Birds of Paradise

R

2021

1h 53m

Drama

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List

63%

Tomatometer

32 Reviews

38%

Audience Score

50+ Ratings

Kate Sanders is an ambitious and gifted, if tomboyish, aspiring ballerina from Virginia who, because of her low-income status, is given a scholarship to attend a prestigious ballet school in Paris, France. Upon arriving at the cutthroat, internationally-renowned institution, her confidence and emotional fortitude are tested by a beautiful, mysterious fellow dancer, Marine Durand, who recently lost her brother (and dance partner) to suicide. While confrontational at first, Kate and Marine’s relationship evolves into an emotionally-charged, competitive union beset by lies, sexual awakening and, ultimately, emotional breakthrough as they risk everything to win the school’s ultimate prize: a contract to join the Opéra national de Paris.

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Heather Hogan

Autostraddle

Birds of Paradise is a fine little lesbian diversion for a moody day. Worst case, you'll remember how good Diana Silvers is in Booksmart and watch that again.

Nov 2, 2021

Full Review

Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

The dancers are very good, and Jacqueline Bisset playing that devil -- she was absolutely outstanding.

Sep 29, 2021

Full Review

Amy Nicholson

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

High class trash... It is a film that you don't necessarily feel proud of yourself for enjoying as much as you do.

Sep 29, 2021

Full Review

Ruth Maramis

FlixChatter Film Blog

The visual flair + bizarre dance sequences are quite fun to watch, and the two young leads are terrific, but the film further perpetuates the notion that ballet is creepy and filled with terror.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 23, 2023

Full Review

Jason Flatt

But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Birds of Paradise is not a straightforward relationship between its main characters, but neither is any dynamic between two teenagers.

Rated: 8.5/10

Jan 16, 2023

Full Review

John McDonald

Australian Financial Review

By the end it feels like an episode of Project Runway.

Nov 10, 2021

Full Review

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Emily P

A complex film, noticably misunderstood by many reviewers. It is undeniable that depite being arguably distasteful, the subplots of suggested lesbianism and incest make the movie more intriguing.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/09/24

Full Review

Sam N

Honestly I don't know what to say - the entire worm-eating club was trippy and not in a good way. The "last to stop dancing" off was obscure and added nothing to the plot other than declaring competitiveness between the girls, which is already heavily covered throughout the film as it is the entire goal of the ballet school, force competition between teenagers. The conflict between the two girls was over unreasonably quick. I came for the lesbian implications but it was more of a "let's almost kiss to turn a straight guy on" and "maybe I committed incest with my brother," which are both tropes I tend to stay away from. I enjoyed the whole "ruining yourself and your personal relationships for success/fame" theme of the conclusion/epilogue but it was otherwise quite confusing.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/12/24

Full Review

Alica K

Nice visuals. Too slow for me.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/22/24

Full Review

Steve D

A mixed bag trying a bit too much to shock but more good here than bad.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/20/23

Full Review

Cees T

Annoying drama that's still boring at 6x. 4/10 - Very bad.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/14/23

Full Review

Fun and sexy but a bit shallow and underdeveloped.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

Full Review

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Sarah Adina Smith

Director

Diana Silvers

Kate Sanders

Kristine Froseth

Marine Durand

Jacqueline Bisset

Actor

Stav Strashko

Actor

Sarah Adina Smith

Screenwriter

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Birds of Paradise: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Kate Sanders is an ambitious and gifted, if tomboyish, aspiring ballerina from Virginia who, because of her low-income status, is given a scholarship to attend a prestigious ballet school in Paris, France. Upon arriving at the cutthroat, internationally-renowned institution, her confidence and emotional fortitude are tested by a beautiful, mysterious fellow dancer, Marine Durand, who recently lost her brother (and dance partner) to suicide. While confrontational at first, Kate and Marine’s relationship evolves into an emotionally-charged, competitive union beset by lies, sexual awakening and, ultimately, emotional breakthrough as they risk everything to win the school’s ultimate prize: a contract to join the Opéra national de Paris.

Director: Sarah Adina Smith
Screenwriter: Sarah Adina Smith
Production Co: Anonymous Content, Everything Is Everything
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 24, 2021
Runtime: 1h 53m

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