Paradise on Earth

In 1863, a young boy named Benedict sets out on a journey sent by his family, joining 83 Czech and German settlers from the village of Stod in the Pilsen region. Leaving the only world he has ever known, he faces a long and perilous voyage across the ocean to the far side of the world. In the wild and almost mythical landscape of New Zealand, shaped by raw nature and Māori tribes, he searches not only for a better life but for his own place within it. Through Benedikt’s eyes, we witness the courage, struggles, and resilience of those who left their homeland to build the settlement of Puhoi. This is both a chronicle of migration and a coming-of-age story of loss, growth, and the search for home in a place where none existed. Puhoi still stands as a testament to their faith, solidarity, and the quiet imprint of a boy forced to grow up far too soon.

Director’s statement
Our film brings to light a previously unexplored story of the first Czech settlers in New Zealand, whose fate became an unexpected intersection of Czech, German, and Māori history. It uncovers a little-known chapter of 19th-century Czech emigration through timeless themes of identity, cultural encounter, and the illusion of a new beginning. The project’s uniqueness lies in its use of 3D animation for an adult audience, avoiding a cartoon aesthetic in favor of atmosphere, symbolism, and visual integrity. We aim to combine 3D CGI with watercolor influences and the realism of 19th-century oil painting, inspired by the work of Gottfried Lindauer, who became known for his portraits of Māori people. Nature itself becomes symbolic, evolving alongside the emotional journey of the characters – from a dark, hostile jungle into a place that can finally be called home.