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Cinema Paradiso (1988)

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso (original title)
R | | Drama | 23 February 1990 (USA)
Cinema Paradiso Poster
Trailer
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A filmmaker recalls his childhood when falling in love with the pictures at the cinema of his home village and forms a deep friendship with the cinema's projectionist.

Director:

Giuseppe Tornatore

Writers:

Giuseppe Tornatore (story), Giuseppe Tornatore (screenplay) | 2 more credits »

Stars:

Philippe Noiret, Enzo Cannavale, Antonella Attili | See full cast & crew »
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Popularity
2,425 ( 100)
Top Rated Movies #54 | Won 1 Oscar. Another 24 wins & 31 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Antonella Attili ... Maria Di Vita - Younger
Enzo Cannavale Enzo Cannavale ... Spaccafico
Isa Danieli Isa Danieli ... Anna
Leo Gullotta ... Usher
Marco Leonardi ... Salvatore 'Totò' Di Vita - Teenager
Pupella Maggio Pupella Maggio ... Maria Di Vita - Older
Agnese Nano ... Elena Mendola
Leopoldo Trieste ... Father Adelfio
Salvatore Cascio ... Salvatore 'Totò' Di Vita - Child
Tano Cimarosa ... Blacksmith
Nicola Di Pinto ... Village Idiot
Roberta Lena Roberta Lena ... Lia
Nino Terzo ... Peppino's Father
Jacques Perrin ... Salvatore 'Totò' Di Vita - Adult
Philippe Noiret ... Alfredo
See full cast »
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Storyline

A boy who grew up in a native Sicilian Village returns home as a famous director after receiving news about the death of an old friend. Told in a flashback, Salvatore reminiscences about his childhood and his relationship with Alfredo, a projectionist at Cinema Paradiso. Under the fatherly influence of Alfredo, Salvatore fell in love with film making, with the duo spending many hours discussing about films and Alfredo painstakingly teaching Salvatore the skills that became a stepping stone for the young boy into the world of film making. The film brings the audience through the changes in cinema and the dying trade of traditional film making, editing and screening. It also explores a young boy's dream of leaving his little town to foray into the world outside. Written by Clarisse P.

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

cinema | flashback | film projectionist | coming of age | movie theatre | See All (169) »

Taglines:

A celebration of youth, friendship, and the everlasting magic of the movies.

Genres:

Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Official Sites:

Asmik Ace [Japan] | Official Facebook | See more »

Country:

Italy | France

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

23 February 1990 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Cinema Paradiso: The New Version See more »

Filming Locations:

Bagheria, Palermo, Sicily, Italy See more »
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Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$25,899, 14 June 2002, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$11,990,401
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cristaldifilm, Les Films Ariane, Rai 3 See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (director's cut) | (international)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

A sample of the line "Ora che ho perso la vista, ci vedo di più" in original language (in English it is "Now that I lost vision, I can see more") can be heard in the song "Take The Time" by Dream Theater. See more »

Goofs

When Toto is marking the December 1954 calendar in order to check out the day until December 31 to see if Elena Mendola accepts him as a boyfriend,the actor who plays young Toto [Marco Leonardi] is clearly left handed, but when he checks out the days left on the calendar, we see that a right-handed guy [obviously not Marco Leonardi] writes down on it. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Maria Di Vita - Older: [in Italian]
[on the phone]
Maria Di Vita - Older: Yes, Salvatore di Vita. You mean you don't know him, Miss? That's right, and I'm his mother. I've been calling from Sicily, all day long. I understand, he's not there.
See more »

Alternate Versions

Originally released in Italy at 155 minutes; after a very poor box office performance, the film was pulled out of circulation and shortened to 124 minutes. After it won the Special Jury Prize at the 1989 Cannes festival and the Best Foreign Film Oscar, it was re-released in Italy on video first in its initial 155 minutes cut and then in a special 170-minutes director's cut. See more »

Connections

References City Lights (1931) See more »

Soundtracks

Dopo il Crollo - After the Destruction (Extended Version)
Written by Ennio Morricone
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is 'Cinema Paradiso' based on a book?
Q: What is it that Toto's mother should never tell Toto?
Q: Why didn't Elena show up to meet Toto at the Paradiso at 5 PM?
See more »

User Reviews

For Those With a Heart
4 October 1999 | by Boyo-2 – See all my reviews

This movie is very sentimental, so if you are proud of your cynical side, stay away.

If you are scared of foreign movies and start foaming at the mouth at a subtitle, stay away.

For the rest of us, this is a masterpiece! Enjoy the movie and enjoy yourself! The end is so beautiful that it is almost unbelievable.
128 of 180 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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