The Germans´ love for mail order does not stop at underwear and hifi systems: Nowadays,
many of them resort to a catalogue even when it comes to planning the most beautiful day
in life. Big travel operators offer all-in-one marriage packs for every need and budget.
When aired in July 97 on ARD, "Wedding in Paradise" drew the top
rating in its time slot, beating ZDF´s main news show, SAT.1´s most popular crime
series, and "Batman II" on Pro 7.
In this documentary, we accompany two German couples on their very different "paths
to paradise". One goes for luxury: When a model from Berlin and a steel merchant from
Austria decided to tie the knot, they booked a whole Polynesian village for their 20
guests.
They are treated like kings: While the groom gets dressed up like a tribal chief, the
bride is body-painted the colour of Polynesian Princesses. Ornated with exotic flowers,
the two consummate their marriage in a secret temple.
Then, after a wild dance on the beach, the newly-weds glide into the sunset on the royal
canoe.
The second couple, Uwe and Kerstin from Eastern Germany are far less affluent. Fiancées
for years, they are living under the same roof, but are reluctant to marry. Then, in a
marriage catalogue, Uwe comes across the offer of their dreams. In the dark of night, they
leave the narrow borders of their small village for a discount wedding in Sri Lanka,
elephant included - and find themselves thrilled by the intense colours and strange
rituals of an alien culture beyond their comprehension.
Length: 1 X 45 minutes or 1 X 29 minutes.
© VIDICOM Media Productions
Dr. Peter Bardehle - Hofweg 49 - 22085 Hamburg - Germany
Phone: +49 40 222 133 / Fax: +49 40 2271 5757