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Balloon

Play trailer Poster for Balloon 2020 1h 42m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 16 Reviews 50% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
A Tibetan family struggles against the conflicting dictates of spirituality, politics and free will under China's two-child policy.

Critics Reviews

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Wendy Ide Guardian Casts a typically wry eye over the collision between modernity and tradition in 1980s Tibet, paying particular attention to gentle comic details, delicate layers of symbolism and improbable shots of sheep being transported on motorbikes. Rated: 4/5 Oct 21, 2021 Full Review Danny Leigh Financial Times Tseden walks a subtle line - not attacking the state but putting a spotlight on the microcosmic human effects of far-off policy decisions. Rated: 4/5 Oct 21, 2021 Full Review David Jenkins Little White Lies https://lwlies.com/reviews/balloon/ Rated: 4/5 Oct 21, 2021 Full Review Jane Freebury The Canberra Times (Australia) It is a gripping drama with solid lead performances about a crazy-brave feat of courage. Rated: 3/5 Aug 18, 2022 Full Review Filipe Freitas Always Good Movies It becomes strangely moving during the peacefully elegiac third act, and it's beauty, unpretentiousness and message should be enough to appeal beyond its art house niche. Rated: 4/5 Dec 24, 2021 Full Review Edward Porter Sunday Times (UK) A quiet but strong drama with moments of fascinating visual beauty. Rated: 4/5 Oct 21, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1) audience reviews
Audience Member Predictably critically acclaimed. I am not saying it's the worst thing l have ever seen but you do have to wait until half way through the film before some sort of plot breaks out. There are some curious scenes such as a conversation between a lady doctor and embarrassed patient which we see mostly obscured by a column and when another conversation of great import takes place in front of a dung heap. If you are of a mind to watch it, find out beforehand the consequences of failing to observe the one child policy. Without that the main dramatic action makes little sense. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Balloon

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Cast & Crew

Joyland 98% 70% Joyland Watchlist TRAILER for Joyland Metronom 91% % Metronom Watchlist James White 92% 70% James White Watchlist TRAILER for James White Manglehorn 50% 25% Manglehorn Watchlist Reality 94% 66% Reality Watchlist TRAILER for Reality Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis A Tibetan family struggles against the conflicting dictates of spirituality, politics and free will under China's two-child policy.
Director
Pema Tseden
Screenwriter
Pema Tseden
Production Co
Mani Stone Pictures, September Film Distribution
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Tibetan
Runtime
1h 42m