Around a Small Mountain on AllMovie

Jacques Rivette co-wrote and directed this intimate story of familial bonds and the life of the artist. Kate (Jane Birkin) was raised on the road, touring with the small circus run by her father, but after a disagreement she left her dad to run the show on his own. Fifteen years later, Kate gets word that her father has died, and his partners in the circus ask her to come back to help keep the show running. To the surprise of many, Kate agrees, taking care of the box office and looking after the business. While traveling to the next show, Kate's car breaks down, but she gets a ride from Vittorio (Sergio Castellitto), a good-natured drifter. Vittorio sticks around to attend the show, and despite the shabby circumstances of the performance, he enjoys what he sees and becomes part of the company. But as Vittorio is integrated into the circus family and develops a relationship with Kate, it's still not clear why she and her father parted ways years before, and why she's come back now that he's gone. 36 Vues du Pic Saint-Loup (aka Around a Small Mountain) received its world premiere at the 2009 Venice International Film Festival.