Paradise: A Mexican romantic comedy
(Paraíso)
Mariana Chenillo | Comedy, Fiction, Romance
2014 | 105 minutes | Mexico
Everything is going fine for childhood sweethearts Carmen and Alfredo in their own tranquil suburban paradise, until Alfredo’s job promotion forces them to move to bustling Mexico City.
Synopsis
Childhood sweethearts Carmen and Alfredo live a life of quiet bliss in Satélite, a sleepy suburb outside of Mexico City. When Alfredo is offered a promotion, the lovebirds make the move into the bustling metropolis. It’s a rude awakening for Carmen, who until now has not really worried about the fact that she and Alfredo are both overweight. After overhearing gossip about their bodies at a company party, she decides that it is time to swap donuts for salads, and urges Alfredo to join her in a weight-loss program. But when only one of them actually starts to slim down, a rift emerges in their relationship.
Portrayed with undeniable charm by newcomer Daniela Rincon and well-known Andres Alameida, Paradise touches upon issues of body image, self-confidence and happiness with candor and humor.
The film is executive-produced by Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal.
Reviews
“Mexican Filmmaker Mariana Chenillo charts the tricky evolution of enduring love with offbeat grace and charm in her new film, Paraíso. Exploring the deeply-held compulsions that we all have, and which oddly enough, can actually breed affection among those who love us most, she cheerfully sidesteps many of the modern romantic comedy’s most tiresome clichés with a recipe that includes one dash of Almodovar, a sprig of Mike White, and a generous helping of her own quirky romantic style.” – Brad Liberti, SCREEN PICKS
“Paraíso’s arrival marks a revival in Mexican comedy. It is a film that doesn’t treat the audience as dumb or conformist. Moving beyond the issue of obesity, we can all identify with the characters as people trying to follow standards of “happiness” imposed by trends or advertising.” – Blanco Samperio, CULTURA COLECTIVA
Citation
Main credits
Chenillo, Mariana (screenwriter)
Chenillo, Mariana (film director)
Cruz, Pablo (film producer)
Almeida, Andrés (actor)
Rincón, Daniela (actor)
Méndez, Luis Gerardo (actor)
Ferreira, Anabel (actor)
Other credits
Music, Dario González Valderrama; editor, Mariana Chenillo; director of photography, Yaron Orbach.
Citation
Cataloging
Pragda subjects
Keywords
Clips
Festivals
Toronto International Film Festival
San Sebastian Film Festival
Miami International Film Festival
Dubai International Film Festival
Morelia International Film Festival
The Film Society of Lincoln Center Latinbeat
DIRECTOR: Mariana Chenillo
NATIONALITY: Mexico
YEAR: 2014
GENRE: Comedy, Fiction, Romance
LANGUAGE: Spanish
COLOR / B&W: Color
GRADE LEVEL: College, Adults
SUBTITLE/CC: AVAILABLE
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: NOT AVAILABLE
Existing customers, please log in to view this film.
New to Pragda? Register to request a quote.
Related Films
Plot Point
Punto de giro
Love & Mathematics
Amor y matemáticas
La Chiperita: By the Road
La chiperita
One Night Alone
Una noche solos
Nibbler
Mordisquitos
This is Cristina
Ella es Cristina
Marisa in the Woods
Marisa en los bosques
Shakti
Urgent Love
Amor urgente
Fat, Bald, and Short Man
Gordo, calvo y bajito
Menina Casilda
Craft
Riscado
Open Cage
Los bañistas
A Film About Couples
Una película sobre parejas
Related Collections
Fiction Films
A compelling glimpse into Spain and Latin America's rich storytelling traditions, showcasing a blend of established directors and emerging voices. Each film highlights the depth and creativity of the region.
Number of titles: 275
SEE COLLECTION >Spanish Language Films
A cinematic highlight of the magic and diversity of the Spanish language.
Number of titles: 440
SEE COLLECTION >Women's Voices
These films challenge dominant narratives and offer compelling feminine visions of the region's past, present, and future.
Number of titles: 216
SEE COLLECTION >High School Collection
Given varying criteria for content ratings and age restrictions in different regions, Pragda STREAM recommends faculty watch films in their entirety before assigning them to students.
Number of titles: 509
SEE COLLECTION >The Pragda Complete Film Collection
The essence of Spain and Latin America captured in their original language with English captions or subtitles.
Number of titles: 637
SEE COLLECTION >Mexican Films
A collection of fascinating titles, from recent films to restored jewels, that highlight the significance of Mexican cinema’s quality and status while encompassing different aspects of the country's culture and traditions.
Number of titles: 76
SEE COLLECTION >