Director: Giuseppe Tornatore
Starring: Philippe Noiret, Salvatore Cascio
Instant classic. Everything that is great about Italian cinema can be found in Cinema Paradiso. The raw emotions of Southern Italians and the nostalgic look at life growing up in a small town show an honest and true portrayal of the Italy that my parents grew up in. And of course what is a great Italian film if it doesn't have a brilliant child actor in it! Little Toto.
The heart warming life story of Salvatore "Toto" (Salvatore Cascio) and his relationship with cinema projectionist Alfredo (Philippe Noiret). Set in director Giuseppe Tornatore's small home town in Sicily, the film takes us through the up's and down's of Toto and the people that made him who he is.
A film lovers film. The strength of cinema and how it can have a lasting influence long after the credits have scrolled. I watched this with my parents and it brought us closer. They talked of a magical time and place from their youth, and I understood like Alfredo, that you have to go away for a long time before you can come back and find your people. All those long lost kisses were never edited out, not really, but remain with you forever... A truly magical film. Bravo... ROBDIDO