Paradise Now (2005)
Hany Abu-Assad's award-winning drama puts a human face on one of the most charged subjects in contemporary world cinema.
Paradise Now - Movie Information
- Original Title: Paradise Now
- Release Year: 2005
- Directed by: Hany Abu-Assad
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime, Thriller, Drama, War
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 1h 30m
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: Arabic, English
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 7, 2005 (France), October 28, 2005 (United States - PG-13), January 27, 2006 (Brazil), October 14, 2005 (Italy), April 13, 2006 (South Korea - 15)
- Alternative Titles: Рай сегодня (RU), パラダイスナウ (JP), الآن الجنة (US)
- Production Companies: Lama Films, Augustus Film, Razor Film Produktion, ARTE France Cinéma, Hazazah Film, Lumen Films
- Production Countries: France, Germany, Netherlands, Jordan
Paradise Now - Plot
Two childhood friends are recruited for a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv.
Paradise Now - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see this powerful story unfold:
From the most unexpected place, come a new call for peace
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Paradise Now - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Hany Abu-Assad
Main Cast
- Qais Nashif
- Ali Suliman
- Lubna Azabal
- Amer Hlehel
- Hiam Abbass
- Ashraf Barhom
- Abdulrahman Thaher
- Mohamed Bustami
- Dirar Suleiman
- Jamel Daher
Writers
- Pierre Hodgson
- Hany Abu-Assad
- Bero Beyer
Producers
- Bero Beyer
- Amir Harel
- Gerhard Meixner
- Hengameh Panahi
- Roman Paul
Paradise Now - FAQs
What is Paradise Now about?
Paradise Now follows Said and Khaled, two Palestinian childhood friends living in Nablus who are recruited to carry out a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv. The film traces their final 48 hours, exploring their doubts, motivations, and the moral weight of their mission with striking emotional honesty.
Does Paradise Now have a definitive ending?
The film ends on a deliberately ambiguous note. Said boards a bus in Tel Aviv, and the screen fades to white — leaving his fate, and the outcome of the bombing, unresolved. Director Hany Abu-Assad chose this open ending to provoke reflection rather than deliver a tidy moral conclusion.
Where can you stream or watch Paradise Now?
You can watch Paradise Now by renting or buying it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It's also available to stream for free on Plex Channel, making it accessible without a paid subscription.
Why did Said ultimately go through with the mission?
Said's decision is rooted in personal shame — his father was executed as a collaborator — and a deep sense of hopelessness about life under occupation. Unlike Khaled, who wavers, Said sees the mission as the only act of agency left to him, making his arc the film's most haunting thread.
Who are the main actors in Paradise Now?
The film is led by Qais Nashif as Said and Ali Suliman as Khaled, delivering raw, deeply human performances. Lubna Azabal plays Suha, a woman whose moral arguments challenge both men. Hiam Abbass and Amer Hlehel round out the key supporting cast.
Is Paradise Now based on a true story?
Paradise Now is not based on a single specific event, but it draws heavily from the real context of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the documented phenomenon of suicide bombings during the Second Intifada. Director Hany Abu-Assad crafted the story to humanize — not glorify — those drawn into such missions.
Did Paradise Now win any major awards?
Yes — Paradise Now won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film in 2006 and was nominated for the Academy Award in the same category. It also took home the Blue Angel Award at the Berlin International Film Festival, cementing its place as a landmark of world cinema.
How was Paradise Now received by critics?
Critics embraced Paradise Now as a courageous, nuanced film. It holds a strong approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was praised for humanizing a deeply controversial subject without endorsing violence. Reviewers highlighted Abu-Assad's restrained direction and the two lead performances as exceptional.
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