If you’ve come this far into the Ulrich Seidl Paradise trilogy, you’ll be aware that this final instalment is going to make for intense, difficult viewing – and no surprises, it does just that. Continuing with this theme, Paradise: Hope is yet another of the three pictures to implement a somewhat ironic tone to what is a supposedly joyous word, as conversely, the thing this film is lacking in most heavily, is hope itself.
Tying in to both of the first two titles, when our protagonist from the first picture ‘Love’ travels to Kenya on holiday, she leaves behind her overweight teenage daughter Melanie (Melanie Lenz), who is taken to an Austrian fat camp by our lead role in the second feature ‘Faith’. Once she arrives, she is put through a series of vigorous fitness regimes, where she spends her days attempting to get into shape. While she candidly discusses sex with her roommates, this curious and naïve young girl thinks she has finally found love with her crush – and 50 year old physician Arzt (Joseph Lorenz), who, somewhat worryingly, seems to have developed romantic feelings of his own.
Following on in a similar vein to the first two features, Seidl ensures that viewer is put through the motions, as we go on an excruciating journey not too dissimilar to that of our protagonists. We see everything in such minute detail, in a film that in subtle in its approach. Not an awful amount actually happens, as the story survives off the mere subtext and the feelings shared amongst our characters. Part of the brilliance of this title – and what adds so substantially to the naturalistic elements – is that our actors are genuinely being put through these tough physical exercises, so the pain and anguish we see on screen appears far more authentic.
The film becomes almost hypnotic as we progress towards the latter stages, as so few settings are explored. For the most part, we merely split between three sequences; the girls being trained, the Melanie and Arzt in the doctors surgery, and the conversations amongst the girls in the dormitory. Nonetheless, there are a plethora of themes at play, with the prevalent romance, the self-esteem of the teenagers, and the way in which they explore sex and relationships through sincere conversation. In the meantime, there is something fascinating – and somewhat disturbing – knowing that this film is taking place at the same time as the first. While Melanie is going through this agonising camp, her mother is going through much of the same heartache in Kenya, uniting the characters and films to devastating effect, as we know they are both struggling to find confidence and love at the very same time.
Though not quite as good as the first picture, this remains a stronger outing than the second, in what is a really well made, emotional piece of cinema. With a pensive, slow-burning narrative, we build towards a conclusion that provides a morose summary to the entire trilogy – one that is affecting, distressing and ultimately rather bleak. But one thing that is for sure, is that Seidl’s Paradise endeavour has been a triumphant one, and will have a lasting effect on anyone who dares give it a try.
[Rating:3/5]
