Paradise and "invisible" cinema on the screens

by Anne Feuillère

20/10/2005 - The most eagerly awaited and, without doubt, the big winner at the last Berlin Festival, Paradise Now [trailer] d'Hany Abu-Hassad distributed on 9 prints for 1 More Film. Amnesty International Prize and European Cinema Prize, the film from this Palestinian who worked in Holland is produced by Dutch company Augustus Film along with French outfit Lumen Films, German Razor Films and Palestine. Sold internationally by Celluloïd Dreams, Paradise Now, which tells the story of two kamikazes Palestinians, has already been released in Italy last week, in France and in Belgium at the start of September in Belgium and in Germany and Austria at the end of September.

Other national releases, Filmmuseum distributes three documentaries inspired from a book by Christian Janicot Invisible Cinema, anthology of film projects that were never realised. An initiative from Dutch filmmaker Rolf Orthel, better known till now for his earnest documentaries, several films were made, such as The Book by Kees Hin (Het Boek), Brossa by Digna Sinke from a screenplay for an experimental film by Catalan poet, Joan Brossa and finally, Babel directed and produced by Rolf Orthel.

From the other side of the pond, two americans films : Crash by Paul Haggis is distributed by Independent with 24 prints while Buena Vista orchestrates a release of 58 prints for the release of Goal !.
A rich week in prospect then, with six films, four of which are local productions.

(Translated from French)