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