Gran Paradiso

Mark (Ken Duken, "Schlaraffenland") is a "Star trek" fan. He´s sitting in a wheelchair after a motorcycle accident. It was his big dream to climb up on the Gran Paradiso (=Piz Palu), a mountain in the swiss alps. After a try to suicide, his new therapist Lisa (Regula Grauwiller, "Kurz und schmerzlos") promises to bring him up - together with social worker Martin (Max Herbrechter), two mentally handicapped and three guys from jail (for rehabilitation). Absolutely different people collide and have to grow together in an extreme situation. It seems to be an impossible journey with an uncertain ending. This could have easily been a simple "tear jearker", but luckily it isn´t - thanks to Ken Duken and the rest of the crew, and of course director Miguel Alexandre. "Gran Paradiso" is epic and emotional - but not sentimental. Mission successful, Mr. Spock!

Sometimes you sit down channel surfing passing the time of day or night and come across a film that is simply awe inspiring.

In Australia we have two non-commercial national TV stations, ABC & SBS. SBS is good because it usually, provided no sport, shows 2-3 foreign (ie non-English speaking films per week), ad-free and with sub titles.

I was intrigued because beginning of film featured a social worker; an injured young man; his depression with becoming paralysed whilst on the way to climb the Gran Paradiso with his father (his father died in the accident) and her attempts to help him by using prisoners from a reform school.

I love films that feature mountains (eg K2, Cliffhanger) and this was more a human drama that action packed as the before mentioned films.

The mountain is a symbol for us all to conquer when we face our fears and inadequacies. I will never conquer 'my mountain'. Both times I watched this film I had tears on my face at the end. I am sure that for many viewers it will have a similar effect.

It is good that the European countries try to maintain their own TV & film industries. This is distinctly European without the overt sentimentality associated with similar American tearjerkers.

Having said that no-one can produce domestic (ie within households)crime & drama and psychological films like the Americans, especially those films set in small-town or suburban USA.

There are two schools of thought...those who say it is a waste of time and energy striving to do the impossible...and those who say that nothing is really impossib;e!

This film is about the impossible dream of a young man Mark (Ken Duken) confined to a wheelchair as a confirmed paraplegic. He is sensitive about his condition, frustrated and angry with thoughts of suicide. His greatest wish in life is to climb a snow-capped mountain called Gran Paradiso.

Lisa is a newly-appointed physiotherapist who attends to his case. She understands his plight and consults with a friend who is in charge of long term prison inmates. Between them they decide on a plan to construct a special stretcher and have three specially selected prisoners carry Mark to the summit. A group of mentally handicapped patients join the party.

The film is very moving as we examine in depth each of the characters as they face the strenuous uphill climb, first over a rocky terrain and later through the snow. They tend to blame each other for what is becoming a stupid and impossible stuggle to the top.

A very exciting part of the journey is when they reach a seemingly impassible crevasse. How on earth can it be crossed? It is solved in an unpredictable way.

With the peak in sight you begin to ask yourself...will they make it to the top or will the struggle end in disappointment? You feel deeply engrossed in the circumstances...what madness set them on this course? Would I have turned back as others have threatened to do?

It is indeed a strange collection of characters, arguing and threatening, consoling and finally accepting the increasing difficulties. In a way the upward climb is symbolic of life's journey which besets all of us.

I will be surprised if after viewing this film your heart is not filled with inspiration and a desire to contemplate how little your problems are by comparison. A very emotional ending.

Gran Paradiso, a German movie in Hollywood style. Gran Paradiso takes you to a breathtaking journey of beautiful scenery to the Alps and to a journey for longing for life. Gran Paradiso is a movie about love, hate, pessimism and optimism and for love for life. A movie with no exaggerated violence and sex. A movie based on a true story. German-Turk movie newcomer Erhan Emre (Rocky) in an unforgettable performance- very impressive. The whole cast is wonderful. New faces that's what German cinemas need! Ken Duken (Mark) just brilliant! Regula Grauwiller (Lisa) from' Kurz und Schmerzlos' by director Fatih Akin is just perfect for the role as a physiotherapist, who helps make Mark's dream come true and saves his live by doing so. Highly recommended.

Ken Duken, as Mark, shines in this beautifully filmed tale (apparently based on a true story)of triumph over tragedy. Certainly not the usual soppy "Hollywood" formula... The scenery in the second half of the film is breath-taking, almost epic in its scale, and looks stunning on a widescreen display.

Sexual tension between Mark, Lisa & Wolf gives an unusual dimension here, though it is never fully explored...

Portrayal of the main two mentally challenged patients is brilliant (I am not aware if these actors were merely playing characters or if they were, indeed, themselves mentally challenged... if so this in itself shows what great character actors they are!). It was also great to see that obviously challenged actors were used in the institution scenes adding to the realism.

I will endeavor to find this title on DVD with English subtitles as I was so impressed! I'm sure that "Star Trek" fans will find this film amusing too...