Directed by:
Raf ReyntjensScreenplay:
Raf ReyntjensCinematography:
Rik ZangComposer:
David van der HeydenCast:
Gene Bervoets, Noortje Herlaar, Jeroen Perceval, Pascal Maetens, Line Pillet, Charlotte Timmers, Marie-Louise Stheins, Pieter Verelst, Tania Van der SandenPlots(1)
A bunch of young, free-spirited Belgians hop on a bus headed for an electronic music festival in Croatia. They laugh, they sing, they smoke, they drink. It looks like a rollicking good time for all on board, save one: the grumpy bus driver. Mario is 40 years older than most of his passengers. He has spent decades driving seniors to sun and fun spots on his tour bus (called "Paradise Trips"). Now, on the verge of retirement, he has nothing but scowls for these latter-day hippies. Once they arrive at the outdoor festival, however, Mario gains a new perspective amidst the tents, campers, and all-night revelers. He befriends a Nintendo-playing young lad, benefits from the generosity of a soulful sage named Esmeralda, and stumbles upon a long-estranged relative. The latter encounter could change his life. In the comedy-drama PARADISE TRIPS, generations and old grudges collide as Mario goes in search of his smile. (Cleveland International Film Festival)
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Reviews (2)
The awkward bus driver Mario really got on my nerves at first, but as the movie progressed, I found a way to connect with him, and by the end, I actually sympathized with him quite a bit. The festival setting was a good enough backdrop for the years of disputes between Mario and his son Jim. Probably the scene that sticks in my mind the most is when a drunken Mario is partying to the music that pissed him off at the beginning of the story. In any case, it's a comedy-drama that really hit the spot for me mood-wise. (70%)
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I was very pleased with the locations the movie is set in. I actually don’t remember any creators placing the theme of their movie into a psytrance festival. The setting is a big plus for me and thanks to it I had the desire to watch the movie. The rest of it is a family drama that is average and doesn’t progress anywhere at all. The conclusion is, for example, worthy of a slap.
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Gallery (15)
Photo © Artcam
![Paradise Trips - Photos](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w663/files/images/film/photos/160/686/160686875_848105.jpg)
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