Paradise Now

"PARADISE NOW" is the story of two young Palestinian men as they embark upon what may be the last 48 hours of their lives. On a typical day in the West Bank city of Nablus, where daily life grinds on amidst crushing poverty and the occasional rocket blast, we meet two childhood best friends, Saïd (Kais Nashef) and Khaled (Ali Suliman), who pass time drinking tea, smoking a hookah, and working dead-end menial jobs as auto mechanics.

Saïd's day takes a turn for the better when a beautiful young woman named Suha (Lubna Azabal) brings her car in for repairs. From their spirited interaction, it is apparent that there is a budding romance growing between them.

Saïd is approached by middle-aged Jamal (Amer Hlehel), a point man for an unnamed Palestinian organization, who informs Saïd that he and Khaled have been chosen to carry out a strike in Tel Aviv. 

Saïd and Khaled spend a last night at home -- although they must keep their impending mission secret even from their families. During the night Saïd sneaks off to see Suha one last time. Suha's moderate views, having been educated in Europe, and Saïd's burgeoning conflicted conscience cause him to stop short of explaining why he has come to say good-bye.

The following day, Saïd and Khaled are lead to a hole in the fence that surrounds Nablus, where they are to meet a driver who will take them to Tel Aviv. But here the plan goes wrong, and Saïd and Khaled are separated.

"PARADISE NOW" follows two Palestinian childhood friends who have been recruited for a strike on Tel Aviv and focuses on their last days together..



Cast

Said Kais Nashif

Khaled Ali Suleiman

Suha Lubna Azabal

Jamal Amer Hilehel

Mother Hiyam Abbas

Abu-Karem Ashraf Barhoum



Crew

Directed by Hany Abu-Assad

Produced by Bero Bayer, Amir Harel, Gerhard Meixner, Roman Paul, Hengameh Panahi

Director of Photography Antoine Heberle

Editor Sander Vos

Line Producer Peter Hermann

Executive Producer Hamoudi Buqai

Casting Lara Zoabi

Production Designer Olivier Meidinger

Costumes Walid Mawed‍ ‍

Make up Friderike  Weber

Sound Design Uve Haussig

Details

Drama, 90 min

35 mm

Languages Arabic

Subtitles English/ Hebrew

Arte, EURIMAGES, Dutch Film Fonds, Filmstiftung Northein Westfalen, Medien board, MEDIA, World Cinema Fund, Rultur Stiftung Des Bundes,  Celluloid Dreams

 Nominee for the Best Foreign Language Film – The annual American Academy Award 2006    

Best Foreign Language Film Award – Golden Globe Award 2006 

Best Foreign Language Film Award –  Independent Spirit Award2006 

Berlin Film Festival 2005 – Official Competition, 2005:

Blue Angel Award – Best European Film / Audience Prize 

Amnesty International Award  

Golden Calf Award - Best DUTCH Film 2005

Official Selection – Toronto International Film Festival 2005

Best Feature Film 3 continent Film Festival South Africa 2005   


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