from.

"They would arrive at Batehaven, hang out for a couple of months, then disappear.”

Finding they travelled the country in a huge circuit, Darling joined the family on the road - for seven and a half years.

She notes “I had to build trust - they were receptive but a bit nervy to start with" but adds it wasn’t long before “they treated me like one of the team, it was very natural”.

Darling's company Torchlight Media also joined with Eurobodalla Shire Council to present a special screening at Bay Pavilions on Thursday 7th December.

Darling said the 85-minute screening provided viewers with a sense of just how hard these people work, going on to say "the carnival is all for fun and we take it for granted we’re going to get this show every year.

“Look closer and the costs are through the roof, they are really up against it. But they are so resilient and such a strong part of our culture, and I don’t think Australians will sit by and let this die.”

Darling is also hoping that The Carnival will also be shown by a television network or streaming platform.

Images: Elwin Bell jnr (top, credit: George Fetting), the Bell family (middle, credit: The Carnvial) and on Bells Family Carnival's rides (below, credit: The Carnvial).