Cinema Paradiso

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso, is a 1988 Italian film directed by Giuseppe Tornatore, which is set in the golden age of Italian cinema. The movie follows the life Salvatore Di Vita or Toto, an Italian man, who moves to Rome, but has flashbacks of his early life in Gianicolo, Italy, upon his return to the town as his friend and mentor Alfreddo has died. Alfreddo is the man who first taught Toto to operate a projector and is his inspiration to pursue his love of film. He also assumes the role of father figure, as Signor Di Vita has died in world war ii.

The culture of Italy, is immensely present in the film. A critical example is the priest who previews all movies at the Cinema Paradiso theater, and orders Alfreddo to remove all the kissing and sensual scenes in the movies, as he finds them offensive the Catholic religion. Catholicism is the most popular religion of Italy and is undeniably present in their everyday life. Other elements of culture presented in the film include the closeness of families in Italy, and not nearly enough insight into Italian Cuisine, a key part of daily life in Italy.

The movie gives a clear picture of the more complex, relaxed lifestyle of the country life in Italy, as compared to the lifestyle enjoyed by Toto in Rome. This is done in a very indirect way, principally in the scene with Alfreddo, where he orders that Toto never return to Gianicolo, because there is nothing there for him there. The comparison between American and Italian cultures, is unpresent, but anyone who has an understanding of either culture can draw the comparison between the two. The American culture, is much more irreverent, and fast paced, while Italians treasure and value relaxation time. Consequently, I can not particularly relate much to the film, because it draws a sharp contrast to what I have experienced in my life in the US.