John Wick’-style Belgian thriller 'Paradise' gets Cannes market boost by Blue Finch

Blue Finch Films has acquired worldwide sales rights – with the exception of Benelux – for "Paradise," an action-packed Belgian crime thriller by director Bob Colaers, ahead of the Cannes Film Market. Currently in production, the film is slated to finish in late Q3 2026.

Kinepolis Film Distribution has secured the Belgian rights, while Independent Films will handle the Netherlands. Prime Video is set to stream it in the Benelux region.

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The plot, driven by the high-energy action found in "The Raid" and the "John Wick" series, follows Suleyman, who, after a seven-year incarceration, returns to find his apartment complex overtaken by drug traffickers. As violence erupts, his primary concern becomes safeguarding his mother.

Said Boumazoughe, co-writer of the screenplay and its leading actor, is recognized for his role in Rupert Wyatt’s "Desert Warrior."

The film’s ensemble includes Clara Cleymans, Achmed Akkabi, Jamal Ben Saddik, and Imanuelle Grives. Boumazoughe penned the screenplay with Sven Huybrechts and Salahdine Ibnou Kacemi. Colaers has previously directed “Trizombie.”

“We teamed up to create an explosive action film from the neighborhood for the neighborhood,” shared Boumazoughe and Colaers.

Produced by Kobe Van Steenberghe, Hendrik Verthé, and Yves Van de Paer through Belgium’s A Team Productions, in collaboration with Jamel Aattache of Dutch company Aattache Film, the project received financial support from the Flanders Audiovisual Fund, Netherlands Production Incentive, Screen Flanders, and the Belgian Tax Shelter.

Blue Finch’s Cannes lineup also features the Tribeca-nominated “Recluse,” Rotterdam selection “Bowels of Hell” from Oscar-winning RT Features, and SXSW-highlighted films “American Dollhouse” and “Imposters.”