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 (US)
Release date
  • June 2000 (2000-06)
Running time
 86 minutes
Country United States
Language English

Surviving Paradise is a 2001 American family adventure/drama film written and 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 and sister in the rough & better neighborhoods of Los Angeles.

Plot

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.

Cast

  • Shohreh Aghdashloo ..... Pari
  • Kian Abedini ..... Sam
  • Lauren Parissa Abedini ..... Sara
  • Joe Alvarez ..... Mr. F
  • David Jay Barry ..... Mr. A
  • David Wissak ..... Mr. Z
  • Otis Freeman ..... Lou
  • Vahik Pirhamzei ..... Mo

Critical reception

  • "Inspired … Most Appealing"

Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

  • “The Performances Are Superb"

Brian Sebastian, Movie Reviews & More

  • " “Wonder Filled!”

Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

  • "Heroic"

The Hollywood Reporter magazine

  • "A Surprisingly Cleaver Film … "A Richly Rewarding Story … "A Pleasant Family Treat"

Gerri Garner, American Radio Network

  • "A Fresh Break From Ritualistic Blockbuster Brain Damage … A Refreshing View of Diversity … Beautiful Episodes of idealistic Equality”"

Emillia Hwang, Daily Bruin

Awards and festivals

  • New York International Independent Film Festival (2001)
  • Sundance Screenwriter's Lab, semi-finalist 1997
  • Cairo International Film Festival (2000)
  • International Film Festival of India (2000)
  • San Francisco Parent/Teacher Association

References

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

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