International House Philadelphia: Program Guide Summer 2013 | Page 20

Saturday , August 10 at 2pm FAMILY MATINEE Red Balloon / White Mane
“ The Red Balloon and White Mane have been acclaimed throughout the world as two of the finest films ever made for — and about — children . The stories French filmmaker Albert Lamorisse tells in these sharply crafted featurettes are quite simple , yet so skillful and subtle are the techniques he utilizes that these tales of a magical balloon and a wild white stallion cut straight to the heart of a child ’ s view of the world . Though shot on actual locations , both films are fantasies — children ’ s daydreams and “ make believe ” play activities made real before the camera ’ s eye . It ’ s a world every child will recognize instinctively — and every adult will remember with pleasure .” — David Ehrenstein
Red Balloon dir . Albert Lamorisse , France , 1952 , 35mm , color , French with English subtitles , 34 min .
Newly restored on 35mm Albert Lamorisse ’ s exquisite The Red Balloon remains one of the most beloved children ’ s films of all time . In this deceptively simple , nearly wordless tale , a young boy discovers a stray balloon , which seems to have a mind of its own , on the streets of Paris . The two become inseparable , yet the world ’ s harsh realities finally interfere . With its glorious palette and allegorical purity , the Academy Award – winning The Red Balloon has enchanted movie lovers , young and old , for generations .
White Mane dir . Albert Lamorisse , France , 1952 , 35mm , b / w , French with English subtitles , 39 min .
In the south of France , in a vast plain region called the Camargue , lives White Mane , a magnificent stallion and the leader of a herd of wild horses too proud to let themselves be broken by humans . Only Folco , a young fisherman , manages to tame him . A strong friendship grows between the boy and the horse , as the two go looking for the freedom that the world of men won ’ t allow them . Long unavailable in the U . S ., this extraordinarily shot wonder from Albert Lamorisse , the director of The Red Balloon , is a work of technical sophistication and immense natural beauty .
Special discounted ticket price : $ 5 for everyone !