Nuovo Cinema Paradiso (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 Cinema Paradiso: The New Version).

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 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 Toto develops the passion for films that shapes his life path in adulthood.

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.

Cast overview: (first billed only) Antonella Attili .... Maria (Young) Enzo Cannavale .... Spaccafico Isa Danieli .... Anna Leo Gullotta .... Usher Marco Leonardi .... Salvatore (Adolescent) Pupella Maggio .... Maria (Old) Agnese Nano .... Elena (Adolescent) Leopoldo Trieste .... Father Adelfio Salvatore Cascio .... Salvatore (Child) Tano Cimarosa .... Blacksmith Nicola Di Pinto .... Village Idiot Roberta Lena .... Lia Nino Terzo .... Peppino's Father Jacques Perrin .... Salvatore (Adult) Philippe Noiret .... Alfredo

External links

1989 films | Italian films | Coming-of-age films | Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award winners | Best Foreign Language Film Golden Globe

Cinema Paradiso | Cinema Paradiso | Cinema Paradiso | Nuovo cinema Paradiso | סינמה פארדיסו | ニュー・シネマ・パラダイス | Nuovo Cinema Paradiso | Cinema Paradiso