Paradise Road (1997 film)
- Glenn Close: Adrienne Pargiter
- Frances McDormand: Dr. Verstak
- Pauline Collins: Daisy ' Margaret ' Drummond
- Cate Blanchett: Susan Macarthy
- Jennifer Ehle: Rosemary Leighton -Jones
- Julianna Margulies: Topsy Merritt
- Wendy Hughes: Mrs. Dickson
- Johanna ter Steege: Sister Wilhelminia
Paradise Road is an American- Australian movie from 1997 directed by Bruce Beresford. This is the film version of an authentic story about a company incorporated in captivity vocal orchestra. The story is based on the diary of White Coolies by Betty Jeffrey. Alternative title are Paradise Road - way out of hell and way out of hell.
Action
On December 7, 1941, located in Singapore British Trade Center is attacked. According to the motto "Women and children first " are placed on a ship to Europe all those. But the goal remains unmatched. The ship was bombed and sinks. Adrienne Pargiter was able to escape with two other women on the mainland of Sumatra, which is under the control of Japan. They are captured and taken with 300 other women in a prison camp in which many other women and children of the lost ship are. Although there must cope with the tropical climate, poorer housing and a minimum of food, the class barriers have not yet been repealed. But very soon they realize that they can survive only if they stick together. From this idea results in a choir, which is led by Adrienne Pargiter. With the help of a friend, she writes pieces that are meant for orchestra in order to a cappella. Through the help of the music that gives them power and employment opportunities, they struggle through years of captivity.
Reviews
The magazine wrote Cinema, the film was a " pathetic, but played great drama" and a " moving melodrama about the power of music."
"After a true story turned film, which suffering and misery largely omits favor of a pathetic and sentimental staging. The clichéd figure drawing and the insensitive handling of the historical context are equally responsible for the failure of the film. "
Awards
Peter James won the Golden Tripod of the Australian Cinematographers Society in 1998. Bruce Beresford as a director and screenwriter and Ross Edwards have been nominated for the 1998 Film Critics Circle of Australia Award.
Background
Production costs amounted to an estimated 16 million U.S. dollars. The film played in the cinemas of the United States, only about 1.9 million U.S. dollars; in the other countries about 960 thousand U.S. dollars were recorded.