Cinema Paradiso

In Italian with English subtitles

This much loved classic of world cinema is a celebration of the joy and community found in going to the pictures … and we couldn’t resist bringing it to you to mark Screen Machine’s return.

Set in a small town in Sicily, it tells the story of Salvatore (Toto), the smart and mischievous son of a war widow. In need of a father figure, Toto is taken under the wing of Alfredo, the elderly projectionist at the local cinema. Alfredo imparts his knowledge and love for the magic of film to Toto, who by his teens is combining high school with working as Cinema Paradiso’s projectionist, albeit under the control of the local priest who insists that all scenes of on-screen smooching are cut out.

As Toto starts to experiment with filmmaking, he is told by Alfredo to leave Sicily, find his dreams and never look back or return to the island. Years later, Salvatore is a successful film director living in Rome when he receives word that Alfredo has died. Salvatore’s memories are stirred and he must decide if he will return to his childhood home to attend the funeral.

With a soundtrack by Ennio Morricone, Cinema Paradiso won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, the Grand Prix at Cannes and multiple BAFTAs.

If you’ve already seen Cinema Paradiso, then come back to enjoy the slice of delight that it is. If it’s new to you, bring a tissue and prepare for 123 minutes of perfection at the pictures. Bellissimo.

‘A real experience and a classic’ The Guardian ****

‘both an unashamedly sentimental rite-of-passage picture and a charming reminder of the lost magic of cinema-going.’ Radio Times

‘Recent changes to cinema which have seen the projectionist’s art sidelined in the digital age add a further layer of poignancy to the magical memories.’ Mark Kermode, Observer

12A: moderate sex references, nudity, threat, injury detail