Attack on Paradise: action with a diverse cast

And that is what he has done with Attack on Paradise, an Antwerp-set action movie that reflects the diversity of the community in which he grew up. “We are children of the diaspora, so we want to tell this story from the hood and capture its culture.”

Saïd started working on the story for Attack on Paradise during the enforced break of the Covid pandemic. His aim was to both reflect the community in which he grew up, and to create an entertaining movie with a relatable hero.

This hero is Souleyman, who returns home after seven years in prison determined to pick up his life again. However, the apartment block where he lived, called Paradise, has fallen into complete disrepair and been taken over by gangs and drug dealers. 

On the day of his return, the police decide to raid Paradise. Suleyman finds himself caught up in the violence, with just one goal: to find his mother, who still lives there, and get her to safety. Alongside rookie police officer Yasmine, Suleyman battles his way up, floor by floor.

With lockdown over, Saïd took his screenplay to Hendrik Verthé, Yves Van de Paer and Kobe Van Steenberghe of A Team Productions, who he knew from working on the films Gangsta and Gangstas, directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah. 

The producers then presented the project to partners including Amazon, Independent Films and Kinepolis Film Distribution, all of whom quickly embraced the film and its potential. Thanks to the support of the Flemish Audiovisual Fund (VAF), Screen Flanders and the Belgian Tax Shelter system, the financing came together remarkably quickly, allowing the team to move into production without lengthy delays.

In addition to Saïd as Souleyman, the cast includes Clara Cleymans (Code 37, De Ridder, Yummy) as Yasmine, the rookie police officer, and Achmed Akkabi (Mocro Maffia) as the drug lord Prince. Alongside them are a host of characters cast from the community. 

“For me, there were several great discoveries,” says Bob. “The one who really stands out is Salahdine Ibnou Kacemi, who plays the role of Musa. I already knew that he had appeared in a few small roles before, but apart from that he had very little acting experience. To me, alongside our main characters, he is the revelation of the film. His timing, his performance and his screen presence are outstanding. It feels as if he's been acting all his life.”

Others had no previous experience, such as Chino (Lautaro Navarro) and Hatnaa Bold. “They both did a fantastic job as well. They brought something that actors straight out of film school often don't have: real street credibility.”

Finally, there is Jamal Ben Saddik, a professional kickboxer who plays the drug lord’s enforcer. “For his role, he didn't have to look very far for inspiration. In the world of boxing, you never show your weaknesses, so the role of the Lion suited him perfectly.”

Saïd wasn’t surprised that these ‘unknown’ talents made their mark. “They aren't exceptions to the rule. They're guys who should have been given opportunities a long time ago,” he says. “But for someone who doesn't know the world we come from, it would be quite a surprise to see these guys in action.”

This diversity also extended to the crew, for example with stunt choreographer Rafik Bobo. “Rafik is a Moroccan guy from the hood,” Saïd says. “We grew up in the same apartment building. He made his career as a stuntman, but never had a chance to be a stunt choreographer, and we were able to give him a first chance.”

Literally representing the neighbourhood is the tower block itself. “There are some favourite places in Antwerp where people shoot a lot of films,” says Bob, “but we found one that had not appeared in a movie yet, and was scheduled for renovation. So, it became another character in the movie.”

“I’m from that area,” Saïd recalls, “and as a kid I would visit my aunt in that building. So, 30 years later, everything came full circle.”

In conceiving Attack on Paradise, Saïd drew on a love of cult action films such as District 13 and Yamakasi. “They’re movies with a lot of action and stunts, but it’s action with a heart,” he says, citing Die Hard, John Wick and Old Boy as further references. 

“A lot of action films and thrillers from the 1990s also inspired me, and so Attack on Paradise is a bit of a tribute to this era,” Bob says, nodding towards the Jean-Claude Van Damme films Bloodsport, Time Cop and The Quest. 

“I hope that people see a hero in Souleyman,” he adds. “I hope they leave the cinema with the feeling that they should never give up, just like Saïd never gave up.”

Attack on Paradise will have its world première in July at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montréal, and arrive in Belgian and Dutch cinemas in September. International rights are handled by Blue Finch Film Releasing.