Rebuilding Paradise

Last updated
Rebuilding Paradise
Rebuilding Paradise poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Ron Howard
Produced by
CinematographyLincoln Else
Edited byM. Watanabe Milmore
Music by
Production
company
Distributed by National Geographic Documentary Films
Abramorama
Release dates
Running time
95 minutes [1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Rebuilding Paradise is a 2020 American documentary film directed and produced by Ron Howard. The film follows the rebuild of Paradise, California, following the 2018 California wildfires, specifically the Camp Fire, known as the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California's history, and the most expensive natural disaster in the world in 2018 in terms of insured losses. The film was first announced in January 2019. Lincoln Else was the cinematographer, and Lorne Balfe and Hans Zimmer composed the score.

Contents

Acquired by National Geographic Films, Rebuilding Paradise had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2020, subsequently followed by theatrical and television release several months later. The former faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It later also saw digital and home media releases. The film received universal critical acclaim for its portrayal of the residents of Paradise as well as the cinematography and score, though some critics found its narrative confusing.

Summary

Rebuilding Paradise begins by chronicling the 2018 Camp Fire, part of the 2018 California wildfires, which occurred in Paradise on November 8, 2018, through videos recorded by locals and a policeman. Prior, warnings of a potential fire exacerbated by strong winds had been declared. As predicted, the fire spread rapidly, destroying objects in a short period of time. Mandatory evacuation was soon declared. Residents are warned to evacuate on foot, though most violated and continued driving; many made their way out, while others died of suffocation.

"There [was] a gentleman who [...] said [to me], 'My family is trying to get out of [Paradise] going down Circle Drive.' And I was like, 'They need to not go that way.' But there was no cell service. In the [next] morning, I went down there, and turn up did find that the [car] had burned, and [...] didn't find anything. But a little bit later, I saw a lady [talking] about going down Circle Drive and her vehicle [burned], and her son being there and getting him out of there. She had burns in her arms, [starts tearing up] and I know it was her, so... [silence] I [...] gave her a hug because I've been looking for her body. [silence] Sorry. [leaves the scene, camera stays still]

—Police officer Matt Gates

The residents of Paradise then describe their close connection to the town. Former mayor Woody Culleton recalls being an alcoholic living in the caravan of a backyard in 1981; he sobered up three years later, became an official in 2004, and subsequently became mayor. Meanwhile, many survivors were assisted by disaster recovery centers, though certain residents doubts Paradise will be rebuilt. A memorial was later held honoring the dead.

A month after the fire, the process of rebuilding was announced by the head of the Paradise Police. People later began living in the territory in trailers, they also reunite at a small party held by Paradise police officer Matt Gates. Three months later, however, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) states that, due to the discovery of various lethal chemicals like benzene, debris must be removed before any property can be placed; this is met with reluctance-filled resident-government clashes. This slowly found a solution, and Culleton becomes the first person permitted to rebuild his house. While more houses were starting to be built, FEMA also made temporary houses. The Paradise High School also reopens by celebrating delayed graduates. On June 11, 2019, community leader Philip Allan John died from cardiac arrest; his wife, Michelle John, says that this and the Camp Fire stresses the need to prioritize health first. A resident says that the younger generations may not see a better future retaining in Paradise, as it was before the fire. However the film later shines more hope on a better future of the community, through the perseverance of its residents.

Meanwhile, the film reflects: while strong winds and history of logging factored the fire, the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is the main one. After the fire prediction, the company cut power to prevent the fire, but it did not, as one of its aged transmission lines sparked. This revelation saw outcry among residents calling them ignorant; Culleton sent a letter featuring photos of the aftermath. Paradise attorney Joe Early and environmental activist Erin Brockovich filed a lawsuit; the former said the company never cared about the environment during his experience working with them, and the latter said the company is responsible for much more incidents. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) deemed PG&E responsible. 9 months after the fire, prescribed burning was done towards the young trees in order to prevent future similar fires.

Production

The Camp Fire as seen from satellite Camp Fire oli 2018312 Landsat.jpg
The Camp Fire as seen from satellite

In January 2019, it was announced Ron Howard would direct the film and serve as a producer under his Imagine Entertainment banner, with National Geographic Documentary Films distributing. [2]

Release

Rebuilding Paradise had its world premiere on January 24, 2020, at the Sundance Film Festival. [3] An April 15 screening was also expected at the Tribeca Film Festival, but restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the festival. [4] [5] It was also an official selection at the 2020 AFI Docs. At its July screening at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, every US$1 from the tickets sold goes to charities supporting Paradise. [6]

The film later premiered theatrically in the United States on July 31, 2020. Due to COVID-19 restrictions closing various theaters, Howard allowed any medium of distribution possible. Eventually, over 70 virtual cinemas, "carefully selected" traditional theaters, and drive-in theaters played it. National Geographic and Imagine Entertainment then took to distributor Abramorama, who distributed Howard's previous work, The Beatles: Eight Days A Week (2016). Rebuilding Paradise later saw a virtual cinema premiere on July 12, which amassed over 6,000 viewers, including first responders; the film's team said they were heartened by the news. [7]

Critical reception

Rebuilding Paradise holds a 93% approval rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 68 reviews, with an average of 7.5/10. The consensus reads, "From the horror of natural disaster to the spirit summoned behind the titular effort, Rebuilding Paradise stirringly depicts one community's perseverance." [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paradise, California</span> Town in California, United States

Paradise is a town in Butte County, California, United States, in the Sierra Nevada foothills above the northeastern Sacramento Valley. As of the 2020 census, the town population was 4,764, a decline of over 80% from the 26,218 residents recorded in the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marshall Curry</span> American film director (born 1970)

Marshall Curry is an Oscar-winning American documentary director, producer, cinematographer and editor. His films include Street Fight, Racing Dreams, If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front, Point and Shoot, and A Night at the Garden. His first fiction film was the Academy Award-winning short film The Neighbors' Window (2019).

<i>Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work</i> 2010 American film

Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work is a 2010 documentary film about the life and career of comedian Joan Rivers, also featuring Melissa Rivers, Don Rickles and Kathy Griffin.

<i>Connected: An Autoblogography About Love, Death & Technology</i> 2011 American film

Connected: An Autoblogography About Love, Death, & Technology is an autobiographical documentary film directed by Tiffany Shlain, dedicated to her father. The film unfolds during a year in which technology and science literally become a matter of life and death for the director. As Tiffany's father Dr. Leonard Shlain, MD battles brain cancer and she confronts a high-risk pregnancy, her very understanding of connection is challenged. Using a mix of animation, archival footage, and home movies, Shlain attempts to reveal the ties that link us not only to the people we love but also to the world at large. Connected explores how, after centuries of declaring our independence, it may be time for us to declare our interdependence instead.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amy Ziering</span> American filmmaker

Amy Ziering is an American film producer and director. Mostly known for her work in documentary films, she is a regular collaborator of director Kirby Dick; they co-directed 2002's Derrida and 2020's On the Record, with Ziering also producing several of Dick's films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Donahue (filmmaker)</span> American film director and producer

Tom Donahue is an American film director, producer, and co-showrunner. His work as writer, director, and showrunner includes the Paramount Plus Original docuseries Murder of God's Banker and the upcoming six-part docuseries Mafia Spies, based on the 2019 book by Thomas Maier about the CIA-Mafia assassination plots against Fidel Castro.

<i>Champs</i> (film) 2014 American film

Champs is a 2014 documentary film focusing on boxers Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, and Bernard Hopkins. The film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 19, 2014. Starz released the film on March 13, 2015, in a theatrical release and through video on demand.

<i>Prophets Prey</i> 2015 American documentary film

Prophet's Prey is a 2015 American documentary directed and written by Amy J. Berg. The film follows Warren Jeffs, the president of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, who is now running the religion from the confines of the Texas state prison, serving out a life sentence, for the rape of young girls. The film is an adaptation of the 2011 book of the same name by Sam Brower, who also serves as a producer on the film. Ron Howard serves as an executive producer under his Imagine Entertainment banner.

<i>Cormans World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel</i> 2011 American film

Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel is a 2011 documentary film directed by Alex Stapleton about the life and career of filmmaker Roger Corman.

<i>Whose Streets?</i> 2017 American film

Whose Streets? is a 2017 American documentary film about the killing of Michael Brown and the Ferguson uprising. Directed by Sabaah Folayan and co-directed by Damon Davis, Whose Streets? premiered in competition at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival, then was released theatrically in August, 2017, for the anniversary of Brown's death. It was a nominee for Critics' Choice and Gotham Independent Film awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camp Fire (2018)</span> 2018 wildfire in Northern California

The 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California's Butte County was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California's history. The fire began on the morning of Thursday, November 8, 2018, when part of a poorly maintained Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) transmission line in the Feather River Canyon failed during strong katabatic winds. Those winds rapidly drove the Camp Fire through the communities of Concow, Magalia, Butte Creek Canyon, and Paradise, largely destroying them. The fire burned for another two weeks, and was contained on Sunday, November 25, after burning 153,336 acres (62,050 ha). The Camp Fire caused 85 fatalities, displaced more than 50,000 people, and destroyed more than 18,000 structures, causing an estimated $16.5 billion in damage. It was the most expensive natural disaster of 2018.

<i>Dads</i> (film) 2019 American documentary film

Dads is an American documentary film directed by Bryce Dallas Howard in her feature film directorial debut. The film follows a portrait of contemporary fatherhood. It features celebrity fathers including Ron Howard, Jimmy Fallon, Judd Apatow, Jimmy Kimmel, Will Smith, Hasan Minhaj, Ken Jeong and Kenan Thompson, and everyday men around the world.

<i>The Nowhere Inn</i> 2020 American film

The Nowhere Inn is a 2020 American mockumentary psychological thriller-comedy film directed by Bill Benz from a screenplay by Annie Clark in her film debut and Carrie Brownstein. It stars Clark, Brownstein and Dakota Johnson.

<i>The Sparks Brothers</i> 2021 documentary film directed by Edgar Wright

The Sparks Brothers is a 2021 British-American documentary film about Ron and Russell Mael, members of the pop and rock duo Sparks. The film, directed by Edgar Wright, and produced by Wright, Nira Park, George Hencken and Laura Richardson, premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival and was theatrically released the following summer. It received critical acclaim.

<i>I Carry You with Me</i> 2020 American-Mexican drama film

I Carry You with Me is a 2020 Mexican-American romantic drama film directed by Heidi Ewing, from a screenplay by Ewing and Alan Page Arriaga. It stars Armando Espitia, Christian Vázquez, Michelle Rodríguez, Ángeles Cruz, Arcelia Ramírez and Michelle González.

<i>Time</i> (2020 film) 2020 American film

Time is a 2020 American documentary film produced and directed by Garrett Bradley. It follows Sibil Fox Richardson and her fight for the release of her husband, Rob, who was serving a 60-year prison sentence for engaging in an armed bank robbery.

<i>Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It</i> 2021 film

Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It is a 2021 American documentary film, directed, produced, and edited by Mariem Pérez Riera. The film follows Rita Moreno, focusing on her early life and career. Norman Lear, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Michael Kantor serve as executive producers.

<i>Bring Your Own Brigade</i> 2021 American documentary film

Bring Your Own Brigade is a 2021 American documentary film, written, directed, and produced by Lucy Walker. It follows the aftermath of the Camp Fire (2018), the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California's history.

<i>We Feed People</i> 2022 documentary film by Ron Howard

We Feed People is a 2022 American documentary film directed by Ron Howard that chronicles how chef José Andrés and his nonprofit World Central Kitchen rebuild nations in the wake of disaster, providing food to those affected. It had its world premiere in Austin, Texas, at the SXSW Film Festival and was released on March 19, 2022, in the U.S. and in Canada on May 19, 2022, by National Geographic Documentary Films. The film received critical acclaim and was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards at the 74th Emmy Awards.

Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes is a 2024 American documentary film, directed by Nanette Burstein. It explores the life and career of Elizabeth Taylor, told through access to Taylor's archives and newly found audio.

References

  1. ↑ "Rebuilding Paradise". Sundance Film Festival . Archived from the original on June 15, 2020.
  2. ↑ Kiladay, Gregg (January 24, 2019). "Nat Geo Documentary Films Nabs Ron Howard Look at California Wildfires (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on June 15, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  3. ↑ Siegel, Tatiana (December 4, 2019). "Sundance Unveils Female-Powered Lineup Featuring Taylor Swift, Gloria Steinem, Abortion Road Trip Drama". The Hollywood Reporter . MRC. Archived from the original on December 8, 2019. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  4. ↑ Goldsmith, Jill (March 3, 2020). "Tribeca Sets Feature Lineup Of Films For 2020 Fest". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on March 3, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  5. ↑ Beresford, Tribly; Lewis, Hilary (March 12, 2020). "Tribeca Film Festival Postponed Amid Coronavirus Fears". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on March 12, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  6. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (June 25, 2020). "Ron Howard's National Geographic Documentary 'Rebuilding Paradise' Gets Limited Theatrical Release July 31: Watch Trailer". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 26, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  7. ↑ "How Ron Howard's 'Rebuilding Paradise' reimagines releasing a movie during a pandemic". Los Angeles Times. 2020-07-31. Retrieved 2021-07-12.
  8. ↑ "Rebuilding Paradise (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.