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Cinema Paradiso
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Synopsis
Cinema Paradiso offers a nostalgic look at films and the effect they have on a young boy who grows up in and around the title village movie theater in this Italian comedy drama that is based on the life and times of screenwriter/director Giuseppe Tornatore. The story begins in the present as a Sicilian mother pines for her estranged son, Salvatore, who left many years ago and has since become a prominent Roman film director who has taken the advice of his mentor too literally. He finally returns to his home village to attend the funeral of the town's former film projectionist, Alfredo, and, in so doing, embarks upon a journey into his boyhood just after WWII when he became the man's official son. In the dark confines of the Cinema Paradiso, the boy and the other townsfolk try to escape from the grim realities of post-war Italy. The town censor is also there to insure nothing untoward appears onscreen, invariably demanding that all kissing scenes be edited out. One day, Salvatore saves Alfredo's life after a fire, and then becomes the new projectionist. A few years later, Salvatore falls in love with a beautiful girl who breaks his heart after he is inducted into the military. Thirty years later, Salvatore has come to say goodbye to his life-long friend, who has left him a little gift in a film can. In 2002, over a decade after the film's original release, Tornatore brought the original 170-minute director's cut to American screens for the first time. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Cast

Antonella Attili Maria (Young)
Enzo Cannavale Spaccafico
Salvatore Cascio Salvatore (Child)
Isa Danieli Anna
Brigitte Fossey Elena (Adult) [only in the director's cut]
Leo Gullotta Bill Sticker
Roberta Lena Lia
Pupella Maggio Older Maria
Philippe Noiret Alfredo
Nino Terzo Peppino's Father
Leopoldo Trieste Fr. Adelfio
Nicola di Pinto Madman
Jacques Perrin Salvatore (Adult)
Agnese Nano Elena (Adolescent)
Tano Cimarosa Blacksmith
Marco Leonardi Salvatore (Adolescent)

Production Crew

Andrea Crisanti Art Director
Blasco Giurato Cinematographer
Andrea Morricone Composer (Music Score)
Ennio Morricone Composer (Music Score)
Beatrice Bordone Costume Designer
Giuseppe Tornatore Director
Mario Morra Editor
Maurizio Trani Makeup
Franco Cristaldi Producer
Andrea Crisanti Production Designer
Giuseppe Tornatore Screenwriter
Year: 1989
Runtime: 123
Country: France
MPAA Rating: PG
Category: Feature

Genre
Drama

Color type
Eastmancolor

Produced by
Cristaldi Pictures
Films Ariane
Forum Pictures
RAI 3

Release
June 14, 2002 (USA - Limited (Director's Cut Re-release))
by Titanus Produzione

Awards
1989 - Best Foreign Film - New York Film Critics Circle
1989 - Best Foreign Language Film - Academy
1989 - Best Foreign-Language Film - Golden Globe
1989 - Special Jury Grand Prix - Cannes International Film Festival
1989 - Special Jury Grand Prix - Cannes Film Festival
1989 - Best Foreign Language Film - Academy
1989 - Best Foreign Language Film - Golden Globe
1989 - Best Foreign Language Film - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie
1989 - Special Jury Grand Prix - Cannes Film Festival
1989 - Film Presented - Telluride Film Festival
1989 - Best Foreign Language Film - Hollywood Foreign Press Association
1990 - Best Foreign-Language Film - British Academy Awards
1990 - Best Foreign Language Film - British Academy of Film and Television