The Black Balloon (film)
Encyclopedia
The Black Balloon is a 2008 Australian|British AFI award
-winning dramedy feature 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
.
The film was released in Australian cinemas on 6 March 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.
) and his family move to a new home in the early 1990s and he has to start at a new school, all he wants is to fit in.
When his pregnant mother (Toni Collette
) needs to rest, 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, which in turn allows him to reconnect with Charlie in ways he never thought possible.
The Afloat! segment was cast from a group of teens and young adults whose lives are affected by autism and Asperger's Syndrome. Some of the Afloat! cast have high-functioning autism themselves, others were their siblings. This reflected the "two by two" nature of the Noah's Ark theme as well as continued the theme of siblings working together and loving one another. As you watch, you cannot tell who has autism and who does not.
. The award was accepted by Producer Tristram Miall and Director/Writer/Co-Producer Elissa Down.
Since then, The Black Balloon received numerous awards (and nominations) in Australia and at Film Festivals around the world:
"Fall at Your Feet
" is a rendition of the Neil Finn
(Crowded House
) song.
The soundtrack won 'Best Original Soundtrack' at the 2008 APRA-AGSC Screen Music Awards for Michael Yezerski, with Josh Pyke winning 'Best Original Song' for "When We Get There", which he co-wrote with Yezerski.
Songs also featuring in the film include "Better" by The Screaming Jets, "Don't Go Now" by Ratcat
, "Streets of Your Town
" by The Go Betweens, "Know You Know" by The Someloves
and Jimmy Barnes
' "Driving Wheels".
Australian Film Institute Awards
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Award, known as the AACTA Award , is an accolade presented annually by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts . The awards recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry and television industry, including directors,...
-winning dramedy feature film which stars Toni Collette
Toni Collette
Antonia "Toni" Collette is an Australian actress and musician, known for her acting work on stage, television and film as well as a secondary career as the lead singer of the band Toni Collette & the Finish....
, Rhys Wakefield
Rhys Wakefield
Rhys Wakefield is an Australian actor. He is best known for portraying the main character Thomas in the 2008 film The Black Balloon., for the 2011 film Sanctum, and portraying Lucas Holden in the long-running TV series Home and Away.-Biography:Before appearing as Lucas in Home and Away, Wakefield...
, Luke Ford
Luke Ford (actor)
Luke Ford is a Canadian-born Australian actor.-Early life:Ford was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada but raised in Sydney, Australia. He attended Parramatta Marist High School in Westmead, Sydney, and once worked at the Winston Hills Hotel, and a short stint at Universal Magazines in...
, Erik Thomson
Erik Thomson
Erik Thomson is an actor known for playing Hades in the television series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Dr. Mitch Stevens in All Saints and Dave Rafter in Packed to the Rafters...
, Gemma Ward
Gemma Ward
Gemma Louise Ward is an Australian fashion model turned actress.-Early life:Gemma Ward was born on 3 November 1987 in Perth, Western Australia, the second of four children of Gary Ward, a doctor, and Claire, a nurse. She has an older sister, Sophie , and younger twin brothers, Oscar and Henry...
as well as a cast of newcomers. It is directed by first time feature film director, Elissa Down
Elissa Down
Elissa Down is an Australian filmmaker. In 1999 and 2000 Elissa was nominated for Young Film-maker of the year at the WA Screen Awards.Her major works comprise of a number of award winning short films, Summer Angst, The Cherry Orchard, Her Outback, The Bathers, Pink Pyjamas, HMAS Unicorn and...
.
The film was released in Australian cinemas on 6 March 2008. The world premiere was at the Berlin International Film Festival
Berlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival , also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978...
in Germany in February 2008, where the film received a Crystal Bear as the best feature-length film in the Generation 14plus category.
Plot
When Thomas (Rhys WakefieldRhys Wakefield
Rhys Wakefield is an Australian actor. He is best known for portraying the main character Thomas in the 2008 film The Black Balloon., for the 2011 film Sanctum, and portraying Lucas Holden in the long-running TV series Home and Away.-Biography:Before appearing as Lucas in Home and Away, Wakefield...
) and his family move to a new home in the early 1990s and he has to start at a new school, all he wants is to fit in.
When his pregnant mother (Toni Collette
Toni Collette
Antonia "Toni" Collette is an Australian actress and musician, known for her acting work on stage, television and film as well as a secondary career as the lead singer of the band Toni Collette & the Finish....
) needs to rest, he is put in charge of his autistic older brother Charlie (Luke Ford
Luke Ford (actor)
Luke Ford is a Canadian-born Australian actor.-Early life:Ford was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada but raised in Sydney, Australia. He attended Parramatta Marist High School in Westmead, Sydney, and once worked at the Winston Hills Hotel, and a short stint at Universal Magazines in...
). Thomas, with the help of his new girlfriend Jackie (Gemma Ward
Gemma Ward
Gemma Louise Ward is an Australian fashion model turned actress.-Early life:Gemma Ward was born on 3 November 1987 in Perth, Western Australia, the second of four children of Gary Ward, a doctor, and Claire, a nurse. She has an older sister, Sophie , and younger twin brothers, Oscar and Henry...
) 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, which in turn allows him to reconnect with Charlie in ways he never thought possible.
Cast
- Rhys WakefieldRhys WakefieldRhys Wakefield is an Australian actor. He is best known for portraying the main character Thomas in the 2008 film The Black Balloon., for the 2011 film Sanctum, and portraying Lucas Holden in the long-running TV series Home and Away.-Biography:Before appearing as Lucas in Home and Away, Wakefield...
as Thomas Mollison - Luke FordLuke Ford (actor)Luke Ford is a Canadian-born Australian actor.-Early life:Ford was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada but raised in Sydney, Australia. He attended Parramatta Marist High School in Westmead, Sydney, and once worked at the Winston Hills Hotel, and a short stint at Universal Magazines in...
as Charlie Mollison - Toni ColletteToni ColletteAntonia "Toni" Collette is an Australian actress and musician, known for her acting work on stage, television and film as well as a secondary career as the lead singer of the band Toni Collette & the Finish....
as Maggie Mollison - Erik ThomsonErik ThomsonErik Thomson is an actor known for playing Hades in the television series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Dr. Mitch Stevens in All Saints and Dave Rafter in Packed to the Rafters...
as Simon Mollison - Gemma WardGemma WardGemma Louise Ward is an Australian fashion model turned actress.-Early life:Gemma Ward was born on 3 November 1987 in Perth, Western Australia, the second of four children of Gary Ward, a doctor, and Claire, a nurse. She has an older sister, Sophie , and younger twin brothers, Oscar and Henry...
as Jackie Masters - Lloyd Allison-Young as James
- Nathin Butler as Chris
- Lisa Kowalski as Sally
- Firass DiraniFirass DiraniFirass Dirani is an Australian actor known for his roles of Nick Russell, the Red Mystic Ranger on Power Rangers Mystic Force, Charlie on the 2009 Australian film The Combination, and as John Ibrahim on the 2010 series Underbelly: The Golden Mile....
as Russell - Sarah Woods as Janet
- Kieran Smith as Elephant No. 2
The Afloat! segment was cast from a group of teens and young adults whose lives are affected by autism and Asperger's Syndrome. Some of the Afloat! cast have high-functioning autism themselves, others were their siblings. This reflected the "two by two" nature of the Noah's Ark theme as well as continued the theme of siblings working together and loving one another. As you watch, you cannot tell who has autism and who does not.
Reception
The Black Balloon received positive reviews. The first weekend of release, The Black Balloon was number 10 on the Australian box office with an intake of $500,000. Rotten Tomatoes reported that, based on 19 reviews 95% of them were positive.Awards
The Black Balloon won, on 11 November 2008, the Best Children’s Feature Film in the 2008 Asia Pacific Screen AwardsAsia Pacific Screen Awards
The Asia Pacific Screen Awards is an international cultural initiative of the State Government of Queensland, Australia, through Events Queensland, to honour and promote the films, actors, directors, and cultures of Asia-Pacific to a global audience and to realise the objectives of UNESCO to...
. The award was accepted by Producer Tristram Miall and Director/Writer/Co-Producer Elissa Down.
Since then, The Black Balloon received numerous awards (and nominations) in Australia and at Film Festivals around the world:
- Winner – Don Quijote Prize, Kristiansand International Children's Festival – Norway, 2008
- Winner – Jury Grand Prix Prize (Bronze Gryphon), Arca Cinema Giovanni Award and Campania Regional Council Award, Giffoni Film FestivalGiffoni Film FestivalThe Giffoni International Film Festival is the largest children’s film festival in Europe, and possibly the World. It takes place in the little Italian town of Giffoni Valle Piana in Southern Italy, close to Salerno. Over 2,000 children attend the festival from 39 countries around the world...
, Italy 2008 - Winner – Best Direction in a Feature Film – Australian Directors Guild (ADG) Awards, Australia 2008
- Winner – Best Original Screenplay – Australian Writers' Guild (AWGIE) Awards, 2008
- Winner – Movie of the Year and Star of the Year (Gemma Ward) – Australian International Movie Convention's box office achievement awards – Australia 2008
- Winner – RoC Gold Standard in Filmmaking – Hamptons International Film FestivalHamptons International Film FestivalHamptons International Film Festival was founded to provide a forum for independent filmmakers from around the world to express their vision. The Festival is traditionally held for five days in mid-October in theatre venues from Montauk to Southampton and attracts roughly 15,000 visitors annually...
, United States, 2008 - Winner – Best Children's Feature – Asia Pacific Screen Awards, Australia 2008
- Winner – Audience Award St Tropez Cinema des Antipodes, France 2008
- Winner – Best Original Song ("When We Get There") and Best Soundtrack Album at Australian Screen Music AwardsAPRA AwardsThe APRA Music Awards are several award ceremonies run in Australia and New Zealand by Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually....
, Australia 2008 - Winner – Community Service Prize – ASPECT Art Awards, 2008
- Winner – Best Script, Western Australia Premier's Book Awards, 2008
- Winner – Best FilmAustralian Film Institute Award for Best FilmThis page lists the winners and nominees for the AACTA Award for Best Film since its institution in 1958. The award is presented annually by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts , an organisation which promotes the Australian film industry. Since the 1958 Australian Film Awards the...
, Best DirectionAustralian Film Institute Award for Best DirectionThe Australian Film Institute Award for Best Direction is an award in the annual Australian Film Institute Awards.-Previous winners:*1971 – Homesdale *1972 – Stork...
, Best ScriptAustralian Film Institute Award for Best ScreenplayThe Australian Film Institute Award for Best Screenplay is an award in the annual Australian Film Institute Awards. It has been awarded annually since 1976 as a joint category until 1993 when the award was separated into Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay...
, Best Actress in a Supporting RoleAustralian Film Institute Award for Best Actress in a Supporting RoleThe Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role is an award in the annual Australian Film Institute Awards. It has been awarded annually since 1976.-Previous winners:*1976: Melissa Jaffer – Caddie...
, Best Actor in a Supporting RoleAustralian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Supporting RoleThe Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role is an award in the annual Australian Film Institute Awards. It has been awarded annually since 1974.-Previous winners:*1974: Barry Humphries – The Great McCarthy...
, Best EditingAustralian Film Institute Award for Best Achievement in EditingThe Australian Film Institute Award for Best Achievement in Editing is an award in the annual Australian Film Institute Awards. It has been awarded annually since 1967.-Previous winners:*1967: Cardin in Australia...
at the AFIs 2008 - Winner – Best Australian Film, Australian Film Critics AssociationAustralian Film Critics AssociationThe Australian Film Critics Association or AFCA is an Australian film critic organisation.-History:Formed in 1996, AFCA began as the Melbourne Film Critics’ Forum, expanding to a national organisation in 2004...
awards, 2008 - Nominated – 10 Inside Film (IF) AwardsInside Film AwardsThe Inside Film Awards is an annual awards ceremony and broadcast platform for the Australian film industry, a format created by Australian Producer Andrew Dillon...
including Best Film, Best Director, Best Script, Best Actor, Best Actress, Australia 2008 - Nominated – 11 Australian Film Institute (AFI) AwardsAustralian Film Institute AwardsThe Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Award, known as the AACTA Award , is an accolade presented annually by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts . The awards recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry and television industry, including directors,...
including Best Film, Best Director, Best Script, Best Lead Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Australia 2008 - Nominated – Best Screenplay, New South Wales Premier's Awards, 2008
Filming locations
- Holsworthy Public School, NSW
- Bardia Parade, Holsworthy, NSW
- University of Western Sydney Hawkesbury campus Swimming Pool, NSW
- Granville Performance Hall, NSW
- Wattamolla Lagoon, NSW
Soundtrack
- "When We Get There" – Josh PykeJosh PykeJosh Pyke is an Australian singer-songwriting musician.-Beginnings and Feeding the Wolves :Josh Pyke was in his first band by age 12 and played his first performance in front of 650 parents and students at his primary school graduation. Playing guitar and initial song writing efforts came aged 14...
- "Even" – Simon Day (RatcatRatcatRatcat were an Australian indie rock band of the late 1980s and early 1990s fronted by vocalist Simon Day. Their combination of indie pop songwriting and energetic punk-style guitar won them fans from both the indie and skate-punk communities.-Waterfront:...
) - "Heartbreak Hill" – Michael Yezerski
- "The Black Balloon Theme" – Michael Yezerski
- "Bath Time" / "Bullet Boy" – Michael Yezerski
- "In The Poo" / "The Bus" – Michael Yezerski
- "The Lolly" – Michael Yezerski
- "A New Game" / "Water Babies" – Michael Yezerski
- "Learning To Swim" – Michael Yezerski
- "The Kiss" – Michael Yezerski
- "The School Fight" – Michael Yezerski
- "Fall At Your Feet" – Glenn RichardsGlenn RichardsGlenn Anthony Richards is the mainstay guitarist singer-songwriter for the Australian rock band Augie March.-Early years:Richards was born in Shepparton, Victoria...
(Augie MarchAugie MarchAugie March are an Australian indie/pop rock band. Formed in 1996 in Shepparton, Victoria, the band currently consists of vocalist and rhythm guitarist Glenn Richards, lead guitarist Adam Donovan, bassist Edmondo Ammendola, drummer David Williams, and keyboardist Kiernan Box...
) - "Aftermath" – Michael Yezerski
- "The Walk Home" – Michael Yezerski
- "The Greatest ACT In History" – David Campbell, Bert Labonte
- "Afloat! The Conga" – Claire McCarthyClaire McCarthyClaire McCarthy is an Australian filmmaker, screenwriter, producer and visual artist. She is an internationally successful film director who divides her time between Sydney and Los Angeles.-Early life:...
, Miriam Rihani, Afro Moses
"Fall at Your Feet
Fall at Your Feet
"Fall at Your Feet" is a 1991 song by rock group Crowded House from their 1991 album Woodface. It is the only song written solely by the group's leader Neil Finn from Woodface that was released as a single as all other singles from the album were cowritten by Finn with his brother Tim Finn...
" is a rendition of the Neil Finn
Neil Finn
Neil Mullane Finn, OBE is a New Zealand Pop recording artist. Along with his brother Tim Finn, he was the co-frontman for Split Enz and is now frontman for Crowded House...
(Crowded House
Crowded House
Crowded House are a rock band, formed in Melbourne, Australia and led by New Zealand singer-songwriter Neil Finn. Finn is the primary songwriter and creative director of the band, having led it through several incarnations, drawing members from New Zealand , Australia and the United States...
) song.
The soundtrack won 'Best Original Soundtrack' at the 2008 APRA-AGSC Screen Music Awards for Michael Yezerski, with Josh Pyke winning 'Best Original Song' for "When We Get There", which he co-wrote with Yezerski.
Songs also featuring in the film include "Better" by The Screaming Jets, "Don't Go Now" by Ratcat
Ratcat
Ratcat were an Australian indie rock band of the late 1980s and early 1990s fronted by vocalist Simon Day. Their combination of indie pop songwriting and energetic punk-style guitar won them fans from both the indie and skate-punk communities.-Waterfront:...
, "Streets of Your Town
Streets of your town
"Streets Of Your Town" was a single by Australian indie group The Go-Betweens, from their 1988 album, 16 Lovers Lane. Featuring polished production, a prominent backing vocal by Amanda Brown and a guitar solo by bassist John Willsteed, "Streets of Your Town" is one of the band's most recognised...
" by The Go Betweens, "Know You Know" by The Someloves
The Someloves
The Someloves, were a alternative rock band from Perth, Western Australia. They were noted for their 1980s power-pop underground style.-Biography:...
and Jimmy Barnes
Jimmy Barnes
James Dixon Swan , better known as Jimmy Barnes, is a Scottish-born Australian rock singer-songwriter. His father Jim Swan was a prizefighter and his older brother John Swan is also a rock singer. It was actually John who had encouraged and taught Jim how to sing as he wasn't really interested at...
' "Driving Wheels".
External links
- Official site
- The Black Balloon at ICON Entertainment