In the 1956 film by Albert Lamorisse, Le Ballon Rouge is famous for its simple exploration of the complexity of human nature. A small boy meets a balloon which becomes his companion, following him to school and waiting for him outside until its time to go home. He has made this one magical discovery, which sets him apart from the people around him—the rule-abiding adults, and the other children.
When a crowd of bullies descends onto his innocent world, he gets a taste of the cruelty that lives in all of us, and that at some point in our lives, we’re either defending or repelling. The end of the short film delivers a multi-colored hope that we rise above the maddening crowd we’re often trying to escape. Fifty years later, its still a restorative, affecting meditation on life. Especially for the scene of Parisian flea markets in the 50’s. In many ways, Paris has not changed. Nor have bullies on the playground.
To view the film online, click here
