Sunday, Apr 19, 2026
Paraiso Tropical
Pre-Fest Engagement
7:00 pm Film and Discussion
$20 General Admission | $15 Senior | $10 Student | Sponsors Free
Post-film discussion with director and subject Abner Benaim
Live at The Weitzman
Directed by Abner Benaim
Documentary | Panama | 2025 | 90 min | Spanish with English Subtitles
Northeast Premier
Set against the lush backdrop of Panama, this gripping psychological docu-thriller unravels the haunting legacy of a 1994 terrorist attack rooted in the tangled geopolitics of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Through a meticulous blend of investigative journalism and deeply personal testimony, Tropical Paradise (Paraíso Tropical) probes the unanswered questions that still surround the tragedy—examining how the shockwaves of violence continue to shape the lives of survivors, families, and an entire community decades later. A powerful meditation on memory, trauma, and reconciliation, Tropical Paradise transcends the specifics of one event to confront universal questions of justice and humanity, urging viewers to reflect on the enduring cost of hatred and the possibility of healing.
Abner Benaim (Director/Producer/Screenwriter) Benaim is considered one of the pioneers of Panamanian cinema since his debut film, the comedy CHANCE (2010). He has represented his country three times as the official selection for the Oscars with his documentaries “Invasion” (2014) and “Ruben Blades is Not My Name” (2018), and in 2017 with the drama “Plaza Catedral,” which was shortlisted for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars. Benaim is a founding member of the Panama Film Academy and a voting member of the United States’ Academy of Motion Pictures. In 2004, he founded the production company Apertura Films in Panama. Abner is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.
Present by Philadelphia Jewish Film and Media in partnership with UPenn Cinema and Media and UPenn Hillel.
Please reach out to info@phillyjfm.org with any questions.
