Paradise (2011)

Directed by: Jeroen Berkvens | 86 minutes | documentary

Paradise. Heaven on earth for pop lover and musician. To celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the legendary Amsterdam pop stage, Jeroen Berkvens made the documentary ‘Paradiso’. About a building that transformed from church to hippie sanctuary to punk den to concert hall.

The first minutes of ‘Paradiso’ are filled with legendary musicians who once performed there. We see them as ghosts through the empty building, from Ian Curtis and Elvis Costello to The Ramones and Jeff Buckley.

After this, the film alternates between milestones in the history of Paradiso and interviews and concert fragments of musicians. These tell about giving concerts in general and concerts in Paradiso in particular. The film follows the pattern of a concert day. We start in the tour bus with Tim Knol, sound check (and how!) with Martha Wainwright, follow the rituals just before the concerts of Jónsi, Jello Biafra and Daniel Johnston and we go on stage with The Sonics.

Berkvens makes an excellent choice when it comes to the interviewees. Professional talker Henry Rollins talks about conquering a room, Paul Weller about stage fright and Martha Wainwright about the search for a friendly face in the audience. Old punks Johnny Rotten and Hugh Cornwell excel at self-mockery (Rotten) and cynicism (Cornwell). What binds all performers is the fear of going on stage and the courage to expose yourself to a bunch of strangers.

The style of this documentary is remarkably energetic. Just like at a pop concert, your eyes and ears are too short. Split screens, overlapping sounds and music and flashy editing. Not a problem as long as the film is compelling enough, but when the film sinks in (like with the all-too-routine appearance of Public Enemy) you will notice your tired senses and you can get away from it all.

It is the only downside to an otherwise very successful whole. Berkvens once again gives us a glimpse into the musician’s soul, as he did before in his documentary about the troubled gypsy guitarist Jimmy Rosenberg. This documentary is not to be missed for fans of pop music. That certainly applies to enthusiasts who cherish good memories of Paradiso. And who doesn’t?