Balloon (short film)
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Balloon is a 2019 live-action short film written and directed by Jeremy Merrifield and produced by Dream Three Films.[1][2][3] It stars Jonah Beres and Paul Scheer and explores gender stereotypes and toxic masculinity associated with boyhood.[4][5][6]
Balloon premiered at the Palm Springs International ShortFest.[7] The film qualified for the Oscars by winning the Grand Prix at Hollyshorts in 2019[8][9] and was nominated for a Student Academy Award.[5] The short film won both Best Drama Series and The Seymour Bricker Humanitarian Award at The Television Academy’s 40th annual College Television Awards.[10]
Plot[edit]
Junior high schooler, Sam Wheeler, wants to do nothing more than keep his head down, get through the day, and hang out with his friend Adam. All of that changes in the aftermath of a fight with Jason Kingsley as their classmates continuously share a recording of the fight online and send Sam derisive digital messages. As a consequence, Adam, too, begins to pull away. While Sam is still trying to suppress the rage, he discovers he has a latent super-ability. Backed into a corner and possessing the power to do something about it, the fate of Sam’s future hangs in the balance of his choice.[11][5]
Reception[edit]
IndieWire compared the film to Joker, saying where that film "explores the genesis of a villain," Balloon "depicts the making of a hero," while describing it as "emotionally vivid and delicately rendered" and calling it "a timely critique of the superhero mythos, offering an alternative world that prizes softness and sensitivity over brute strength." The Independent Critic called Balloon "one of the best short films of 2019."[12][6]
Accolades[edit]
| Year | Presenter/Festival | Award/Ceremony | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | College Television Awards | Best Drama Series | Won[10] |
| 2020 | College Television Awards | Seymour Bricker Humanitarian Award | Won[10] |
| 2019 | HollyShorts Feilm Festival | Grand Prix (Oscar Qualifying) | Won[13] |
| 2019 | New Orleans Film Festival | Audience Award / Jury Special Mention | Won[14] |
| 2019 | Napa Valley Film Festival | Best Narrative Short | Won[15] |
| 2019 | Student Academy Awards | Best Narrative (Domestic) | Nominated[5] |
| 2019 | Palm Springs International Short Fest | Best Student Short | Nominated[7] |
| 2019 | American Society of Cinematographers | Heritage Award | Nominated[16] |
References[edit]
- ^ "BALLOON | Dream Three Films". Dream Three. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
- ^ "Balloon by Jeremy Merrifield | Drama". Directors Notes. 2019-11-07. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
- ^ "5 Things I Learned While Making My AFI Thesis Film". No Film School. 2019-08-23. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
- ^ ""BALLOON" Is A Vital Exploration Of Toxic Masculinity". What We Seee. 2019-11-09. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
- ^ a b c d Davidson, Douglas (2019-08-27). "Watch the birth of a modern superhero in 2019 Student Academy Award nominee short film "Balloon"". Elements of Madness. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
- ^ a b "The Independent Critic - "Balloon" is One of the Best Short Films of 2019". www.theindependentcritic.com. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
- ^ a b "Balloon | Palm Springs International Film Festival". www.psfilmfest.org. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
- ^ "Balloon by Jeremy Merrifield | Drama Short Film". Short of the Week. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
- ^ "Meet the 2019 Student Academy Awards Finalists". Oscars.org | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 2019-08-08. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
- ^ a b c Hipes, Patrick (2020-05-31). "40th College Television Awards Winners Unveiled". Deadline. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
- ^ "Altruistic Models, Recovering Veterans, Looney Tunes and More at TheWrap's Short Film Showcase". TheWrap. 2019-12-05. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
- ^ Dry, Jude (2019-10-15). "Queer Short With Oscar Prospects Tackles Toxic Masculinity and Parallels 'Joker' — Watch". IndieWire. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
- ^ "'Balloon,' 'The Orphan' and 'Sister' Win Oscar-Qualifying Awards at HollyShorts Film Festival". TheWrap. 2019-08-18. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
- ^ "#NOFF2019 Audience Award Winners Announced". New Orleans Film Society. 2019-10-29. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
- ^ "2019 Napa Valley Film Festival Announces Festival Award Winners". NVFF • NOV 10 - 14. 2019-11-17. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
- ^ "ASC Selects 2019 Student Heritage Awards Nominees - The American Society of Cinematographers". theasc.com. Retrieved 2020-08-21.