It Must Be Heaven Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A perpetually silent dude travels to Paris and New York to discover that everything reminds him of home, which is probably annoying for him.

🍿 It Must Be Heaven: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Departure from Nazareth

Elia Suleiman, playing himself, a Palestinian filmmaker, leaves Nazareth seeking a new place to call home. He observes the daily life around him with a detached, often humorous perspective, noticing the absurdities and quiet tensions of his homeland. This section establishes his observant, silent character.

Parisian Observations

Suleiman travels to Paris to seek funding for his film. He encounters various characters and situations, observing the city with the same detached curiosity as he did in Nazareth. He notes the militarization and social dynamics of Paris, finding subtle parallels to his experiences in Palestine.

New York Absurdities

In New York, Suleiman continues his search for funding and a sense of belonging. He meets with a producer, played by Gael García Bernal, who questions the ‘Palestinian-ness’ of his film. He witnesses increasingly bizarre and comical scenes, highlighting the universality of human absurdity and the ever-present shadow of conflict and control.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• ES (Elia Suleiman) (Elia Suleiman): A silent filmmaker who travels from Palestine to Paris and New York, observing the absurdities and parallels to his homeland.
• Old Neighbour (Tarik Kopty): A resident in Nazareth who represents the everyday life and interactions of people in Palestine.
• Young Neighbour (Kareem Ghneim): A resident in Nazareth who represents the everyday life and interactions of people in Palestine.
• French Producer (Vincent Maraval): A film producer in Paris who exemplifies the challenges and absurdities of the film industry.
• Tarot Reader (Stephen McHattie): A person who interacts with Elia, representing the everyday life in New York.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Professor: “First… Welcome to New York, It’s good to have you here at our school. I will start by asking you to share with us your experience as a filmmaker and to speak about the ways of being and feeling that have or have not permitted you to achieve… the conditions of becoming what we call a citizen of the world.” – This quote satirizes the expectations placed on artists from marginalized backgrounds to represent their entire culture.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $2,185,308

💥 It Must Be Heaven Reviews

Personal Review

I watched this and felt like I was in on a really clever inside joke the whole time. Suleiman’s silent persona is hilarious and poignant, and the way he captures the little absurdities of everyday life is masterful. I especially loved the scene in Paris with the empty streets—it was so visually striking and strangely unsettling. It’s definitely a movie that stays with you long after the credits roll.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Jacques Tati and Buster Keaton”
  • “Viewers interested in Palestinian cinema”
  • “Those who appreciate observational comedy and satire”
  • “People seeking thought-provoking, artistic films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some scenes may contain subtle political commentary and references to conflict.”
  • “Minimal violence.”
  • “Dry humor that may not appeal to all viewers.”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Suleiman’s signature deadpan humor and observational style are in full force. The film quietly observes the absurdities of modern life with a uniquely Palestinian perspective.
• The Guardian: “A beautifully shot, thought-provoking film that uses silence to speak volumes about identity, displacement, and the search for home.

Audience Reactions

The film’s unique visual style and deadpan humor resonated with audiences.: Many praised the film’s subtle yet powerful commentary on Palestinian identity and the search for belonging.

Overall Consensus: A contemplative and visually striking film that offers a unique perspective on identity, displacement, and the universal search for home.

Awards

1. Cannes Film Festival (Special Mention)- 2019

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Elia Suleiman plays a semi-autobiographical version of himself in the film, drawing on his experiences as a Palestinian filmmaker traveling the world.”
• “The film is largely dialogue-free, relying on visual storytelling and physical comedy to convey its themes.”
• “The film was an official submission of Palestine for the ‘Best International Feature Film’ category of the 92nd Academy Awards in 2020.”

🖥️ How to Watch It Must Be Heaven?

As of October 2024, ‘It Must Be Heaven’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Google Play. Check your local listings for streaming options and availability as services may vary by region. It’s also often screened at independent cinemas and film festivals.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed It Must Be Heaven, you might like these similar films:

• Playtime (1967): Both films utilize observational humor and visual gags to explore themes of modernity, alienation, and cultural identity in urban environments.
• Barton Fink (1991): Explores a filmmaker’s struggles with identity and artistic integrity when confronted with external expectations and the absurdity of the film industry, similar to Suleiman’s experiences.
• The General (1926): Both films use a silent film format to use slapstick comedy to show serious topics.
• Paterson (2016): Employs a quiet, observational style to portray the beauty and absurdity of everyday life, with a focus on subtle moments and understated humor.
• Stranger Than Paradise (1984): Features a deadpan, minimalist style and a focus on the mundane to create a unique and darkly comedic portrayal of alienation and cultural displacement.

🛒 It Must Be Heaven Related Products

• Palestine Speaks: Narratives of Life Under Occupation: A collection of personal stories, poems, and essays offering a deep look into the lives and experiences of Palestinians living under occupation.
• Jacques Tati: The Complete Collection: Includes all of Jacques Tati’s beloved films, showcasing his unique brand of visual comedy and social satire, with clear parallels to this film.
• Palestinian Flag T-Shirt: High-quality t-shirt featuring the Palestinian flag, perfect for expressing solidarity and cultural pride.

🎧 Soundtrack

It Must Be Heaven features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “L’amour est un oiseau rebelle” – performed by Georges Bizet
• “Ya Tara” – performed by Fairuz

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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