Dominic Sessa Headlines Weston Razoulis Sprawling Action Feature Shades of Paradise Following Production Wrap in Spain

The cinematic landscape continues to shift toward bold, auteur-driven genre filmmaking as breakout star Dominic Sessa prepares to lead the upcoming action-drama Shades of Paradise. Written and directed by Weston Razooli, the sprawling feature has officially wrapped production in Spain. The project pairs Sessa—whose meteoric rise began with Alexander Payne’s Academy Award-winning The Holdovers—with a filmmaker celebrated for his distinct visual style and tactile approach to storytelling.

Produced by Oscar-nominated producer Andrew Morrison of Kaplan Morrison alongside a vast international coalition of producers and executive producers, Shades of Paradise promises an immersive theatrical experience. Shot entirely on 2-perf 35mm film by cinematographer Simone D’Arcangelo, known for his evocative work on The Settlers, the film blends classical celluloid aesthetics with a high-stakes contemporary narrative.

Plot, Cast, and Production Scale

Shades of Paradise centers on an intricate and volatile premise: four small-time criminals find themselves plunged headfirst into a sprawling odyssey defined by violence, double-crosses, and shifting loyalties in the wake of a high-stakes jewel heist. Rather than relying purely on conventional Hollywood action tropes, the film is expected to channel Razooli’s signature penchant for gritty realism, handcrafted elements, and atmospheric tension.

Sessa anchors a sprawling, multi-national ensemble cast that includes Jack Dylan Grazer, Naira Lleo, Najwa Nimri, Rojuu, Zack Harrod, Teru Castilla Serrano, Romann Berrux, Rhys Mitchell, and Stanislav Baretsky. The assembly of performers spans American, Spanish, and European talent, hinting at a borderless narrative scope that utilizes the diverse landscapes of Spain as a character in its own right.

The utilization of 2-perf 35mm film underscores the creative team’s commitment to texture and cinematic heritage. In an era dominated by digital capture, shooting on celluloid offers a distinct grain, warmth, and depth that aligns with the tactile ethos Razooli established in his earlier work.

Weston Razooli and the Path from Riddle of Fire

For Weston Razooli, Shades of Paradise represents a major step forward following the critical success of his feature directorial debut, Riddle of Fire. That neo-fairy tale action-adventure premiered to enthusiastic audiences at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival within the prestigious Director’s Fortnight section before screening at the Toronto International Film Festival under the Midnight Madness banner.

Razooli’s hands-on approach to filmmaking became legendary during the production of Riddle of Fire, where he not only wrote and directed but also acted, edited, and personally designed the costumes and props. While Shades of Paradise operates on a larger canvas with an extensive ensemble and dedicated crew, it retains the auteur-driven spirit that initially put Razooli on the international map. His transition into a more sprawling, cinematic action odyssey suggests an evolution toward grander narratives without sacrificing his distinct artistic voice.

Dominic Sessa’s Rapidly Expanding Filmography

The casting of Dominic Sessa in Shades of Paradise further solidifies the young actor’s status as one of the most sought-after talents of his generation. Sessa made his feature film debut as Angus Tully in The Holdovers, starring alongside Paul Giamatti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph. His nuanced portrayal of a troubled, intelligent prep school student earned him critical acclaim, a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, and victories for Best Breakthrough Performance at both the 2024 Critics Choice Awards and the Film Independent Spirit Awards.

Since his breakout, Sessa has maintained a relentless production schedule, booking a diverse array of high-profile projects across major studios and independent banners. He currently stars as a young Anthony Bourdain in the A24 feature Tony, directed by Matt Johnson and co-starring Antonio Banderas, Leo Woodall, and Stavros Halkias.

His recent credits also include Stephanie Laing’s feature film Tow, in which he stars opposite Rose Byrne following its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. Last year, Sessa appeared in Lionsgate’s ensemble thriller Now You See: Now You Don’t, sharing the screen with Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, Woody Harrelson, Morgan Freeman, Justice Smith, and Ariana Greenblatt. Over the past winter, he starred in Michael Showalter’s Amazon feature Oh. What. Fun. opposite Michelle Pfeiffer and Chloë Grace Moretz.

Represented by CAA, Untitled Entertainment, and Hansen Jacobson Teller, Sessa has transitioned effortlessly from intimate character dramas to large-scale ensemble pieces and now, high-octane action cinema.

Behind the Scenes: Kaplan Morrison’s Hot Streak

The production backing of Shades of Paradise comes from Kaplan Morrison, the New York-based production company founded by David Kaplan and Andrew Morrison. The company has rapidly built a reputation for supporting bold, director-driven cinema that commands international critical attention and awards consideration.

Kaplan Morrison’s early slate includes Brady Corbet’s Academy Award-nominated epic The Brutalist; Mona Fastvold’s The Testament of Ann Lee, which earned Amanda Seyfried a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress; and Beth de Araujo’s Josephine, which swept the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Awards at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

Furthermore, the company recently wrapped production in Los Angeles on David Robert Mitchell’s highly anticipated thriller They Follow and is actively producing Brady Corbet’s next major feature. The involvement of Kaplan Morrison—with Andrew Morrison serving as producer and David Kaplan executive producing—lends substantial industry weight to Shades of Paradise, signaling confidence in its commercial viability and artistic merit.

Financing and Executive Production Team

The vast network of executive producers and additional producers reflects the international financing structure required for modern, ambitious independent cinema. Additional producers on Shades of Paradise include Mark Lampert, Oleg Nodelman, and Michael D’Alto.

The executive producer roster features a deep bench of industry stakeholders: David Kaplan, Elisa Lleras, Alba Barneda, Marta Cruanas, Claude Amadeo, Randal Sandler, Chris Triana, Heather Nodelman, Michael Barasch, Candy Barasch, Jesse Ozeri, Otto Eckstein, Julia Barasch, Samarth Kulkarni, Anastasiya Siro, Marlowe Griffin Lyddon, Jack Chinery, Brendan Lyddon, Magnus Thomassen, Raju Prasad, and Garrett Cayton. Weston Razooli is represented by Range Media Partners and Granderson Des Rochers.

Broader Implications and Industry Outlook

The completion of production on Shades of Paradise arrives at a time when audiences and distributors are increasingly hungry for original action cinema that avoids formulaic franchise fatigue. By fusing the gritty, character-driven tension of a classic neo-noir heist with the artistic credibility of 35mm celluloid photography, the creative team is positioning the film to appeal both to arthouse festival crowds and mainstream action enthusiasts.

For Dominic Sessa, taking the lead in an international action movie represents a crucial diversification of his burgeoning career, proving his ability to anchor high-stakes genre storytelling alongside established dramatic material. As post-production gets underway, industry watchers will be closely monitoring Shades of Paradise as one of the most intriguing independent crossover projects currently in the pipeline, with festival appearances and distribution announcements expected in the coming months.