Paradise Bent serves as one of the first explorations of the Samoan fa'afafines—boys who are raised as girls, fulfilling a traditional role in Samoan culture. It illustrates the commonplace nature of this arrangement; each large Samoan family typically includes at least one fa'afafine, who serves as a highly valued member of the culture. These fa’afafines cheerfully share the women's traditional work of cooking, cleaning, and caring for children and elderly.

Dance has always been an important part of Samoan culture. From an early age, the fa'afafines dance the female role, and many continue on to dance as entertainers in nightclubs. The film introduces Cindy, a popular dancer who has fallen in love with a representative of the Australian High Commission. After the commissioner lands in trouble for living with Cindy in his compound, he is transferred to Australia, but gives up his job and returns to be with Cindy.

Along with firsthand cultural footage, the film includes interviews with anthropologists including Derek Freeman and Tom Pollard, and raises compelling questions about culture, gender, and the complexities of sexual identity.

"An exhilarating investigation into the interconnection and clashing of societies, mores and social rules."
‒The Boston Phoenix

Boston Gay & Lesbian Festival 2001
Lesbian and Gay Film Festivals, 2000: New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Honolulu Society for Visual Anthropology Film and Video Festival, 2000
Margaret Mead Film Festival, 1999
Banff Television Festival, 2000
Silver Plaque, Chicago International Television Awards, 2000
New York Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, 2000