Think about the sky and how it could serve as a canvas for an artist. This is something that becomes obvious if you have ever witnessed a hot air balloon festival where vibrant colors, designs and shapes become a moving art installation far above your head. It is not only visually dazzling but a pop culture phenomenon that has become increasingly popular in the U.S. since 1972 when the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta was officially established. Since then, many other annual events like this have become major attractions such as the Red Rock Balloon Rally in Gallup, New Mexico and the Great Reno Balloon Race in Nevada. None of these, however, are quite as fantastical or as wildly original as the secretive balloon events which are staged in Brazil, especially among the “baloeiros” (balloonists) who operate out of the favellas (working class neighborhoods) of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Balomania, a 2024 feature length documentary from Danish artist Sissel Morell Dargis, explores this renegade culture in a highly personal manner.