I’m way behind on my movie watching, and unfortunately just heard about this cool documentary via NPR, in an
interview with
filmmaker, Steve James.
James directed Reel Paradise, which follows producer and “indie
film maven” John Pierson on a cinematic adventure in the South Pacific. Pierson moved to the
Fijian island of Taveuni with his family for a year
to operate the 180 Meridian Cinema and show free movies for the locals on this poor rural island. James joined the
Piersons for their last month on the island, to capture the experience on film. Check out the trailer
here.
It looks like an interesting experiment, and one that was full of culture clashes and challenging situations for the
Piersons and the island natives. The film has been touring the country all year, and will show at the Music Box Theater
in Chicago this Friday evening.