'Baloeiros' defy danger & law to create Brazil's beautiful, traditional- & illegal- folk art balloons, in a new 4-part short documentary series.

Brazil is divided: this polarizing craft is revered by some, repulsed by others. Though the art is something everyone enjoyed as children, it’s now considered highly illegal. The craft has grown from the small festival balloons made for children to the enormously complex ones of today— some reaching 200 feet tall.

All over Brazil, these underground artists paint the skies. Carefully craft their balloons in secret, they often take months or even years to perfect a single balloon before launch. By carefully calculating cargo size, weighing out payloads, tracking weather patterns and more, many Baloeiros now understand how to minimize and potentially even eliminate the possibility of an accident.

The artists are in constant danger of being arrested, beaten and imprisoned by the authorities. Still, nothing stops the Baloeiros from launching their art.