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List Price: $29.99 | | Label: Phase 4 Films
Salesrank: 32416
Released: October 13, 2009 |
| Our Price: $10.99 |
| Used Price: $11.25 |
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MPAA Rating: Unrated
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Paraiso Travel is the story of Marlon Cruz, a young Colombian man who, motivated by his beautiful girlfriend Reina leaves his life in Colombia to illegally cross the border and find fortune in New York. Marlon's journey, which takes him through seedy strip clubs, dance halls, homeless hostels, and the streets of Jackson Heights, ultimately leads him to a place he could have never predicted.
Paraiso Travel Reviews:
Another triumph for Brand 
2009-11-03 - I seem to be one of the few fans of Simon Brand's only other film Unknown, but his follow-up here of tackling an immigration story was powerful, worthwhile and filled with excellently performances. We see the story of two immigrants from Columbia to New York told in a non-lineal format. The two lines of this young couple's trip through South America and resulting residency in New York are bounced back and forth, book-ended with an unusual ambiguity of character outcomes. I liked the style and the resulting quality of moods in each setting, and I really think he makes a competent film with this group of unknowns. The graphic storytelling mixes a spattering of family loss, hatred, love, and finding oneself while trying to survive as an immigrant in the US.
The picture quality and sound are done perfectly and the city scapes of NY looked pristine upscaled. I tried the English dubbed version but it was painful and the sound was not mixed well back into the main frame - the 5.1 Spanish was just right. The special features appeared to be thorough, but I could only muddle through the main 50-minute documentary/making-of as there are no subtitles (all in Spanish). A short picture gallery is also included. There are some stark and brutal similarities to Sin Nombre as also depicted in this film, but both are worthwhile viewing this quarter.
Fantastic!
2009-10-20 - This is an intelligent, intriguing, and thought-provoking Colombian film! The book by Jorge Franco, from which the screenplay was adapted is an amazing work of literature. Captivating! I suggest pruchasing both!
