Paradise Now (Vaat Edilen Cennet)

Palestinian-Dutch director Hany Abu-Assad made Paradise Now (Turkish title Vaat Edilen Cennet), a 2005 psychological drama. This Arabic-language co-production runs about 90 minutes; its title alludes to a promised paradise. It won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film and was the first Palestinian film nominated for an Oscar in that category. It also won the European Film Award for best screenplay and the Golden Calf for best feature.

The story focuses on the last 48 hours of two childhood friends from Nablus who have been prepared to carry out a suicide attack in Tel Aviv. After a last night with their families, unexpected events arise on their journey and fate slowly pulls them apart. The film looks from the inside at the world of such bombers, against a backdrop of poverty and frustration. The cast includes Ali Süleyman, Kais Nashef, Lubna Azabal, Hiyam Abbas, Ashraf Barhom and Amer Hlehel.

Abu-Assad wrote the script with Bero Beyer and Pierre Hodgson, and Augustus Film and Lama Films produced. It was shot in the West Bank in 2004 and shown in 45 countries. The director faced pressure; some accused him of glorifying suicide attacks, others of betraying the Palestinian cause. Abu-Assad calls the film an artistic view of the political issue.