Cinema Paradiso
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| Nuovo cinema Paradiso | |
|---|---|
 original movie poster |
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| Directed by | Giuseppe Tornatore |
| Produced by | Franco Cristaldi Giovanna Romagnoli |
| Written by | Giuseppe Tornatore |
| Starring | Salvatore Cascio Marco Leonardi Philippe Noiret Jacques Perrin |
| Music by | Ennio Morricone |
| Cinematography | Blasco Giurato |
| Editing by | Mario Morra |
| Release date(s) | 1988 |
| Running time | 155 Mins Italy 121 Mins Cut USA 174 Mins Director's Cut |
| Language | Italian |
| IMDb profile | |
Nuovo Cinema Paradiso (1988) is an Italian film written and directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. It was internationally released as Cinema Paradiso in France, Spain, the UK and the US.
It was originally released in Italy at 155 minutes but poor box office performance in its native country led to it being shortened to 123 minutes for international release. It was an instant success. This international version won the Special Jury Prize at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival and the 1989 Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. In 2002, the director's cut 173-minute version was released (known in the U.S. as Cinema Paradiso: The New Version).
It stars Jacques Perrin, Philippe Noiret, Leopoldo Trieste, Marco Leonardi, Agnese Nano and Salvatore Cascio. It was produced by Franco Cristaldi and Giovanna Romagnoli, and the music was by Ennio Morricone along with his son Andrea Morricone.
Told in flashback, it tells the story of the return to his native Sicilian village of a successful film director Salvatore for the funeral of his old friend Alfredo, who was the projectionist at the local "Cinema Paradiso". Ultimately, Alfredo serves as a wise father figure to his young friend who only wishes the best to see him succeed, even if it means breaking his heart in the process.
The film intertwines sentimentality with comedy, and nostalgia with pragmaticism. It explores issues of youth, coming of age, and reflections (in adulthood) about the past. The imagery in each scene can be said to reflect Salvatore's idealised memories about his childhood. Cinema Paradiso is also a celebration of films; as a projectionist, young Totò develops the passion for films that shapes his life path in adulthood.
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[edit] Plot
A famous film director (real-life film producer Perrin) returns home to a Sicilian village for the first time after almost 30 years. He reminisces about his childhood at the Cinema Paradiso where Alfredo, the projectionist and his surrogate father, first facilitated his love of films. He is also reminded of his lost teenage love, Elena, who was forced to leave Salvatore (Totò) because of her father. In the 123-minute release she remains only a lasting memory, but in the 154-minute version she and Totò meet again. Old and grayed they see the life that has passed before them. As their conversation unfolds, Salvatore discovers that Elena married an old friend, but even more importantly, discovers that Alfredo was the reason why their relationship ended, when Alfredo reluctantly manipulated her into leaving him, if only to see Salvatore follow his dreams. They meet each other after Salvatore searches to find Elena and the intensity of their eventual meeting in a car makes it clear that their feelings for each other still remain strong. Totò seems to want to relight their relationship, but Elena tells him that this is impossible.
The film ends with Salvatore inheriting a film reel that Alfredo left for him, made up out of film clips cut from the reels by the projectionist (to appease the censor, the local priest). The clips are romantic scenes from every film Alfredo has projected in the theater, causing tears to come to Salvatore's eyes. Witnessing the film encourages Salvatore to recognise that Alfredo has always has his best interests at heart.
However, there is much more to this film. For instance, within the edited clips mentioned above, and within the film itself, it can be seen how film, and its supposed realistic representation of life, has changed over the course of the twentieth century. Earlier on in the film kisses are edited out (by the priest) but later on it can clearly be seen that films of a mild pornographic nature have been shown at the cinema. Hence, there is an illustration of how the nature of what is seen to be acceptable in a cinematic setting has changed over time (and, to a degree, changes in the influence of religion over the public are charted as well). Also, it is shown how the cinema goer's reactions to censorship may fail to meet the sensibilities of the censoree, as filmgoers within the setting of the film can be seen to actively anticipate and crave to see edited scenes.
[edit] Reception
Cinema Paradiso was a critical and box-office success and is regarded by many as a classic. It is particularly renowned for the famous 'kissing scenes' montage near the end of the film. It won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film in 1990. The film is often credited for reviving Italy's film industry which later produced Mediterraneo and Life is Beautiful.
[edit] Cast
- Antonella Attili - Maria (Young)
- Enzo Cannavale - Spaccafico
- Isa Danieli - Anna
- Leo Gullotta - Usher
- Marco Leonardi - Salvatore (Adolescent)
- Pupella Maggio - Maria (Old)
- Agnese Nano - Elena (Adolescent)
- Leopoldo Trieste - Father Adelfio
- Salvatore Cascio - Salvatore (Child)
- Tano Cimarosa - Blacksmith
- Nicola Di Pinto - Village Idiot
- Roberta Lena - Lia
- Nino Terzo - Peppino's Father
- Jacques Perrin - Salvatore (Adult)
- Philippe Noiret - Alfredo
- Giovanni Giancono - The Mayor
[edit] External links
| Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Pelle the Conqueror |
Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film 1989 |
Succeeded by Journey of Hope |
| Preceded by A World Apart (award then called Grand Prix Special du Jury) |
Grand Prix du Jury, Cannes 1989 tied with Trop belle pour toi |
Succeeded by Tilaï tied with The Sting of Death |
| Preceded by Pelle the Conqueror |
Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film 1990 |
Succeeded by Cyrano de Bergerac |
| Preceded by Life and Nothing But |
BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language 1990 |
Succeeded by The Nasty Girl |
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