Hippodrome Theatre: Black Balloon @The Hipp Cinema Mar 13-19

The Black Balloon

March 13th - March 19th

Best Film, Best Direction, Best Editing, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Australian Film Institute
Feature Film - Original, Australian Writers' Guild
Generation 14plus - Best Feature Film, Berlin International Film Festival
Distinguished Achievement Award - Female Feature Director, Hamptons International Film Festival
Box Office Achievement, IF Awards
Best Original Song, Best Soundtrack Album, Screen Music Awards, Australia

100% Top Critics rating! — Rottentomatoes.com

"This unblinking family drama packs a visceral punch. Thomas' journey toward acceptance is blessedly free of noble lessons and filled with real people." — LA Times

"Ms. Collette’s Maggie is the film's prime mover. This wonderful Australian actress, who hasn't a shred of vanity, virtually disappears into the complicated characters she plays, and Maggie is one of the strongest." — NY Times

"Young love triumphs in a terrific Australian indie that deals with autism in an authentic, unsentimental way." — Hollywood Reporter

It’s not easy being Thomas. He’s turning sixteen; and moving into a new house, and school. His older brother Charlie announces their arrival to the neighbours by banging a wooden spoon and wailing on the front lawn. Charlie doesn’t speak. He’s autistic and has ADD. He’s also unpredictable, sometimes unmanageable, and often disgusting. Thomas hates his brother but wishes he didn’t. All he wants to do is to fit in, but when his pregnant mother (Toni Collette) has to take things easy, he is put in charge of his autistic older brother, Charlie. Thomas, with the help of his new girlfriend, Jackie, then faces his biggest challenge yet. Charlie's unusual antics take Thomas on an emotional journey that causes pent-up frustrations towards his brother to pour out. 97 min/ 2008-Australia-UK/ PG13
[Watch the trailer]