The Red Balloon
Five Films by Albert Lamorisse
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34m
Directed by Albert Lamorisse • 1956 • France
Starring Pascal Lamorisse
Rarely has the spirit of childhood been evoked as exquisitely as in this Academy Award–winning cinematic fable, a fantasy with the texture of reality. On the streets of 1950s Paris, a young boy (played by director Albert Lamorisse’s son, Pascal) is launched on a miraculous adventure when he’s playfully pursued by a shiny red balloon that seems to have a mind of its own—until the harsh realities of the world interfere, setting the stage for a deeply moving finale. Shot in beautifully muted Technicolor, this beguiling allegory of innocence and transcendence has inspired generations of viewers to let their imaginations take flight.
Up Next in Five Films by Albert Lamorisse
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Albert Lamorisse on “Pile ou face,” 1957
The following segment from the French television program “Pile ou face”
features director Albert Lamorisse discussing THE RED BALLOON, WHITE MANE, and his philosophy of filmmaking with a group of young students. -
White Mane
Directed by Albert Lamorisse • 1952 • France
Starring Alain Emery, Laurent Roche, Clan-ClanPossessed of the timeless perfection of a fable, this tale about the unique bond between children and animals is Albert Lamorisse’s ode to the awe-inspiring majesty of nature. Amid the vast flatlands of t...
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My Father Was a Red Balloon
In this 2008 documentary, directed by Chloé Scialom, Pascal Lamorisse recounts to his young daughter Lysa his experiences with his father, Albert Lamorisse, and how he influenced his own interest in film and photography.
