Language: Italian Year: 1998
Cinema paradiso is rightly considered a classic. A film that is essentially about a friendship and the wonder of cinema.
Written and directed by Italian Giuseppe Tornatore and loosely based on his personal life, we learn how young Salvatore replaces his absent father with loner projectionist Alfredo. We see their friendship develop through a shared love for the art of cinema projection as the local town tries to rebuild intself at the end of World War 2. The cinema in which we spend a lot of this movie is not only special to the two of them, but a release and an escape for the entire village as the opressions and fall out from the war are realised.
This film also feels incredibly relavent - a great metaphor for the current decline of traditional motion picture cinema and the advent of Digital and 3D viewing.
Rightfully awarded 'Best foreign language film' and a whole heap of BAFTA's, this film is accessible, moving and down right essential.
