1956 – THE RED BALLOON
The late French filmmaker Albert Lamorisse made this classic, 1956
short work about a lonely little Parisian boy (Pascal Lamorisse)
befriended by a large red balloon, which seems to have a will of
its own. As with his preceding short, 1952's White Mane, Lamorisse
took home a grand prize from the Cannes Film Festival for The Red
Balloon, and the latter film also won an Academy Award. There have
been some stimulating pieces of film criticism (some pro, some con)
written about the aesthetics of this little movie over the years,
but there's no question it makes for a touching, allegorical piece
always certain to prompt conversations among viewers of any age.
- Tom Keogh
Description
One of the most famous short films ever made, The Red Balloon is
a childhood fantasy with appeal for viewers of every age. It is
the story of Pascal, a lonely French boy who befriends a wondrous
red balloon which follows him everywhere--to school and church--and
even hovers outside his window when he is in his room. Filmed entirely
in the picturesque back streets and narrow alleys of Old Montmartre,
the film has been acclaimed through the world as an immortal masterpiece
of lyrical poetry. The Red Balloon is both a beguiling fantasy and
a touching allegory on the magic powers of love and friendship.
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