Overview
A young girl embarks on a whimsical quest for the perfect goldfish, leading to unexpected challenges and heartwarming moments.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- gentle
- warm
- poignant
- family viewing
- quiet afternoon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's simple but powerfully effective child-centered story, gentle realism, and ability to reveal familiar surroundings from a fresh perspective.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Razieh's attempts to buy the preferred goldfish transform a routine New Year errand into an emotionally charged adventure seen through her understanding.
Razieh's last bit of money drives the journey after it is lost and becomes tantalizingly inaccessible.
The film follows children through familiar surroundings and small social encounters, creating tension from ordinary circumstances.
Razieh's desire for a fat goldfish is directly tied to the Iranian New Year celebration and the family's household traditions.
Films like The White Balloon, and why
Where Is the Friend's Home?
child-centered storytelling, everyday obstacles, humane realism, and gentle social observation
The Bicycle Thieves
poignant neorealist drama focused on children navigating ordinary life with emotional immediacy
Kes
intimate coming-of-age perspective, understated tension, and compassionate observation of childhood independence
The Spirit of the Beehive
simple child-led premise expanded into warm, quietly suspenseful human drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Jafar Panahi
- Release Date
- 1995-01-02
- Runtime
- 85 min
- Rating
- 7.5 / 10 (127)
Cast
- Aida Mohammadkhani
- Mohsen Kafili
- Fereshteh Sadr Orafaee
- Anna Borkowska
- Mohammad Shahani
- Mohammad Bakhtiar
- Aliasghar Smadi
- Hamidreza Tahery
- Asghar Barzegar
- Hasan Neamotolahi
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Criterion Channel
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The White Balloon about?
- A determined Iranian girl turns a quest for the perfect New Year goldfish into a tender, quietly suspenseful journey through everyday obstacles.
- What is The White Balloon like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The White Balloon as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The White Balloon violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The White Balloon.
- What did critics think of The White Balloon?
- Critics broadly praised the film's simple but powerfully effective child-centered story, gentle realism, and ability to reveal familiar surroundings from a fresh perspective.
- Which films are like The White Balloon?
- Films with a similar feel include Where Is the Friend's Home?, The Bicycle Thieves, Kes, and The Spirit of the Beehive.
- How long is The White Balloon?
- The White Balloon runs 85 minutes.
- Where can I watch The White Balloon?
- In United States, The White Balloon streams on Criterion Channel.
