It's possible to keep that balloon nearby, even long after we've let go of the string. By Stephanie Zacharek Stephanie Zacharek is a senior writer for Salon Arts & Entertainment.

Flight of the Red Balloon: Drama. Starring Juliette Binoche, Simon Iteanu and Song Fang. Directed by Hou Hsiao-Hsien. In French with English subtitles. (Not rated. 113 minutes. At Bay Area ...

When I was younger, my mom showed me an old French movie called The Red Balloon.So many years later, I don’t remember much of the movie’s plot—I think he lost the balloon in the end—but certain images ...

Then we see it, a bright red globe dangling on a white string, just as a similar such object floated and danced (in a more friendly manner toward the boy) in Albert Lamorisse's classic 1956 short ...

The String Theatre Marionettes, London, put up a spectacular show. The audience were fascinated by the boy and his balloon.