Albert Lamorisse

1922 – 1970

Who they are

Born: 13 January 1922, Paris, France
Died: 2 June 1970
Known for: The Red Balloon, White Mane, Bim, the Little Donkey

Albert Lamorisse (1922–1970) was a French director and writer known for poetic, child-centred short films. The Red Balloon made him internationally famous. He also invented the board game Risk. He died in a helicopter crash while filming a documentary in Iran.

Where to start

The Red Balloon (1956)Full guide
His best-known film, a wordless fable about a boy and a balloon that won major international prizes.
White Mane (1953)In the library
Short fable about a boy and a wild stallion in the Camargue that established his reputation.
Bim, the Little Donkey (1951)Log in to add it to the library
Early short about a boy and his donkey, made before his breakthrough with White Mane.
Stowaway in the Sky (1960)Log in to add it to the library
Balloon-flight adventure that revisited his love of aerial imagery in a longer format.
The Lovers' Wind (1978)Log in to add it to the library
Aerial documentary of Iran he was making when he died; completed by his family and released posthumously.

Their films in the library

Awards

1956 Cannes Film Festival: Palme d'Or for short film (The Red Balloon)
1956 Academy Award: Best Original Screenplay (The Red Balloon)

The full list · 9

1951Bim, the Little DonkeyLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1953White ManeLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1956The Red BalloonLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1960Stowaway in the SkyLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1965Circus AngelLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1967VersaillesLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1971Paris Jamais VuLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1978The Lovers' WindLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2008My Father Was a Red Balloon: Albert Lamorisse's Life StoryLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self (archival footage)

Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.