Paradise (Paradeisos)

A Strada Films relieve a Pan Entertainment production, in colaboration with Greek Film Center, Ert Hellenic Broadcasting Corp., Guanaco, Homemade Films production. (Worldwide sales: Pan Entertainment, Athens.) Produced by Maria Drandaki. Executive producer, Constantinos Moriatis. Directed, put together by Panagiotis Fafoutis.With: Natassa Zaga, Mihalis Fotopoulos, Olia Lazaridou, Erricos Litsis, Christos Loulis, Constantinos Avarikiotis, Maria Skoula, Andreas Konstantinou, Lila Baklesi, Vaggelis Alexandris, Thanassis Vlavianos, Liza Neohoriti.Romance and confetti are up in "Paradise," the second feature from Greek scribe-helmer Panagiotis Fafoutis ("The Heir"). Set in the madness in the circus in Patras (a celebration to rival the higher famous ones in Venice and Rio), pic traces the interconnected tales of two couples and a pair of one-around the sides obsessions. Colorful floats and costumes and moving music certainly are a constant, whilst the initial hour's solid crosscutting gives method to more muddled and protracted partner that quickly cuts down on the pic's emotional resonance. Local cinemas, mainstream-oriented fests and satcasters will be the likeliest takers. Some tales are affixed to a Paradise-designed circus float inside the Patras parade, which happens other family people . before Eastern Orthodox given. Pic is positioned through the brilliant handful of occasions of formulations and parties that precede the parade, together with the attention-catching spectacle itself ("Production value!" since the budding filmmaker protag of "Super 8" would say). London-based Marianna (Natassa Zaga) has returned to surprise her b.f., the party-loving DJ in the float, Mihalis (Mihalis Fotopoulos). Have secrets: Uber-busy Mihalis has less than quit using drugs, while Marianna, who bought a 1-way ticket, quickly recognizes that coming back permanently surprise was possibly not such advisable. Eugenia (Maria Skoula), who helps by helping cover their the Paradise costumes, has started an affair while using handsome but a little more youthful float organizer, Antonis (Andreas Konstantinou). She's afraid to see her edgy teen daughter (Lila Baklesi), who -- inside the pic's most contrived developments -- gets the hots for Antonis, too. A gay prepare (Constantinos Avarikiotis) is independently deeply deeply in love with his handsome straight boss, Socrates (Christos Loulis), because the middle-aged float driver, Ilias (Erricos Litsis), still pines for his ex-wife (Olia Lazaridou), a singer who's scheduled to complete at various parties. Scribe-helmer Fafoutis (whose title is every so often transliterated as Panayotis) handsomely produces some tales and, together with editor Panos Voutsaras, agilely cuts incorporated within this simply because they build momentum. The large cast of figures in addition to their quandaries are quickly and strongly came. But approximately one hour in, it may be apparent the loosely connected yarns aren't all pointed in the same speed in addition to building toward one large crescendo. The storyline lines of Eugenia and Socrates are very based on their large unveils and peter out right after. As well as the impact in the tragedies of Ilias and Mihalis may have been elevated if Fafoutis had attracted clearer parallels involving the youthful guy unable to know very well what she's as well as the some guy realizing too far gone what he had. Acting is solid overall, together with other tech credits are strong. D.p. Yorgos Papandrikopoulos' lighting of inside is especially significant, though a couple of from the outdoors crowd moments round the (overcast) day's the parade were clearly shot with inferior equipment. Ioanna Tsami's costume designs are perfect additionally to some way to obtain unforeseen humor, for example having a use that your nurse must frequently a partygoer fitted since the same.Camera (color), Yorgos Papandrikopoulos editor, Panos Voutsaras music, George Pallikaris production designer, Pinelopi Valti costume designer, Ioanna Tsami appear (Dolby Digital), Dimitris Kanellopoulos Aris Louziotis, Panos Voutsaras. Examined at Thessaloniki Film Festival (Greek Films), November. 8, 2011. Running time: 108 MIN. Contact Boyd van Hoeij at news@variety.com