CINEMA PARADISO: DIRECTOR'S CUT

Year: 1988 (2002)
USA: Miramax Films
Cast: Philippe Noiret, Jacques Perrin, Salvatore Cascio, Marco Leonardi, Agnese Nano, Antonella Attili, Isa Danieli, Pupella Maggio, Leopoldo Trieste, Enzo Cannavale, Leo Gullotta, Tano Cimarosa, Nicola Di Pinto, Roberta Lena,, Nino Terzo, Brigitte Fossey (Director's Cut only), Nellina Lagana, Turi Giuffrida, Mariella Lo Giudice, Giorgio Libassi Beatrice Palme, Ignazio Pappalardo, Angela Leontini, Mimmo Mignemi, Margherita Mignemi, Giuseppe Pellegrino, Turi Killer, Angelo Tosto, Concetta Borpagano, Franco Catalano
Director: Giuseppe Tornatore
Countries: Italy / France
Language: English / Italian
USA: 170 mins (Director's cut)
USA Rated: R for some sexuality (Director's Cut) - originally rated PG
USA Release Date: 14 June 2002 (Limited Release)

Synopsis

Director Giuseppe Tornatore's movie presents the story of Toto, a small boy in rural Italy, who discovers a passion for film and develops a deep emotional bond with Alfredo, the grumpy projectionist at the local cinema. The film also stars Philippe Noiret as Alfredo and the wonderful Salvatore Cascio as the young Toto.

On its original release CINEMA PARADISO was awarded the 1990 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. The Special Jury Prize at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival and the Best Foreign Language Film at the 1989 Golden Globe Awards.

CINEMA PARADISO traces the relationship between the fatherless Salvatore - nicknamed Toto - and Alfredo, the projectionist at the Paradiso - the local cinema and very much the centre of activity in the Sicilian village. Toto adores the gruff, lovable Alfredo and makes him and the cinema the centre of his world. He regularly sneaks in to capture Alfredo at work and titter at the village priest's weekly 'censorship' previews, where every screen embrace, kiss and lustful look is scrutinised and savagely cut.

The passage of time is marked by changes to the village, more explicit censorship sessions, Toto's first love and the growing relationship between Toto and his mentor. Tragedy strikes the tranquil village several times, and much later the death of Alfredo bring Toto, now a famous director, back to his home for the first time in years.