EXCLUSIVE: Jérémy Comte’s upcoming transatlantic drama thriller Paradise world premieres in the Berlinale’s Panorama section this coming weekend and Deadline can reveal the trailer.
The film revolves around two teenagers living thousands miles apart, one on the streets of Accra in Ghana, the other in a Quebec suburb, brought close by their search for a missing father.
Shot in Quebec and Ghana, Comte’s directorial debut follows his short film Fauve which was Oscar-nominated for Best Live Action Short Film, and won the Special Jury Prize at Sundance, and best Canadian short at TIFF.
“We wanted the film to be an emotional journey, inviting viewers to actively engage with the story. It is divided into three parts: the first carries a mystery/puzzle element, the second focuses on drama, and the third leans into thriller, flirting with action. We aimed for audiences to connect with the characters while being challenged by what unfolds on screen,” says Comte.
Newcomers Joey Boivin-Desmeules and Daniel Atsu Hukporti star as Tony and Kojo, with cinematography by Olivier Gossot (Fauve, Young Juliette), production design by Sylvain Lemaitre (The Successor), music by Valentin Hadjadj (Close, Girl), and sound design by Sandy Notariani (The Father). The script is written by Will Niava and Comte.
The film is produced by Tim Ringuette (Entract Studios Inc) and Anne‑Marie Gélinas (EMA Films) in Canada, and Fabien Westerhoff (Constellation Productions) in France, with co-producers Olivier Père and Rémi Burah at Arte France Cinema.
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