I just wanted to share a truly wonderful independent film i recently discovered, called "Dusky Paradise", which was released in 2016 after showcasing at the Raindance film festival.
The film is directed by Gregory Kirchhoff, a young and very talented up and coming director, who, together with his crew shot the film on a tiny budget that was largely funded through a crowdfunding campaign.
As far as i am aware, the actors who signed up for the roles, were all cast on skype, including the main protagonist, Jacob, played by Kes Blans. In his role, Jacob portrays the role of an apathetic, and somewhat repressed young man who has recently lost both of his parents. The character has lived a sheltered life, not even visiting another country at any point in his life. But he nonchalantly decides to travel to Spain to look after his recently deceased parents turtle at their lavish villa in the picturesque Spanish hills.
Upon arrival, Jacob, who is seemingly lacking in any interpersonal skills what-so-ever, is forced to interact with his new neighbor, an older man called Matteo, played by Martin Umbach, who i immediately warmed to as a character, which was in stark contrast to how Jacob initially rubbed off on me, but as Jacob settles into the slow pace of life in the sun, Matteo begins to pierce through the emotional wall Jacob has built around himself, Matteo see's that Jacob is a good young man who just needs a bit of love and inspiration to open him up and the two develop a sincere friendship.
Jacob then meets a young woman as he plucks up the enthusiasm to venture to the local art gallery, where Zoe, played by Charlotte Krenz, is working. It seems like Jacob has never had a girlfriend before, but his innocence is actually quite endearing as Zoe also begins to open him little by little, the three become friends quickly after a night at Matteo's and it quickly becomes apparent that Jacob and Zoe are developing feelings for one another, though all throughout, Jacob is hesitant i think, and unsure of himself. A whirlwind of new feelings and emotions begin to rise within him and he's not quite sure how to handle them, but he eventually see's that both Zoe and Matteo care about him and only want him to open up more, which of course would see Jacob grow. I won't give the whole plot away.
I do like how, in the friendship between Matteo and Jacob, it becomes clear that Jacob, is also bringing up deep rooted emotions within Matteo with regards to his separation from his wife and both Jacob and Matteo seem to mirror and help each see where they are going wrong and to just overcome their own grief to have the courage to embrace love, to take a chance once more, the young man and the old man, help each other to let go and accept love into their lives once more.
Dusky Paradise, to me was a very endearing film that focuses on human relations, courage, love, forgiveness, grief, repressed emotions and there is also a redemptive theme i always find realistic and inspiring. "The more you open up to life, the more it opens up to you", may seem like a cliche of sorts, but this film does a good job in portraying what i find to be a very true thing. If it's action, fast pace, flashy lights, guns, cgi, sex etc you're after then this probably won't be your cup of tea.
I found this film realistic and quite moving to be honest, and really enjoyed the moments where no dialogue occurs, there's often a lot more interesting things going on in these moments. There's some funny moments too, overall a very real and human film, well put together and you can watch it for free on youtube in HD. How often do you get that now!
One more thing, other than the beautiful cinematography, i also really appreciated the soundtrack to this film.
Enjoy.