FLIGHT OF THE RED BALLOON

By Michael J Edwards / July 1, 2011

Hsiao-hsien Hou Written by: Hsiao-hsien Hou, François Margolin Starring: Juliette Binoche, Simon Iteanu,Song Fang Released in the U.K. on Mar, 14th 2008 and on limited release beginning Apr, 8th 2008 in the U.S. Review by Michael Edwards

rating: 4

Whenever I think of modern art, or maybe just contemporary art, I always think of drearily arranged and overhyped galleries in city centres which are just full of self-referential or heavily steeped in in-jokes about whatever medium they happen to be working in. (Those of you based in London may be aware that the object of my personal hatred is the Tate Modern). On this basis I was a little dubious about the concept behind Hou Hsiao Hsien's Flight of the Red Balloon: a pastiche referencing Lamorisse's classic film Le Ballon Rouge, created as part of a series of films initiated by the Paris Musee d'Orsay as part of it's 20th anniversary celebrations to bring together contemporary artists and the Impressionist and Art Nouveau artifacts housed in the museum. I was, however, pleasantly surprised by the subtlety, depth and originality of this film. The basis is simple: a mysterious red balloon follows young boy Simon around Paris, reresenting the beauty, fragility and easily affected life of a child. His mother Suzanne (Juliette Binoche) is struggling to cope alone, juggling her personal commitments, her job as a puppeteer (how cool!) and taking care of Simon. She therefore hires Song Fang (Song Fang), a Taiwanese film student, to help look after him. The framework of the film is far more important than the plot, which is a welcome change from a lot of the heavily event-driven tripe that dominates so called arthouse cinema now, (cough, cough, My Blueberry Nights cough) and once all the pieces are locked into place the movie starts to develop a life of its own as it meanders gently but nonetheless captivatingly through the complexities of postmodern life. Just as important to Flight of the Red Balloon is the atmosphere it creates which works with the living framework to give it a warm fuzzy sense of the familiar which gives it the power to suck you in and allow its themes to flow outwardly. The soft lighting and relaxing, gentle sepia tones give a pervading sense that you're in the film and discussing your own personal problems quietly in a cafe. Now all of this sounds a bit odd and dreamy, very very mellow right? Well I assure you I'm not on drugs, it's just that this really is a quietly absorbing film that truly seems to understand the daily strife of the ordinary (Westerner) of today. It doesn't tackle issues of high politics or throw Paul Haggis-esque morals in your face, it doesn't drag you through an emotional rollercoaster to garner oscars, it just woos you with its simple wisdom. With it's ponderous pace and slowly simmering themes of postmodern difficulties this film is certainly not for everyone. But as a showcase for great art film talent it is superb. An intensely moving and subtle portrayal of the multifarious demands facing contemporary society. Bolstered by a great cast putting in strong performances, Flight of the Red Balloon has plenty to offer the more patient and discerning film viewer. FLIGHT OF THE RED BALLOON is released in the UK on 14th of March.