Busan Film Festival: Prasanna Vithanage’s Paradise wins the Kim Jiseok Award for the Best Film

Filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage's International film ‘Paradise’ won the Kim Jiseok Award for the best film at the Busan International Film Festival 2023. The prestigious award, established in 2017, commemorates the late Kim Jiseok, who dedicated his life to discovering and supporting the growth of Asian cinema. The award is given to the two best films that reflect the contemporary standing of Asian cinema by the late Kim’s intent.

Paradise is set to have its South Asia Premiere at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival in the ICONS: SOUTH ASIA section. The festival will take place from October 27 to November 5.

The film is produced by Newton Cinema and presented by Mani Ratnam’s Madras Talkies marking their first collaboration. It features Roshan Mathew, Darshana Rajendran, Shyam Fernando, and Mahendra Perera and boasts of an illustrious crew such as Rajeev Ravi as the cinematographer, Sreekar Prasad as the editor, Tapas Nayak as the sound designer, and K, the music director.  

Shot in Sri Lanka, Paradise narrates the vacation of a tourist couple, exploring their struggles with societal, personal, and internal challenges. Through their experiences, they unveil an objective truth about human nature.

Noted filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage said, “After 28 years today, it is ironic to receive this award named after the late Kim Jiseok. Kim was a dear friend to all Asian filmmakers. Kim, I am honored to take you to my home. I would like to thank you, my dear producer, Anto Chittilappilly and Newton Cinema, our presenter Mani Ratnam, Madras Talkies, and the cast, and crew of Paradise. This award belongs to you,”

Mani Ratnam, of Madras Talkies, said, “When there is turmoil in paradise, both social and economic, when there is a re-evaluation of man-woman relationship, when an old epic gets reflected in today's troubled times, we have Paradise, a film with a vision.”

 Anto Chittilappilly, CEO of Newton Cinema, said, “Our world premiere at Busan resulted in winning the Kim Jiseok Award for Best Film. Everyone at Newton Cinema is on cloud nine, and we believe this victory will propel the film to audiences worldwide. We are confident that audiences everywhere will enjoy the film as much as our sold-out audiences did in Busan.”