Paradise Road is a 1997 film which tells the story of a group of women who are imprisoned in Sumatra during World War II. It is directed by Bruce Beresford and stars Glenn Close as beatific Adrienne Pargiter, Frances McDormand as the brash Dr. Verstak, Pauline Collins as missionary Margaret Drummond, Julianna Margulies as American socialite Topsy Merritt, Jennifer Ehle as British doyenne and model Rosemary Leighton Jones, Cate Blanchett and Elizabeth Spriggs as dowager Imogene Roberts.

The film examines and explores how, in times of adverse danger and suffering, people have the capacity to make it through by means of moral support and strength. The film highlights the atrocities of war. One example of this is the woman doused in petrol, then set alight. The film also effectively explores the control of the Sumatran society and the disregard for the sanctity of Red Cross services.

The story is based on the testimonies of Helen Colijn and Betty Jeffrey written in their books Song of Survival et White Coolies.

The group of women from different countries and social levels are prisoners in a Japanese concentration camp, where one of them, Adrienne, who is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, organizes a vocal band in spite of their guards resistance. Written by Anonymous

When the Japanese over-run Singapore in 1942 many women and children end up in prison camp. Although of different ages, nationalities and backgrounds, a bond grows up as they face the lack of food and medicine and the brutal behaviour of their captors. They even start organizing a voice orchestra using remembered musical scores painstakingly written out again. Written by Jeremy Perkins

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