A visual tour of the pastel-hued holiday destination of Gran Canaria, a haven for millions of tourists - and for people fleeing more than just rain and cold. The paradoxes of tourism meet the harsh realities of those who live in paradise all year long.

The sun shines year-round in Gran Canaria. That is why four million tourists arrive every year, transforming the popular island in the Atlantic Ocean into a candy-coloured paradise. But not everyone is on holiday. Some live and work amidst the hustle and bustle of colourful drinks and inflatable beach toys, and these are the people filmmaker Mette Carla Albrechtsen has sought out. What is it really like to have a permanent address in a holiday paradise? We meet people fleeing war, cold, violent partners and, not least, themselves. One thing is certain: you shouldn’t get too attached to anyone in Gran Canaria, because most people are just passing through. Through stylish visual imagery, we witness life’s twists and turns between sandcastles, parties and overcrowded swimming pools, while escapism and creeping melancholy slowly reveal themselves behind the festive surface.