Balloon (12A) at South Hill Park

Directed by Pema Tseden | Drama | Chinese/Tibetan | 102 mins | China | 2019

On the plains of Qinghai in the early 1980s, a family of Tibetan sheep farmers struggles against the conflicting dictates of nature, spirituality, politics and free will.

A wonderful picture, Balloon is a measured, wryly amusing and specifically Tibetan look at the intertwined issues of love, procreation, death, and reincarnation. What starts as a slice of life tale centred on a small sheep farm spirals gently outwards after the two youngest children discover two condoms and think they're balloons. Innocence gives way to issues of masculinity and virility, as well as the very present issues surrounding women and their right to retain agency of their body. In the end, Balloonfinds tragedy in comedy and vice versa, ruminating on a large web of connected topics without ever providing a conclusive outlook.

Both a gorgeously intimate family drama and an idiosyncratic artistic statement flecked with humour and sorrow, but alive always to the co-existence of the banal with the spiritual VARIETY

Delicate, playful and slightly mystical HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

Balloon Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8obSqeC3m8

Director Q&A (38 mins long): Download here