Directed by:
Giuseppe TornatoreScreenplay:
Giuseppe TornatoreCinematography:
Blasco GiuratoCast:
Philippe Noiret, Enzo Cannavale, Salvatore Cascio, Leo Gullotta, Isa Danieli, Pupella Maggio, Agnese Nano, Tano Cimarosa, Jacques Perrin, Brigitte Fossey (more)VOD (2)
Plots(1)
"Alfredo is dying." Those words jolt the successful filmmaker Salvatore (played as a child by Salvatore Cascio, as a teen by Marco Leonardi, and as an adult by Jacques Perrin), into contemplating his childhood and the hours he spent in the projection booth of his adored local movie theater, Cinema Paradiso. Alfredo (Philippe Noiret), owner of the moviehouse, befriended and encouraged young Salvatore, known as "Toto" as he grew up in his small Sicilian home town, ravaged by the horrors of the war. The cinema offered escape and fantasy to the townspeople, including Toto's mother, a grieving war widow. In one breathtaking scene a popular comedy is projected onto the walls of the town square and the entire town glows in the dreamy light of projected celluloid, washing away the harsh realities of poverty and grief. As Toto grows to manhood, his friendship with his mentor deepens. With the love and guidance of the aging man, Toto navigates the trials of first love and builds on his ever-growing passion for the cinema. Ultimately, it is Alfredo who convinces Toto to leave his village to pursue his dreams of becoming a director. But as Salvatore thinks back on his youthful romances and his innocent love of movies, he comes to realize that perhaps his success has come at a very high price. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Awards
- Winner
- Nominations
Academy Awards
- 1990 - Giuseppe Tornatore (Best Foreign Language Film)
British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)
- 1991 - Philippe Noiret (Best Leading Actor)
- 1991 - Salvatore Cascio (Best Supporting Actor)
- 1991 - Giuseppe Tornatore (Best Original Screenplay)
- 1991 - Andrea Morricone, Ennio Morricone (Best Music)
- 1991 - Best Film not in the English Language
- 1991 - Giuseppe Tornatore (Best Director)
- 1991 - Blasco Giurato (Best Cinematography)
- 1991 - Best Editing
- 1991 - Best Costume Design
- 1991 - Best Make Up/Hair
- 1991 - Best Production Design
European Film Awards
- 1989 - Philippe Noiret (Best Actor)
- 1989 - Giuseppe Tornatore (Special Jury Award)
- 1989 - Giuseppe Tornatore (Best Young Film)
César Awards
- 1990 - Best Poster
- 1990 - Best Foreign Film
Robert Awards (Danish Film Awards)
- 1991 - Giuseppe Tornatore (Best Foreign Film)
Amanda Awards
- 1990 - Giuseppe Tornatore (Best Foreign Language Film)
Golden Globes
- 1990 - Best Motion Picture – Foreign Language
New York Film Critics Circle Awards
- 1990 - Best Foreign Language Film
Cannes Film Festival
- 1989 - Giuseppe Tornatore (Grand Prix Spécial du Jury (1967-1988))
- 1989 - Giuseppe Tornatore (Golden Palm - Official Competition)
Norwegian International Film Festival Haugesund
- 1989 - Giuseppe Tornatore (The Ray of Sunshine)