Paradise

"The definitive firsthand account of California's Camp Fire-the nation's deadliest wildfire in a century-and a riveting ... (more)

"The definitive firsthand account of California's Camp Fire-the nation's deadliest wildfire in a century-and a riveting examination of what went wrong and how to avert future tragedies as the climate crisis unfolds. On November 8, 2018, the people of Paradise, California, awoke to a mottled gray sky and gusty winds. Soon the Camp Fire was upon them, gobbling an acre a second. Less than two hours after the fire ignited, the town was engulfed in flames, the residents trapped in their homes and cars. By the next morning, eighty-five people were dead. San Francisco Chronicle reporter Lizzie Johnson was there as the town of Paradise burned. She saw the smoldering rubble of a historic covered bridge and the beloved Black Bear Diner and she stayed long afterward, visiting shelters, hotels, and makeshift camps. Drawing on years of on-the-ground reporting and reams of public records, including 911 calls and testimony from a grand jury investigation, Johnson provides a minute-by-minute account of the Camp Fire, following residents and first responders as they fight to save themselves and their town. We see a young mother fleeing with her newborn; a school bus full of children in search of an escape route; and a group of paramedics, patients, and nurses trapped in a cul-de-sac, fending off the fire with rakes and hoses. Johnson documents the unfolding tragedy with empathy and nuance. But she also investigates the root causes, from runaway climate change to a deeply flawed alert system to Pacific Gas and Electric's decades-long neglect of critical infrastructure. A cautionary tale for a new era of megafires, Paradise is the gripping story of a town wiped off the map and the determination of its people to rise again."-- (less)

"A finalist for the 1994 Booker Prize, England's highest honor for works of fiction, Paradise is at once the story of an... (more)

"A finalist for the 1994 Booker Prize, England's highest honor for works of fiction, Paradise is at once the story of an African boy{u2019}s coming-of-age, a tragic love story, and a tale of the corruption of African tradition by European colonialism. Sold by his father in repayment of a debt, twelve-year-old Yusuf is thrown from his simple rural life into the complexities of pre-colonial urban East Africa. Through Yusuf{u2019}s eyes, Gurnah depicts communities at war, trading safaris gone awry, and the universal trials of adolescence. The result is a page-turning saga that offers a unique perspective on a seldom-chronicled part of the world"--Back cover. (less)

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As the book begins deep in Oklahoma early one morning in 1976, nine men from Ruby (pop. 360), in defense of the "one all... (more)

As the book begins deep in Oklahoma early one morning in 1976, nine men from Ruby (pop. 360), in defense of the "one all-black town worth the pain," assault the nearby Convent and the women in it. From the town's ancestral origins in 1890 to the fateful day of the assault, Paradise tells the story of a people ever mindful of the relationship between their spectacular history and a void "Out There...where random and organized evil erupted when and where it chose." (less)

After a nearly fatal accident, Lamb Mannerheim realizes that the world is much bigger than her small, God-fearing Montan... (more)

After a nearly fatal accident, Lamb Mannerheim realizes that the world is much bigger than her small, God-fearing Montana town and heads to Las Vegas! (less)

This extraordinary film is the touching story of the lost love between a young married couple and how a visiting youngst... (more)

This extraordinary film is the touching story of the lost love between a young married couple and how a visiting youngster rekindles that love one memorable summer. (less)

After a nearly fatal accident, 21-year-old Lamb Mannerheim is beginning to realize that the world is much bigger than he... (more)

After a nearly fatal accident, 21-year-old Lamb Mannerheim is beginning to realize that the world is much bigger than her small, God-fearing Montana town. Armed with a big, fat insurance payout and a checklist of untried sins, Las Vegas is the only place for her first taste of temptation. And, with the help of a few new friends, Lamb embarks on an oddball odyssey of lost souls, broken faith, and cheap cocktails. (less)

With Andres Alameida, Daniela Rincon, Camila Selser, Beatriz Moreno, Jose Sefami..Childhood sweethearts Carmen and Alfre... (more)

With Andres Alameida, Daniela Rincon, Camila Selser, Beatriz Moreno, Jose Sefami..Childhood sweethearts Carmen and Alfredo live a life of quiet bliss in Satelite, a sleepy suburb outside of Mexico City. When Alfredo is offered a promotion, the lovebirds make the move into the bustling metropolis...It’s a rude awakening for Carmen, who until now has not really worried about the fact that she and Alfredo are both overweight...After overhearing gossip about their bodies at a company party, she decides that it is time to swap donuts for salads, and urges Alfredo to join her in a weight-loss program. But when only one of them actually starts to slim down, a rift emerges in their relationship...Portrayed with undeniable charm by newcomer Daniela Rincon and well-known Andres Alameida, Paradise touches upon issues of body image, self-confidence and happiness with candor and humor. The film is executive-produced by Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal. (less)

An Official Selection at the Cannes Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival, PARADISE is the story of peop... (more)

An Official Selection at the Cannes Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival, PARADISE is the story of people heading for a better place on either side of the ocean. Although at times their paths do cross, they never really seem to meet.. Winner at the Anima Film Festival and Best Student Film Nominee at the Plymouth Film Festival. (less)