No Strings Attached Short Film

No Strings Attached... when the baggage of her past takes the form of an indestructible balloon, Faith must face her demons and learn to let it go, or risk living forever with a balloon attached to her wrist. The story follows Faith (the human) as she learns to cope with Bal (the balloon), a metaphorical representation of the baggage of her past. This film serves as a starting point for the discussion of mental health representation in film.

Follow Our Journey!

Genre: Experimental Fantasy (Short)

Faith (The Human): Early 20s, stressed, depressed, and a hot mess. Unable to let go of the past. Must learn to move forward to let Bal go.

Bal (The Balloon): Bal, like your pal. Your friendly metaphorical baggage of your past balloon. Represents the past and adjusts color as Faith completes the trials.

Part One: Metaphorical Baggage Faith sits on a cliff contemplating whether or not to jump. She decides not to, but proceeds to explain all the reasons why she understands the appeal. It is then revealed that she isn't alone. In fact, introducing Bal. Your friendly metaphorical baggage of the past balloon, who is conveniently, and permanently, attached to Faith. No matter what she does, Bal will not go away. Pretty soon Bal invites some friends into Faith's life. She tries to ignore it until one day she snaps.

Part Two: Welcome to the Balloon Trials Faith falls into the Balloon Trials, a manifestation of the thoughts plaguing her mind. Once in the trials she must confront each of the balloons waiting for her, think of it as overcoming a trauma. But she isn't ready for it. Alone and scared, she panics after her first attempt to solve the trial fails. She tries to escape but finds Bal in the middle of the abyss. Bal convinces her to try again and she reenters the Balloon Trials, this time willing to give closure a shot. She works her way through four trials: Blue/Family, Purple/Friendship, Orange/Health, and Green/Relationship. The last trial, Black/Self, forces her to confront everything at once. If she wants to leave the Balloon trials and get Bal back then she has to let go.

Part Three: Chasing Sunsets Faith is able to confront her past, transforming the balloon back into Bal. Upon reflection, shown through a montage, she comes to acknowledge the lessons and move forward. She escapes the balloon trials and reappears next to Bal on the cliff from the beginning. In this moment she is at peace. Chasing sunsets. Until the next day.