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Two words that kept going through my mind while watching Flight of the Red Balloon were "gentle" and "beautiful." The imagery that director Hou Hsiao-hsien includes in this movie was reminiscent of the film The Red Balloon of which it was loosely based on, but Flight takes the themes of that movie further.
The movie follows Suzanne (the wonderful Juliette Binoche) and her son Simon in Paris, just as they hire a new nanny, Song, from Taiwan. Although Suzanne isn't really the "gentle" part of the movie I was talking about -- Suzanne is often rushing about, arguing with neighbors and going to work at a puppet theater (yes, a puppet theater) -- she brings together the different characters in charming ways, despite her "harried" persona.
Hou Hsiao-hsien's direction may be a bit slow for some, but this, folks, is what great cinema is built upon. The beauty of this film is in the interactions of the characters and the simplicity of the imagery juxtaposed with the complications of real life. Watching this film brought out the film nerd in us, wondering about leitmotifs and symbolism. Flight of the Red Balloon is a great movie to watch and get lost in: following Simon and Song along the back alleys of Paris, videotaping a single red balloon, dancing in the air.
Flight of the Red Balloon will be showing again on Saturday, March 22 at the Berkeley PFA. The SFIAAFF site says it's sold out, but a number of tickets are usually available day of. For more info, visit SFIAAFF.
Photo from the SFIAAFF website.
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