Rent Paradise Now (2006)

Scary Movie - Paradise Now review by Kurtz

The blurb says “a plea for peace”, but giving one of the would-be bombers an articulate five minute speech towards the end of the movie on why he wants to go through with the plan is a risky strategy at least given the number of impressionable types out there. The film is chilling in its depiction of the preparation of the bombers- the rituals, the “martyr videos” and the icy calm that descends on the pair as they get close to their mission. The director tries to be even-handed; not only does he make clear the indignities of life on the occupied West Bank, the checkpoints, the arbitrary road closures and the constant presence of heavily armed soldiers, but he also shows the warmth of family life that the bombers are sacrificing for paradise and a piece of bloody history.

Trapped Without an Exit - Paradise Now review by griggs

I’m sure Paradise Now is a better film than the version I. Unfortunately, it was dubbed—with no option to change it—and also had burnt-in subtitles that didn’t match the dialogue. So, I spent most of the film trying to make sense of two clashing scripts at once. Not ideal.

Even so, there’s a lot here that’s clearly powerful. The preparation scenes are tense and eerie—the suits, the videos, the rehearsed goodbyes—all done with an unsettling calm. You can feel the claustrophobia of life in the West Bank, with its checkpoints and constant surveillance. The film does try to show the humanity behind the horror, and I respect that. I wish I could’ve experienced it properly without the distractions of the worst dub-sub combo I’ve ever seen.

A real insight - Paradise Now review by JD

I thought it was a thought provoking way of showing the Palestine / Israeli conflict. it is shown through the eyes of extremist Palestinians with whom the film tries to provoke you to empathise. It works, these two suicide bombers are both credible as extremists and are likeable with intriguing personalities. The poverty and oppression of the two central characters is well depicted with some interesting indoor scenes. The fantastic wealth in Tel Aviv is contrasting and serves to heighten the tension of the inevitable climax of the film which is done in a memorable way (like the last scene in Black Adder goes forth is memorable).