Paradise: Love

Watch Paradise: Love

  • NR
  • 2013
  • 2 hr
  • 7.0  (9,879)
  • 65

Paradise: Love is a 2012 drama film directed by Ulrich Seidl. The movie tells the story of a middle-aged Austrian woman named Teresa, played by Margarete Tiesel, who goes on vacation to Kenya to find love and companionship with young men from the local beaches. The film explores themes of exploitation, power dynamics, and the human need for affection and intimacy. Despite its tropical setting, Paradise: Love tackles issues of poverty, sex tourism, and cultural differences that create a jerky rhythm throughout the film.

Teresa is a single mother who feels confined by her everyday life in Austria. She seeks an escape by travelling to Kenya, where she is eager to find physical and emotional satisfaction from the local men. There, she meets Munga, played by Peter Kazungu, a young Kenyan beach boy who becomes her companion and guide during her stay.

As Teresa settles into her new surroundings, she begins to explore the complex relationships that develop between Kenyan beach boys and European tourists. Although she initially views her interactions as a liberating experience, she soon realizes that her fantasy of an African paradise is not as simple as she had imagined.

The film's cinematography and close-up shots accentuates the painful awkwardness and uncomfortable moments Teresa faces as she navigates the power dynamics between herself and the Kenyan men she encounters. Paradise: Love is filled with bleak and awkward scenes that portray realistically an uncomfortable and challenging reality for both African men and Western women.

Despite the heavy and often uncomfortable subject matter, the film is balanced by moments of dark humor, while the breathtaking beauty of Kenya is portrayed impeccably throughout the entire movie. Kenya’s natural landscape and vibrant colors are a distinct part of the film's vision, contrasting against Teresa’s pathetic experiences.

Margarete Tiesel's performance as Teresa is excellent, showcasing the complexities and contradictions of a white, wealthy woman looking to explore desire and freedom in an unfamiliar country. She portrays a character that is often unlikeable, but also relatable due to her vulnerability and desperation.

Peter Kazungu, who plays Munga, gives a compelling performance as a beach boy who is comfortable with his role as both a sexual object and a friend to the tourists he encounters. Munga's complex identity embodies the contradictions and power dynamics present in the relationships between beach boys and European women.

Overall, Paradise: Love is a powerful and thought-provoking film that confronts controversial themes of exploitation, sex tourism, race and power dynamics. Despite its uncomfortable and often difficult subject matter, the movie manages to remain visually stunning, contrasting between the beauty of the natural landscape with the severity of its message. It is a highly recommended movie for those who are interested in thought-provoking, insightful and controversial arthouse movies.

Paradise: Love is a 2013 drama with a runtime of 2 hours. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 65.

Paradise: Love
Description
Where to Watch Paradise: Love
Paradise: Love is available to watch free on Tubi TV and Vudu Free. It's also available to stream, download and buy on demand at Amazon Prime, Apple TV Channels, Amazon and Google Play. Some platforms allow you to rent Paradise: Love for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2013
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    2 hr
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.0  (9,879)
  • Metascore
    65
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