Reel Paradise

Theatrical Release Date: 2005 08 17 (USA - Limited)

UPC: 720917548425

Studio: Fox Lorber

MPAA Rating: R   Contains:[Adult Language]

Summary: John Pierson is a passionate cinema enthusiast who has written books on maverick filmmakers (including the bestsellers Spike, Mike, Slackers & Dykes and Reel Paradise), co-created, produced, and hosted the Split Screen series on the Independent Film Channel network, and helped produce a number of independent films, including early works by Spike Lee, Michael Moore, and Richard Linklater. In February 2000, Pierson traveled to Fiji to shoot an episode of Split Screen, where in the tiny village of Taveuni he discovered a fully functioning movie theater. A year later, Pierson discovered that the owner was closing shop and moving to New Zealand. Fascinated by the prospect of showing movies in a remote community that was still edging its way into 20th century technology -- most homes have no electricity or telephones -- Pierson took over the business. Although the theater had shown American films since the fifties, many of the impoverished locals were unable to pay the admission prices - so Pierson waived the costs, thus enabling more natives to attend. He and his family stayed in Taveuni for a year, and his friend Steve James (himself a documentary filmmaker of note) brought a camera crew to Fiji to document the final month of Pierson's experiment. Reel Paradise shows the Taveunians reacting to everything from Steamboat Bill Jr. to Jackass: The Movie, Pierson and his family discussing the reactions of his patrons, the exhibitors' sometimes thorny relationship with Christian missionaries who question his influence on the community, and the cultural and economic divide between the Pierson family and the Fiji natives. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Category: Culture & Society

Features: Audio commentary with Steve James and Janet Pierson
16x9 anamorphic widescreen
Deleted scenes
Alternate ending
Split Screen: Fiji Stooges
Trailers
5.1 mix

Reel Paradise

Format: DVD

Release Date: 02/14/2006

Audio: DD2 Dolby Digital Stereo, DD5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1

Runtime: 110 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English

Chapters: Disc #1 -- Reel Paradise
1. Frontlines of Cinema [2:09]
2. John and Janet Pierson [3:14]
3. 180 Meridian Cinema, Fiji [1:45]
4. Reel Paradise [5:00]
5. First Screening [12:40]
6. No Way to Put on a Show [5:33]
7. Island Trouble [8:53]
8. Wyatt and Georgia [11:19]
9. God Doesn't Watch Movies [5:21]
10. Student Film Festival [4:39]
12. Final Weeks [11:24]
13. Georgia and Miriama [4:21]
14. The Jackass Test [9:49]
15. Wyatt Runs the Show [6:18]
16. Changes and Goodbyes [5:50]
17. The Last Picture Show [3:46]
18. Lights Out/Credits [3:58]

Cast and Crew: Janet Pierson  Actor 
Wyatt Pierson  Actor 
John Pierson  Actor 
Georgia Pierson  Actor 
Steve James  Director 
Steve James  Producer 
Kevin Smith  Executive Producer 
John Pierson  Executive Producer 
Scott Mosier  Executive Producer 
Scott Mosier  Producer 
Norman Arnold  Composer (Music Score) 
Janet Pierson  Executive Producer 

Country: USA