THE COllEanO HEaRT

In the early 1900s, the circus was the greatest show on earth, and its stars were famous across the world.

Among them was Con Colleano, the legendary “wizard on the wire”, whose breathtaking performances made him an international sensation. But behind the glamour lay a hidden family story.

Built from remarkable home movies, rare archive footage and family interviews, The Colleano Heart traces the rise of the Colleano family from the Australian bush to the highest levels of circus fame in America and Europe. To succeed, they navigated prejudice, restrictive Australian laws and the need to conceal their Indigenous heritage. Con Colleano moved in elite circles, dazzling audiences and mingling with figures including Charlie Chaplin.