Surviving Paradise

Surviving Paradise , فيلم سينمايي راز بهشت

Surviving Paradise, فيلم سينمايي راز بهشت movie poster
Directed by Kamshad Kooshan
Produced by Kamshad Kooshan
Bahman Maghsoudlou
Written by Kamshad Kooshan
Starring Shohreh Aghdashloo
Kian Abedini
Lauren Parissa Abedini
Joe Alvarez
Music by Richard Herrera Lopez
Cinematography Paul Mayne
Edited by Rick LeCompte
Distributed by New Light Entertainment LLC (USA)
Release dates
 June, 2000
Running time
 86 min.
Country USA
Language English

Surviving Paradise is a 2001 American Family Adventure/drama film written & directed by Kamshad Kooshan. With three months of theatrical release in Major theaters in Southern California and San Francisco Bay Area, it is considered to be the First English Language Iranian-American film distributed in the United States. This film is believed to be one of the first vehicles in introducing the Oscar Nominated star, Shohreh Aghdashloo to Hollywood resulting in her being selected for "House of Sand & Fog" acting opposite Ben Kingsley and later becoming nominated for an Oscar.

The story concerns the struggles of two newly arrived Iranian Brother & Sister in the rough & better neighborhoods of Los Angeles.

Short SYNOPSIS

When the 10-year-old boy Sam and his younger sister Sara arrived in Los Angeles with their mother, the only thing on their mind was to go to Disneyland. But things take a wrong turn, when their mother is kidnapped by three armed Mafias. Realizing that the Police can't find their uncle, their only relative in town in time, these two helpless children take on the vast and unforgiving streets of Los Angeles to find him themselves.

On their way they encounter a colorful cast of characters and frightening situations where they are tested of their humanity and endurance but more importantly they discover about themselves, that the best quality is to survive with humanity.

Directors Note

As an immigrant who came to a new home in the United States when I was 16 years old, I wanted to tell a simple story for children, to be both inspired and challenged by, where it is watch-able by both the parents and their children, is not too violent by making the hitmen a bit funny and bungling. My hope is that even though some stereotypes are used, children (and their parents) are encouraged to think about such issues as diversity, tolerance, resilience and finally dialogue as a means of conflict resolution.

Principal Cast

Critical Reception

Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

Brian Sebastian, Movie Reviews & More

Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Hollywood Reporter Magazine

Gerri Garner, American Radio Network

Emillia Hwang, Daily Bruin

Awards and Festivals

References

    http://www.survivingparadise.net/English_About.html

    External links