Our Paradise (film)

Our Paradise is a 2023 documentary film directed by Kamala Shirin Gupta. The film explores the complexities of creating and sustaining utopian communities, specifically focusing on two communities founded in Kerala, India: one a self-sufficient community emphasizing sustainable living and the other a spiritual retreat center focused on inner peace and meditation.

The documentary examines the ideals that drive individuals to seek alternative ways of living, the challenges they face in building and maintaining these communities, and the compromises they must make between their ideals and the realities of human nature and external pressures. It highlights the tensions that arise between individual aspirations and collective goals, and questions whether true utopia is attainable.

The film uses observational filmmaking techniques, allowing viewers to witness the daily lives of the community members and hear their perspectives on the joys and struggles of their chosen lifestyle. Our Paradise aims to spark a dialogue about the search for meaning, the importance of community, and the possibilities for creating more fulfilling ways of living.