Reel Life, Real Ideas: Movies and more…

Two beautiful restorations of Albert amorisse’s children’s classics, The Red Balloon and the White Mane start their short, holiday season run today (Thursday) at 4pm.

Together running 73 minutes, both films’ enthralled my almost 3 year old daughter.

The Red Balloon’s story was one I was requested to repeat many times for her; vibrant red balloon takes on the persona of a schoolboy’s friend, which invokes the wrath and jealously of his classmates. Balloon solidarity ends this film on a very uplifting note!

White Mane is explicit about our culture’s obsession with control over others. Also gorgeous in its black & white form, it gives a glimpse into a world before colonization, at least in France. Our heroes prevail by sailing away to from it all to enjoy a life of peace. No wonder the capitalist machine tries to leave no stone unturned…

This duo continue on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Dec 30) at both 4 and 7pm…see www.cinematheque.bc.ca for more info.