THE RED BALLOON (LE BALLON ROUGE) (1956) C 34m dir: Albert Lamorisse

w/Pascal Lamorisse, Georges Sellier, Vladimir Popov

From Georges Sadoul's Dictionary of Films: "A small boy (Lamorisse) chases a flying red balloon through the Belleville section of Paris.

"Not a documentary, but a large-budget short (25,000 balloons were used costing half a million francs). It was an enormous international success. Despite a Grand Prix at Cannes it was often attacked by French critics for its (inevitable) special effects and its (often real) affectations. Outside France, the film was acclaimed as an immortal masterpiece of lyrical poetry. Very good use of color, with the red balloon enhancing the grayness of Paris."