I watched the new film, Twisted: A Balloonamentary, last night, and was almost literally blown away by the bizarre creations and fascinating people behind "twisting" — the art of contorting balloons into a dizzying array of shapes and symbols. (The film is playing in selected cities this weekend and is already available on DVD. Watch the trailer here.) Though the first design most aspiring twisters attempt is the humble dog (requires one balloon), in this surprisingly engaging documentary, advanced balloon artists create, among many other things, a enormous flying octopus, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, multiple Jesuses, several extremely well-endowed men (in so-called "adult" twisting), a Trojan Horse, 100-foot soccer players in a field of waving green balloon grass, two full-body balloon dresses (once of which was worn by a avid twister to her wedding), and a beautiful geisha made of tiny balloon twists so perfect they look like beads (pictured). The heart-warming nature of the film was conveyed via a theme of redemption-via-twist (one man finds God in the art of making Jesus balloon sculptures, complete with balloon nails and fake blood). Such is the movie’s tagline: "Once you can make a balloon dog, you can do anything!" And the super-helpful press kit I received even included two balloons and dog-making instructions for practice at home.
NB: I did not achieve redemption. I did not even make a balloon dog. I barely made it through the film. I did not do anything but quake, down two beers, and beg a friend to come over and watch the film with me. Why? Because I have "globophobia" — a fear of balloons. I have a pretty mild case compared to some people it seems. But after a few minor freakouts, I realized that these people are pros; the chances of an accident slim. But amateur twisters, or — shudder — young children and babies playing with helium-filled latex. That’s a no-go zone for me.
To that end: Are you afraid of balloons too? (If so, let’s start a support group!) If not, what fears or phobias do you have that are triggered by shows or movies (fear of heights, explosions, blood, claustrophobia, awkward "you’re busted!" encounters) that make you cringe, change the channel, or maybe leave the room while your cruel, unphobic friends laugh at you? Let’s have it!
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While I have many fears and phobias that my friends laugh at (most notably my insane fear of cannibals), the one that really gets me when I watch tv or a movie is claustrophobia. If the character is in a small space, a really crowded space, or worst of all, a small space that is rapidly being filled with water, I have a hard time breathing. I have been known to leave the room/fast-forward/change the channels during these types of scenes.
I have a hatred for balloons more than a fear. Helium balloons freak me out because there is nothing sadder than a lone balloon floating through the sky. And all balloons freak me out because I hate getting startled by a popping balloon. They are evil. I used to date a clown (yeah, scary) who made some cool balloon creations. He made an awesome pink panther.
Yep, I have a fear of balloons too. I can’t stand one being near me and I freak out when I see people playing with them. However, I don’t have a problem watching the trailer, so I guess I am not as bad as others.
I have a horrible phobia of feet. Can’t stand them – have to leave the room/flip the channel when it shows people’s feet!
I have a very bad fear of rodents. How bad? I still haven’t see Ratatouille becasue the rats looked too realistic.
Aww, that looks like such a cute movie!! Luckily I’m not scared of balloons. I AM scared of roadkill and ventriloquist dummies. It makes it a little difficult to drive sometimes.
I’m seldom disturbed by gore in movies/television. I can watch body parts being ripped off without so much as a cringe, but any time someone whips out a needle, be it for injecting drugs intravaneously or even an innocent vaccination, I pretty much lose my mind; my hands go limp and I start violently squirming in my seat, if I haven’t already left the room/theater. It’s difficult even to talk/type about it – I literally got up from my chair and paced around for a few moments before recovering and finishing that last sentence. That’s why I’ve stayed away from movies with drug addict themes that otherwise I would’ve wanted to see, such as “Requiem for a Dream.” Bizarrely, although I’m always squeamish beforehand, getting a shot myself doesn’t really bother me, as long as I don’t dwell on it that much.
Annie, I know how you feel. I hate it when I drive past a ventriloquist’s dummy…
I am constantly mocked by my nearest and dearest for my fear of and revulsion for spare change. Small metal objects in general, really, but specifically coins. I can’t stand them – I am the only person on the planet (so my housemate tells me) who does not and will never have little piles of pennies lying around – I would be sick, I swear. I have one big glass jar in my bedroom closet behind a closed door where all my spare change goes just as quickly as I can get it there, and I have a deep, abiding affection for my debit card.
So all those cutesy little commercials about “you can buy it with the pennies from your couch!” or “you can save a million dollars with the change in your pockets!” that show a bazillion little coins rolling and stacking and boiling down the street? Absolutely horrifying – I have to change the channel. And yes, my cruel beloveds laugh like fiends.
You could recruit Joy Lass from Dead Like Me to your support group or whomever that particular fear was based on
Wait, you mean I’m not alone? Someone else, even a fictional someone, shares my brand of crazy? Please, tell me more!
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