DVD Available through NeoClassics Films Home Entertainment January 26th 2010
Australia 2008 | Run time: 97 min. |PG-13
Director: Elissa Down
When Thomas (Rhys Wakefield) and his family move to a new home and he has to start at a new school, all he wants is to fit in. When his pregnant mother (Toni Collette) has to take things easy, his father Simon (Erik Thomson) puts him in charge of his autistic older brother Charlie (Luke Ford).
Thomas, with the help of his new girlfriend Jackie (Gemma Ward), faces his biggest challenge yet. Charlie's unusual antics take Thomas on an emotional journey that causes his pent-up frustrations about his brother to pour out - in a story that is funny, confronting, and ultimately heart-warming.
The Black Balloon is a story about fitting in, discovering love and accepting your family. Films' Website
The Black Balloon was released in 2009 and played in over twenty locations in major cities such as Minneapolis, Chicago, San Diego, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington D.C., New York, San Francisco, Dallas and Philadelphia
Reviews and Articles
The Contra Costa Times (Preview Listing)
April 14, 2009
The California Chronicle (Preview Listing)
April 14, 2009
Arizona Daily Star: REVIEW (Phil Villarreal)
April 10, 2009
Denton Record Chronicle: CAPSULE (Ty Burr Wire)
April 10, 2009
Dallas Observer: REVIEW (Scott Foundas Wire)
April 10, 2009
Dallas Morning News: REVIEW (Ty Burr Wire)
April 10, 2009
Austin American Statesman (Ran wire in Print per Chris Garcia, LISTING online)
April 10, 2009
Austin Chronicle: REVIEW ( Kimberley Jones)
April 10, 2009
Indianapolis Star / Metromix Indianapolis (Geoff Berkshire Review)
April 2009
Jim Sullivan Ink: REVIEW (Jim Sullivan)
April 2009
Wicked Local ( Newton Tab): Ran Wire of AL Alexander
April 2009
The Patriot Ledger: REVIEW (Al Alexander)
April 3, 2009
Boston Phoenix: REVIEW (Alicia Potter)
April 1, 2009
Boston Globe: REVIEW (Ty Burr)
April 3, 2009
Anchorage Daily News (Capsule Listing)
March 2009
April 3, 2009
Seattle Times: REVIEW (Ted Fry)
April 3, 2009
Seattle Times (preview listing)
April 2, 2009
Seattle Weekly: Scott Foundas Wire
April 2, 2009
San Diego Reader: REVIEW (Duncan Shepard)
April 2, 2009
San Diego City Beat: REVIEW (Anders Wright)
April 2, 2009
NORTH COUNTY TIMES: REVIEW (Dan Bennett)
April 2, 2009
San Diego Union Tribune (Capsule and listing)
March 2009
La Jolla Light (Capsule) Nicole Reino
March 2009
March 19, 2009
Sun-Sentinel – RUSSEL EDWARDS, Variety Review
March 13, 2009
The Gainesville Sun: REIVEW (Bill Dean)
March 13, 2009
March 2009
March 2009
The Star Tribune: REVIEW (Colin Covert)
March 2009
March 2009
March 5, 2009
February 28, 2009
February 26, 2009
February 13, 2009
The Autism News (repeated from The Star)
February 13, 2009
February 5, 2009
February 6, 2009
February 6, 2009
January 27, 2009
January 18, 2009
January 14, 2009
The Film Files: REVIEW (Dianne Brooks)
December 15, 2008
Tiny Mix Tapes: REVIEW (Anthony DeMatteo)
December 15, 2008
Under the Radar Mag: REVIEW (Chris Tinkham)
December 10, 2008
Boxoffice.com: REVIEW (John P. McCarthy)
December 5, 2008
The Popcorn Reel: REVIEW (Omar P.L. More)
December 5, 2008
New York Times: REVIEW (Stephen Holden)
December 5, 2008
LA TIMES: REVIEW (Sheri Linden)
December 5, 2008
Metromix LA: REVIEW (Geoff Berkshire)
December 5, 2008
Real Movie News: REVIEW (Bailey Henderson)
December 3, 2008
Slant Magazine: REVIEW (Nick Schager)
December 3, 2008
Entertainment Weekly: REVIEW (Lisa Schwartzbaum)
December 3, 2008
Village Voice: REVIEW (Scott Foundas)
December 2, 2008
December 1, 2008
NewsBlaze: REVIEW (Prairie Miller)
November 29, 2008
LAist: REVIEW (Farley Elliott)
November 23, 2008
Compuserve: REVIEW (Harvey Karten)
November 20, 2008
The Christian Post: REVIEW (Denny Wayman)
November 18, 2008
Screen Head: REVIEW (Kenna McHugh )
November 5, 2008
The National: REVIEW (Tanya Hanna)
November 4, 2008
October 16, 2008
LA Weekly: REVIEW (Scott Foundas)
LA City Beat: (Hard Copy)
Campus Circle: REVIEW (Sasha Perl-Raver)
Entertainment Weekly: (Hard Copy)
Cast & Crew
Director: Elissa Down
Writers: Elissa Down, Jimmy Jack
Cast: Rhys Wakefield, Luke Ford, Toni Collette, Erik Thomson, Gemma Ward
Producers: Tristram Miall (producer of "Strictly Ballroom")
Composer: Michael Yezerski
Director of Photography: Denson Baker Acs
Editor: Veronica Jenet Ase
Casting Director: Nikki Barrett
Awards
2009 Prism Award
Feature Film Nominee
| L’Oréal Paris 2008 AFI Award for Best Film |
The Black Balloon. Tristam Miall
|
| 2008 AFI Award for Best Direction |
The Black Balloon. Elissa Down
|
| 2008 Macquarie AFI Award for Best Original Screenplay |
The Black Balloon. Elissa Down & Jimmy The Exploder |
| 2008 AFI Award for Best Supporting Actor |
Luke Ford. The Black Balloon
|
| 2008 AFI Award for Best Supporting Actress |
Toni Collette. The Black Balloon
|
"The casting and chemistry between the actors is pitch perfect."
Dee Jefferson, Inside Film Australia
"One of the most genuinely enjoyable films out of Australia in years."
Megan Lehmann, The Hollywood Reporter
| Downloads | Size | File Type |
| LA Times Ad - The Black Balloon | 8mb |
JPG |
| Trailer - The Black Balloon Large | 26mb |
Quicktime |
| Photos (300dpi) | 26mb |
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