A new international drama titled Paradise has unveiled its first trailer ahead of its scheduled premiere at the 76th Berlinale in Berlin this month, signaling the arrival of Jérémy Comte’s ambitious full-length directorial debut.
The film follows two teenagers on opposite sides of the world whose lives intersect through absence and longing. Kojo, a young man from Ghana played by Daniel Atsu Hukporti, grapples with the disappearance of his father, a fisherman whose absence leaves him adrift between street life and cultural expectations. Simultaneously, Tony, portrayed by Joey Boivin-Desmeules, lives in Quebec and uncovers hints about his own father while navigating familial tensions with his mother.
Set against landscapes in Ghana, Quebec and Europe, Paradise frames its narrative around distance and connection. The screenplay was co-written by Comte and Will Niava, whose collaborative writing reportedly helped shape the film’s rhythm and emotional tension.
Industry observers note that production wrapped in late 2024, with shooting spanning both African and North American locations, giving the film an expansive geographic texture rarely seen in first features. Elevation Pictures holds Canadian distribution rights, while Tandem Films secured French rights ahead of its festival launch, underlining early commercial interest.
The trailer, released as the European Film Market unfolds, highlights lush cinematography and a mood that shifts between quiet introspection and building drama. Audiences get glimpses of Kojo’s struggle with gang-linked pressures in Accra and Tony’s tentative steps toward unraveling long-buried family history.
Comte gained international attention with his short film Fauve, earning an Academy Award nomination, and industry figures are watching how he transitions to feature work with Paradise.
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The Berlinale runs February 12-22 in Berlin. Paradise will screen in the festival’s Panorama section on February 14, marking its first public showing and the start of its critical journey.
