That he makes us believe that a balloon is a real character is a testament to the magic spell he weaves from beginning to end. Albert Lamorisse, the film’s writer/director, just tells his beautiful little tale as simply as he can. The Red Balloon is almost completely devoid of dialogue (the handful of lines are just throwaways), many scenes play with music only, and some play with natural sound only. Most amazingly, the film won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, the first and only time a short film has won such a major award. And since its release it has certainly become one of the most beloved films of all time, each new generation discovering its beautiful story anew.

It was a simple, tiny, perfect film about a young boy who finds a red balloon one fine day, and the relationship that ensues, a true and wonderful friendship between boy and balloon. Upon its release in 1956, The Red Balloon, a thirty-five minute short film from France captured everyone’s hearts and imagination all around the world. Kritzerland is proud to present a world premiere release of the score to one of the most beloved films of all time:Ĭomposed and Conducted by Maurice Le Roux The Red Balloon has influenced many other filmmakers, ranging from the Taiwanese New Wave master Hou Hsiao-Hsien to the modern pioneer Damien Chazelle.THE RED BALLOON and LE VOYAGE EN BALLON: Composed by Maurice Le Roux and Jean Prodromides (respectively) The Red Balloon ended up making a huge impact and won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay while also nabbing the prestigious Palme d’Or at Cannes. It is ruthlessly stamped out by another boy but the balloon’s spirit is passed onto others like it, with Pascal being eventually rescued by many sentient balloons from the streets of Paris. The ending itself is beautifully affirming despite the pain.Įven though Pascal’s helium-filled friend is targeted and eliminated by a group of older boys who cannot stand the idea of the balloon itself. In that short run-time, Lamorisse manages to weave together a wide range of emotions that are fundamental to the human condition: heartbreak, joy, friendship, hope.

Almost devoid of dialogue, The Red Balloon is a visual experience that transports the viewer to another world.

The Red Balloon by Albert Lamorisse