Surviving Paradise is a 2001

2001 in film

The year 2001 in film involved some significant events, including the first of the Harry Potter series and also the first of The Lord of the Rings trilogy...

 American Family Adventure/drama film written & directed by Kamshad Kooshan

Kamshad Kooshan

Kamshad Kooshan is an Iranian-American Movie Writer and Director. Iranian-born & Bay Area film director, screenwriter and film producer, , immigrated to the United States at the age of Sixteen. He has been involved with photography since the age of 12 and has had many exhibitions...

. With three months of theatrical release in Major theaters in Southern California and San Francisco Bay Area, it is considered to be the First English Language Iranian-American film distributed in the United States. This film is believed to to be one of the first vehicles in introducing the Oscar Nominated star, Shohreh Aghdashloo to Hollywood resulting in her being selected for "House of Sand & Fog" acting opposite Ben Kingsley and later becoming nominated for an Oscar.

The story concerns the struggles of two newly arrived Iranian Brother & Sister in the rough & better neighborhoods of Los Angeles.

Short SYNOPSIS

When the 10 year old boy Sam and his younger sister Sara arrived in Los Angeles with their mother, the only thing on their mind was to go to Disneyland. But things take a wrong turn, when their mother is kidnapped by three armed Mafias. Realizing that the Police can't find their uncle, their only relative in town in time, these two helpless children take on the vast and unforgiving streets of Los Angeles to find him themselves.

On their way they encounter a colorful cast of characters and frightening situations where they are tested of their humanity and endurance but more importantly they discover about themselves, that the best quality is to survive with humanity.

Directors Note

As an immigrant who came to a new home in the United States when I was 16 years old, I wanted to tell a simple story for children, to be both inspired and challenged by, where it is watch-able by both the parents and their children, is not too violent by making the hitmen a bit funny and bungling. My hope is that even though some stereotypes are used, children (and their parents) are encouraged to think about such issues as diversity, tolerance, resilience and finally dialogue as a means of conflict resolution.

Principal Cast

• Shohreh Aghdashloo
  Shohreh Aghdashloo
  Shohreh Aghdashloo is an Iranian American actress.After establishing a theatre and film career in Iran, Aghdashloo moved to England during the Iranian Revolution in 1979, and subsequently became a citizen of the United States...
  
   ..... Pari
• Keyan Arman Abedini ..... Sam
• Lauren Parissa Abedini ..... Sara
• Joe Alvarez ..... Mr. F
• David Barry
  David Barry
  David Barry is a Welsh actor. He is best known for his role as Frankie Abott, , in the LWT sitcom Please Sir! and the spin-off series The Fenn Street Gang,...
  
   ..... Mr. A
• David Wissak ..... Mr. Z
• Otis Freeman ..... Lou
• Vahik Pirhamzei ..... Mo

Critical Reception

• "Inspired … Most Appealing"

Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

• “The Performances Are Superb"

Brian Sebastian, Movie Reviews & More

• " “Wonder Filled!”

Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

• "Heroic"

Hollywood Reporter Magazine

• "A Surprisingly Cleaver Film … "A Richly Rewarding Story … "A Pleasant Family Treat"

Gerri Garner, American Radio Network

• "A Fresh Break From Ritualistic Blockbuster Brain Damage … A Refreshing View of Diversity … Beautiful Episodes of idealistic Equality”"

Emillia Hwang, Daily Bruin

Awards and Festivals

• New York International Independent Film Festival (2001)
• Sundance Screenwriter's Lab, semi-finalist 1997
• Cairo International Film Festival (2000)
• International Film Festival of India (2000)
• San Francisco Parent/Teacher Association

External links

• Academy of Picture Arts & Sciences
• Yahoo Movies
• Official Movie Site
• Film Review