Paradise Now (DVD) > Reviews

Advantages: Superb acting; low key realism; Lack of prejudice
Disadvantages: None (unless you hate reading subtitles)

...it was for me with Paradise Now, a film I knew nothing about, other than a website blurb about two potential suicide bombers. Co-written and directed by Hany Abu-Assad this is a story set within the West bank in Palestine, with two friends, Said and Khaled, being offered their chance of martyrdom (hence 'Paradise Now') by carrying out a suicide mission in Tel Aviv. Both the men react to the invitation with a mixture of relief, confusion and ... Read review

Advantages: sublime
Disadvantages: room for more characters to be woven in

A well crafted portrayal on the frighteningly casual nature of Jihad and its workings in the modern day Middle East. The fashion in which the characters are called upon , to their goal, illustrates how such terrorist acts perceived as horrific in the west are viewed as needed and part of an otherness of impending destiny in such areas as the West Bank, in this case. The acting is perfectly understated, further enhancing the message this film sends. ... Read review