Release date: 2 February 2009
Certificate: UK 15 / Eire 15
Running time: 93 minutes
Official UK website: www.iconfilm.co.uk/blackballoon


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AWARD WINNER – THE BLACK BALLOON
50th Australian Film Institute (AFI) Awards
Best Film
Best Direction
Best Original Screenplay
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor

The Berlin International Film Festival
Best Feature Film

The Australian Writer’s Guild
Best Original Feature Film

Icon Home Entertainment presents an uplifting and compelling story of growing up, fitting in and discovering love in the critically acclaimed THE BLACK BALLOON, available to buy and rent on DVD from 2 February 2009.

Winning seven awards including Best Film, Best Direction, Best Original Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress and Best Supporting Actor at the 50th Australian Film Institute (AFI) Awards this December as well as Best Feature Film at The Berlin International Film Festival and Best Original Feature Film at The Australian Writer’s Guild, The Black Balloon is a poignant tale of a boy as he struggles to accept his family, which was inspired by the relatives of director Elissa Down.

When Thomas (Rhys Wakefield) and his family move to a new home and he has to start at a new school, all he wants is to fit in. When his pregnant mother (Toni Collette – Little Miss Sunshine, About A Boy) has to take things easy, his father Simon (Erik Thomson) puts him in charge of his autistic older brother Charlie (Luke Ford – Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor). 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 causes his pent-up frustrations about his brother to pour out – in a story that is funny, confronting, and ultimately heart-warming.

The Black Balloon is a deeply moving tale of love and kindness that will appeal to those who liked What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Little Miss Sunshine and About A Boy.

The Black Balloon