The Black Balloon (film)

Infobox_Film
name = The Black Balloon


caption = The Black Balloon Poster.
imdb_id = 0865297

director = Elissa Down
writer = Elissa Down
Jimmy Jack
producer = Tristram Miall
starring = Toni Collette
Rhys Wakefield
Luke Ford
Erik Thomson
Gemma Ward
distributor = Icon Film Distribution
released = 6th March 2008 (Australia)
runtime =
country = flagicon|Australia Australia
language = English

"The Black Balloon" is a drama-based Australian film which stars Toni Collette, Rhys Wakefield, Luke Ford, Erik Thomson, Gemma Ward as well as a cast of newcomers. It is directed by first time feature film director, Elissa Down.cite web | author = CLPR | title = Press releases: Principal photography commences on The Black Balloon | publisher = Inside Film Magazine | date = January 15 2007 | url = http://www.if.com.au/Press/2007/01/15.html | accessdate = 2007-01-29 ]

The film was released in Australian cinemas March 6, 2008. The world premiere was at the Berlin International Film Festival in Germany in February 2008, where the film received a Crystal Bear as the best feature-length film in the "Generation 14plus" category.cite web | author = Berlinale | title = The Festival - Awards & Prizes - Prizes Generation | url = http://www.berlinale.de/en/das_festival/preise_und_juries/preise_generation/index.html | accessdate = 2008-02-16 ]

Plot

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 it easy, he is put 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 cause his pent-up frustrations about his brother to pour out.

Reception

The Black Balloon received fairly positive reviews. The first weekend of release, The Black Balloon was number 10 on the Australian Box office with an intake of $500,010.

Filming Locations

* Holsworthy Public School, NSW
* Bardia Parade, Holsworthy, NSW
* Richmond University Swimming Pool, NSW
* Granville Performance Hall, NSW

Cast

* Rhys Wakefield as Thomas Mollison
* Luke Ford as Charlie Mollison
* Gemma Ward as Jackie Masters
* Toni Collette as Maggie Mollison
* Erik Thomson as Simon Mollison
* Firass Dirani as Russell
* Shai DeVletter Sont as the Lion
* Ryan "Whippet" Clark as Dean
* Lloyd Allison-Young as James
* Nathan Butler as Chris
* Lisa Kowalski as Sally
* Sally Evans as Girl on Bus
* Jordan Hagivassilis as Bus Kid #7

References

External links

* [http://www.theblackballoonmovie.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0865297/"The Black Balloon"] at IMDB
* [http://www.iconmovies.net/blackballoon/"The Black Balloon"] at ICON Entertainment
* [http://www.fto.nsw.gov.au/content.asp?content=3&Id=407 FTO News]