Moxie Flix: The Red Balloon (1956)

These FREE screenings are part of MOXIE FLIX, a monthly series focusing on essential films for kids to see before they turn 13. This series was made possible by a grant from the Missouri Arts Council and the Springfield Regional Arts Council.

Synopsis: 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. [Criterion]

Starring: Pascal Lamorisse, Sabine Lamorisse, Georges Sellier
Director: Albert Lamorisse
Languages: French w/subtitles
Genre(s): Short, Comedy, Drama

A thorough, spoiler-filled Parent’s Guide can be found here.