Nuovo Cinema Paradiso aka Cinema Paradiso (Italy , 1988)

9:41 PM  , ,  

Ratings - IMDB - 8.5 | Metacritic - 79
Release Year - 1988
Country - Italy
Genres - Drama

A celebration of youth, friendship, and the magic of the movies
Critical and box-office success | Regarded by many as a classic
Credited for reviving Italy's film industry

Synopsis: A filmmaker recalls his childhood, when he fell in love with the movies at his village's theater and formed a deep friendship with the theater's projectionist.  

A famous film director 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, first brought about his love of films. He is also reminded of his lost teenage love, Elena, who he had to leave before he left for Rome.

Seen as an example of "nostalgic postmodernism", 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 Salvatore (a.k.a Totò) develops the passion for films that shapes his life path in adulthood.

Awards
  • Won Oscar- Best foreign language film
  • Cannes Film Festival - Grand Prix du Jury
  • Golden Globe - Best Foreign Language Film
  • BAFTA Awards - Best Film (Not in the English Language) , Best Actor, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Original Screenplay , Best Film Music
Lists
  • Ranked #27 in Empire magazines "The 100 Best Films Of World Cinema" in 2010
  • IMDB Top 250 #74
Special mention
  • Rotten Tomatoes has a 87% rating among the "Top Critics"
  • Rated by more than 63k users on IMDb