Balomania

Director: Sissel Morell Dargis
2023 In distribution
94min

Balomania is a Polar Star Films’ production in coproduction with House of Real.

Synopsis

Balomania reveals a secret society of hot air balloon makers in Brazil’s favelas who are willing to sacrifice everything in order to fly their illegal creations, some up to 70 meters high, with fireworks.

The film’s director is initiated into the balloon brotherhood under the tutelage of legendary balloon creators like Jabá and balloon “hunters” including Ton. She forms her own complicated relationships with these extraordinary flying objects and their makers.

Balomania take us on a surreal and intimate journey in a country also confronting socio-economic decline and political collapse. It calls into question our preconceived ideas of favela communities, showing the true power of art.

Key team

Direction and cinematography: Sissel Morell Dargis
Polar Star Films’ producers: Carles Brugueras, Marieke van den Bersselaar
House of Real’s producers (DK): Jesper Jack, Marie Schmidt

Festivals

CPH:DOX 2024 – World Premiere
Visions du Réel 2024 – “Grand Angle” program
DocsBarcelona 2024 – Spanish Premiere (Docs&Pearls, official selection)
Syndey Film Festival 2024 – “International Documentaries” program
FilmFest Müncehn 2024
Docs Agains Gravity 2024 – “Places” section