Benny Parrish, a young boy with bipolar disorder, navigates life in Bombay Beach, California, a community by the Salton Sea. The film intertwines his story with those of CeeJay, an aspiring football player seeking refuge from violence, and Red, an aging survivor of the oil fields. Directed by Alma Har'el, the 2011 documentary blends observational footage with choreographed dance and music by Zach Condon. It presents a vivid portrait of life in a forgotten area marked by lost dreams and enduring hope.

What Critics Say

An eerily compelling documentary about lost souls in a lost place.

Peter BradshawRead full article

February 2, 2012

Deep Dive

Why Watch

Meet Benny, a boy with bipolar disorder and a vivid imagination.
Follow CeeJay, a teenager escaping gang violence in Los Angeles.
Discover Red, an elderly survivor with a love for life.

Did You Know

Bombay Beach won 'Best Feature Documentary' at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival.
The film was nominated for an Independent Spirit 'Truer than Fiction' Award in 2011.
Alma Har'el's film has been taught at universities like Duke and Harvard.
The film features music composed by Zach Condon from the band Beirut.

Perfect For

Documentary enthusiastsFans of experimental filmStudents of film studies

Read full Deep Dive →

Frequently Asked Questions

Who directed the documentary Bombay Beach?

Bombay Beach was directed and produced by Israeli filmmaker Alma Har'el.

What awards did Bombay Beach win?

Bombay Beach won the Best Feature Documentary at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival and the Best Editing at the Woodstock Film Festival in 2011.

What are the main characters in Bombay Beach?

The main characters include Benny Parrish, a young boy with bipolar disorder; CeeJay, a black teenager and aspiring football player; and Red, an ancient survivor and former oil field worker.

Awards & Festivals

View all →

Woodstock Film Festival

2011 • Award

Cinema Eye Honors

2012 • Official selection

Edinburgh International Film Festival

2011 • Official selection

Tribeca Film Festival

2011 • Official selection

Awards & Festivals

Comments

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