'' (
1989 ) is an
Italian Film written and directed by
Giuseppe Tornatore . It was internationally released as '''''Cinema Paradiso''''' in
France ,
Spain , the
United Kingdom and the
U.S. .
It was originally released in Italy at 155 minutes. Due to poor
Box Office performance in its native country, it was 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 '').
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 .
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
Pragmatic ism. 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 Toto develops the passion for films that shapes his life path in adulthood.
