Yesterday, on a call with my coach, she asked if I’ve ever seen The Red Balloon. It’s a 35-minute French film from 1956 that is arguably one of the finest, and deepest, children’s movies ever made.
The story is simple: a boy meets a floating red balloon that appears to have a mind of its own. The boy and the balloon “become friends” traversing the streets of a very gray and cold-looking Paris, repeatedly getting separated and then reunited. The film has barely any dialogue or story, but it managed to weave together themes of wonder, innocence, loneliness, jealousy, perseverance, and ultimately, hope.
The balloon itself is always there for the boy. It follows him wherever he goes. But, at the same time, it’s often just out of reach, to the point where it seems as if the boy isn’t exactly sure what it is or what it means. Not to get too philosophical about it, but I think of the red balloon as representing the thing we were put on Earth to have with us at all times. I suppose it could be a person, a goal, work, hobby, passions, or just a value. We chase it, we lose it, it comes back, we protect it from others, we don’t always understand it, but we know it belongs with us. It’s too big, bright, and beautiful to ever let go of.
So, what’s your red balloon?
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