Balomania

In the heart of Brazil’s favelas, hot air balloon construction is a treasured and highly competitive art form. But authorities have made it illegal, driving baloeiros underground. Filmmaker Sissel Morell Dargis gains rare access to this secret world to witness the sacrifice and obsession required to build balloons that reach over 70 meters high and take over 100 people to launch into the sky. As she embarks on a wild ride, Dargis’ film provides an intimate look at the baloeiro community, challenging Brazil’s authorities’ portrayal of baloeiros as criminals. The film reveals a story of art, freedom, and a community that defies stereotypes about gang life and favelas.