Heaven (2002)

Starring Cate Blanchett and Giovanni Ribisi, Heaven (2002) is a romantic thriller film directed by Tom Tykwer. Co-screenwriter Krzysztof Kieślowski intended it to be the first part of a trilogy, but unfortunately passed away before its completion. This Italian-set film begins with a prologue showing Filippo, a young Carabinieri clerk, learning to fly a helicopter using a simulator. After crashing due to his overly ambitious ascents, his instructor warns him against excessive altitude. Meanwhile, Philippa is plotting to blow up the office of a high-ranking businessman in downtown Turin. While her plan appears to go smoothly, an unforeseen factor – the emptying of the garbage bin she placed the bomb in – causes it to explode in an elevator later on, killing four people.

Philippa is found by the Carabinieri, apprehended, and taken to Filippo’s station. During questioning, she discloses that she teaches English at a nearby school where multiple students have died from drug-related incidents. After learning they were all supplied by a local cartel, Philippa reported their identities to the Carabinieri in hopes of intervention, but her pleas were continuously ignored. Frustrated and desperate, she took matters into her own hands and targeted the leader of the cartel, who happened to be a prominent businessman. As Filippo translates her admission for his superiors, he becomes enamored with Philippa and aids in her escape from custody.