Watch Bernal Heights Filmmaker Joe Talbot’s 'American Paradise'

Watch Bernal Heights Filmmaker Joe Talbot’s 'American Paradise'Photo: Bernalwood
Todd Lappin
Published on July 21, 2017

When we last heard from Bernal Heights filmmaker Joe Talbot, he was schmoozing with the stars at the Sundance Film Festival.

Talbot, a native of Montcalm Street and winner of the coveted “Best of Bernal” prize at the 2014 Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema Festival, was at Sundance in February to premier American Paradise, a short film he wrote and directed.

If you just couldn’t make it to Sundance, you’re in luck; Talbot has posted the complete movie online.

IndieWire called his film one of the “must-see shorts” at Sundance, and Vimeo just selected it as a Staff Pick Premiere. Emily Bruder at No Film School writes:

It’s the story of a forgotten man in Trump’s America who tries to shift his fate with the perfect crime—until, of course, all goes horribly wrong. Its tagline, “based on an unfortunately true story,” perfectly encapsulates the film’s sense of humor and underlying somber message. Rendered with a pastel color palette and compositions that would make Wes Anderson weep, American Paradise announces an exciting new talent in Talbot.

Here's Talbot's film, American Paradise.

American Paradise, a film by Joe Talbot. | Vimeo