The Red Balloon (French: Le Ballon rouge) (1956) is a fantasy short film, directed by award-winning French filmmaker Albert Lamorisse.[1]
The thirty-four minute short, which follows the adventures of a young boy who one day finds a sentient, mute, red balloon, was filmed in the Ménilmontant neighborhood of Paris, France.
It won numerous awards when released in its day, including an Oscar for Lamorisse for writing the best original screenplay in 1956. It is the only dialogue-free film ever to win the award. The film also became popular with children and educators.
Albert Lamorisse used his children as actors in the film. His son, Pascal Lamorisse, plays Pascal in the main role, and his daughter Sabine portrays a little girl.
The story, which has sound and virtually no dialogue, tells the story of Pascal (Pascal Lamorisse), who, on his way to school one morning, discovers a large helium-filled red balloon.
As Pascal plays with his new found toy, he realizes the balloon has a mind and will of its own, and it begins to follow Pascal wherever he goes, at times floating outside his bedroom window as Pascal's mother won't allow it in the house.
The red balloon follows Pascal through the streets of Paris
In their wanderings around the neighborhood, Pascal and the balloon encounter a gang of bullies, and they destroy his new friend.
The film ends as the other balloons in Paris
Watch all 4 parts!
Comments