Paradise

Paraíso (película de 2016)

2016 · Russia, Germany · 130 min

Director: Andrei Konchalovsky
Screenplay: Andrei Konchalovsky
Producer: Andrei Konchalovsky
Music: Sergey Shustitsky
Cinematography: Aleksandr Simonov

Awards: · 1 nominations

What the critics say

70 % Rotten Tomatoes positive reviews

Cast

Peter Kurth

Viktor Sukhorukov

Julia Vysotskaya

Philippe Duquesne

What it is about

During the Second World War, three people whose paths intersect in France and Germany become caught in a web of loyalties and desires. Olga, an aristocratic Russian émigré and member of the French Resistance, is arrested for hiding Jewish children from Nazi roundups. Her case is handled by Jules, a French police official who collaborates with the occupiers and becomes interested in her, while Helmut, a senior SS officer, reappears in her life after the arrest. The film follows how these relationships grow strange and painful, and how the prisoner gradually loses hope of escaping her situation.

How it was made

A Russian and German co-production, the film was written, produced and directed by Andrei Konchalovsky, who also wrote the screenplay. Aleksandr Simonov handled the cinematography and Sergey Shustitsky composed the music. Yuliya Vysotskaya plays Olga, Christian Clauß plays Helmut and Philippe Duquesne plays Jules, supported by Peter Kurth, Jakob Diehl, Viktor Sukhorukov as Heinrich Himmler, and Vera Voronkova. The film takes a restrained approach, focusing on personal bonds rather than battle. It premiered at the Venice International Film Festival, where it competed for the Golden Lion and Konchalovsky won the Silver Lion for Best Director.

Reception and legacy

Critical response was mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes it holds a 70% approval rating from 23 reviews, with an average of 7.5 out of 10, while Metacritic gives it 52 out of 100 based on seven critics, indicating mixed or average reviews. Some commentators praise its dramatic force but note that its story may feel familiar to viewers who have seen other Holocaust-set dramas. It was selected as Russia's entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Academy Awards, but was not nominated, and it appeared on the nine-film shortlist in December 2016.