Originally released in 1987, Diane Keaton’s directorial debut Heaven, newly restored in HD will be re-released in theaters. Following the actress’ passing on October 11, the revival is a tribute to her career.
Keaton, known for her iconic performances in Annie Hall, The Godfather, and Something’s Gotta Give, turned her lens toward life’s biggest question, what comes after life? The result was a strikingly avant-garde documentary that blends interviews, found footage, and surreal imagery to explore how different people imagine the afterlife.
Unlike traditional documentaries, Heaven moves like a dream sequence, eerie, humorous, and oddly comforting. Keaton interviews everyday people and religious figures alike, intercutting their answers with vintage film clips, celestial montages, and even “heaven offices” filmed with an absurdist touch. She asks them questions about the afterlife.
Heaven opens in theaters and via virtual cinema beginning November 14, 2025.
Heaven is a free-wheeling and off-beat pastiche of interviews, clips from films such as Metropolis, Green Pastures and Stairway to Heaven and songs that explore different ideas of what paradise may have to offer.
With a varied group of interviewees, a collection of fundamentalists, visionaries and people-next-door featuring, among others, her parents and sister, boxing promoter Don King, Victoria Sellers and Swami Prem Amitabh, she queries “What kind of rewards do you think heaven holds?”, “What does God look like?” and “Is there sex in heaven?”.
Also interviewed in the documentary are Michael Agabian, James Allport, Lazaro Arvizu, Stephen Agustine, Tracy Bauer, Nancy Block, Robert Boettger, Peter Fraser, Lawrence Goldblum, Ruchard Gordon, Dorothy Hall, Dorrie Hall, Mary Hall, Mark Hornbacher, Grace Johansen, Lucas Johnson-Yahraus, Bernard Kyle, Tim Kelly, Jack Kimbrough, Charla Sampsel, and Corey Young
The upcoming HD restoration marks the first time Heaven will be available in such clarity since its original release.
“I’m absolutely thrilled that we’ve been able to remaster Diane’s wonderful documentary so that film lovers everywhere can finally see Heaven as she intended,” says executive producer Arnie Holland. “It’s such a unique and personal vision — funny, curious, and full of heart — and I like to think Diane is looking down, smiling, knowing that audiences are discovering and enjoying it all over again.”
In a 2021 Golden Globes interview, Keaton asks, “Why would there be such a place as hell, for any of us? I just don’t believe that.”
Watch the trailer for Heaven above.
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