A Story That Breaks the Silence
Why This Story Must Be Told
Some stories are so extraordinary they make even the boldest fiction pale in comparison. “Paradise and Hell” is one of them—a true tale of freedom, loss, and the absurd beauty of failure, set on a Greek island that slipped through the cracks of the world.
In 2017, Frank, a German software developer, bought a rusty sailboat on Leros to escape the algorithmic grind. What began as an adventure became a lens for a global crisis: the COVID lockdown squeezed refugees, broken souls, and dreamers into a pressure cooker of clashing lives. Here, among decaying shipwrecks and policemen in mirrored sunglasses, a drama unfolded—one too raw to be invented.
Why tell this story?
Because it captures the paradox of our time: the longing for freedom in a world that worships control.
The Plot – Where Paradise and Hell Collide
Leros, an island locals call “the Aegean’s asylum.” Here, the paths of strangers converge:
- Frank, repairing boats to mend his own fractures.
- Leila, an Iranian musician whose songs suffocate in the PIKPA refugee camp.
- Raphael, an ex-millionaire drowning debts in Alpha Beer.
- Robocop, a cop who criminalizes breakfast baguettes.
Their collision isn’t heroic—it’s a dance on a volcano. Between illegal barbecues, midnight refugee dramas, and the hum of abandoned hotels, scenes of tragicomic intensity unfold. The line between savior and destroyer blurs. Every character becomes a prisoner of their own utopia.
Why This Project Is an Arthouse Gem
- An Irresistible Blend:
“Paradise and Hell” merges Tarkovsky’s poetic melancholy with Coen Brothers’ dark humor. There are no clear villains—only humans battling bureaucracies and inner demons. - Visual Dynamite:
Leros’ contrasts—azure bays vs. Mussolini-era concrete monsters, neon-lit taverns vs. rotting sails—create a backdrop oscillating between dream and nightmare. - Themes with Depth:
- Freedom vs. Control: From lockdown absurdity to Leila’s asylum struggle.
- Humanity in Decay: George, the anarchist with a knife and a father’s heart.
- The Illusion of Escape: Frank fled Germany only to find new cages in Greece.
- Based on True Events:
That night by the campfire, when Leila sang a Persian song? It happened. So did Raphael’s scooter crash that broke two ribs. This story is reality—raw, unvarnished, breathtaking.
To Arthouse Producers: Why This Project?
If you seek a story that marries provocation with poetry, look no further. “Paradise and Hell” isn’t just a film—it’s a social experiment, captured in 110 minutes of celluloid.
What We Offer:
- A Polished Script, honed through two years of on-site research.
- Archival Footage: Photos, videos, and audio from the real Leros lockdown.
- Real-Life Characters to inspire actors with depth and authenticity.
- EU Funding Access: Eligible for MEDIA grants, Greek tax rebates (40%), and German-Belgian co-productions.
What We Seek:
- A Bold Producer with arthouse credentials (e.g., Dogtooth, The Lobster, Ida).
- A Visionary willing to blur lines—between documentary and fiction, tragedy and satire.
Let’s Make History—Before It Fades
Stories like this die quietly, drowned by algorithms and headlines. But “Paradise and Hell” deserves more: a cinematic moment that steals viewers’ breath—then gives it back.
Contact Us to:
- Receive the full screenplay.
- Request a pitch deck with visual mood boards.
- Join a Zoom call with Frank, the author and eyewitness.
📩 contact@paradise-and-hell.com
Or first meet the characters who carry—and tear apart—this story.
“Some truths are so unbelievably real,
only cinema can save them.”