Cinema
Cinema Paradiso
Nuovo Cinema Paradiso
Giuseppe Tornatore · 1988
Synopsis
Rome, in the 1980s. Salvatore Di Vita, an acclaimed filmmaker, learns by telephone of the death of Alfredo, the projectionist in his native village in Sicily, and memories come back. In the postwar years, in Giancaldo, little Salvatore, known as Totò, spends his time at the Cinema Paradiso, the parish cinema, and becomes friends with Alfredo, who introduces him to the projection booth and keeps the kisses that the priest has cut.
Context
The film was shot in Sicily, at Bagheria, at Cefalù and at Palazzo Adriano, whose square stands in for that of the village. Philippe Noiret plays Alfredo, Salvatore Cascio the child and Jacques Perrin the adult filmmaker; the music is by Ennio and Andrea Morricone. The first, longer version met with a lukewarm reception in Italy; a shortened version, presented at Cannes, made its success. A long version was reissued later.
Who it is for
A film of about two hours in its usual version, nostalgic and warm, which is also a tribute to cinemas.
Prizes and reception
Grand Prix of the Jury at Cannes in 1989, ex aequo; Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1990.