Paradise: Love – Film Review

The first in a trilogy of films by Ulrich Seidl proves a clever and provocative winner. Margarethe Tiesel gives her whole heart, soul and body for this daring and pitiless story about a plump 50-year-old Austrian ‘sugar mama’ who travels to an idyllic Kenyan beach resort to have a good time with African boys selling love to make a living.

Joining some other rapacious cougars, she goes excitedly from one boy to the next, disappointment following disappointment, trying to prove to herself that she can find love and paradise, that she’s still sexy and in the game. Gloomy and distressing though this tale of sexual tourism is, it’s brilliantly told and with a surprising lot of humour and wit. Seidl captures the mood and atmosphere intoxicatingly, so soon you are really seeing this story from the woman’s point of view, taking her nice but selfish, imperialistic side against the African boys, who appear to her nice but greedy and grabby, and even more selfish.

Very awkward questions are raised, though the final judgment is yours. The film worryingly appears to ask: are there good things to say about prostitution, which is what this ‘sugar mama’ thing is of course? Who’s exploiting whom, who’s doing more exploiting, who’s more devious, is it evil or immoral or is it after all a fair trade? It’s more than just a tale of white rich old folks oppressing poor black young folks, though it is certainly that too, but what is it a tale of? Clearly, not much of an advert for sexual tourism, the film gives all those difficult issues of age, race and gender a thorough sweaty workout.

Hard to say what Seidl makes of his story, or what if any conclusions he comes to, and that’s one of the subtle appeals of the film. Tiesel swings you onto her character’s none-too-admirable side with her effortlessly charming mild manner and politely non-confrontational attitude, seemingly wanting to love every boy who comes her way, even patiently teaching them to be loving and tender with her, and being hurt and upset when they’re not. Acting under the most difficult circumstances, the boys throw themselves into the thick of the action with bravery and no holds barred. The sexually explicit film has a rare 18 certificate, though why, heaven knows when Man of Steel has a 12 with all its violence and death.

Even with four middle-aged women engaged in trying to get one black boy hard, the winner taking him, it doesn’t really seem very shocking or terrible. Just all very sad and painful. Never titillating, this is not a turn-on then, so not an 18 certificate, and really in fact kids should see this. It’s educational, instructional, and it’s an art movie. Everything you want to know about sex for sale but were afraid to ask is here. Anybody buying? You should be when Seidl and Tiesel are selling. The film’s final image is unforgettable and the film itself will stay long in the mind. Can’t wait for the next two Paradise films.

(C) Derek Winnert 2013