0German version here.
Not completely fit i’m already thinking about not going to the premiere of „Le Paradis“ (The Lost Boys) on sunday afternoon. As the film is only 83 minutes long i decide to go there after all, without any expectations. But already within the first scenes of the film I know that it was the right decision and I am very happy that I went there. "Le Paradis" touches me from the first minutes to the last second. Two and a half days later, I'm still so excited that I book a ticket for the last screening on Friday afternoon so that I can see Zeno Graton's feature film debut once again.
Overall, "Le Paradis“ tells a story about two people in love - nothing unusual - but the place where the story is set is. Because Joe (Khalil Gharbia) and William (Julien de Saint Jean) are living in a youth correctional facility. Between daily routines, study and sports sessions, and nightly checks to make sure no one has run away, there is usually not much space or time for one-on-one time or tenderness. Joe and William somehow find this space and other feelings and questions then thoughts and dreams of life outside start to dominate their bodies and minds: What and where is the freedom they are working toward and dreaming of? And where will they find the happiness they are looking for?
William likes to draw, he expresses himself and his thoughts through it. At the same time, his drawings become symbols that carry the film. A snake biting its own tail - a "Nordic dragon", the protector of the sea. Joe is fascinated by it and gets it inked by william. For the two, it's a sign of connection, a rebellion and protection from the world outside and the system. At the same time, it symbolizes the stories and lifes in the youth correctional facility of the boys: The never-ending state they’re in, supported by their counselors, but the system against them. Experiencing setbacks again and again and perhaps even giving up hope after all that they will live a life in society again.
Symbols and metaphors like this can be found at many points in "Le Paradis", giving the film his wonderful aesthetic. This is supported by the expressive camera work of Olivier Boonjing, who perfectly captures the range of emotions that Joe, William and the others are going through. The frustration, the hopelessness and the loneliness; but at the same time the bond, glimmers of hope and little sparks of happiness that the boys are feeling, are expressed. All cast members, and especially Gharbia and de Saint Jean, also do an incredibly good job. The final piece of the puzzle is added by Bachar Mar-Khalifé, who was responsible for the music in "Le Paradis" and who completes the overall appearance of the film.
It's hard for me to find anything at all to criticize about "Le Paradis". Graton's film touched me in a way that few other Generation films have managed this year. Not often i could empathize with the characters' desires, dreams, and wishes in the way i did watching the film, and experience how new hope is always found in hopelessness. I can only recommend everyone to watch "Le Paradis" during the rest of the festival. You still have a chance to do so today (22/02) at 6.30pm at "Filmtheater am Friedrichshain" or on Friday (24/02) at 3pm at "Zoo Palast 1".
If you want to take a look behind the scenes of "Le Paradis" or read about the thoughts of the director and the two main actors on interesting questions, you can find Konstantin's interview with Zeno Graton, Khalil Gharbia and Julien de Saint Jean here.
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