Cinema Paradiso (1988)

1)   Relate what was discussed in class of the test to the screening:  

Young Salvatore Di Vita aka Toto escapes life and his war-torn village in Sicilia through cinema especially Cinema Paradiso movie house. Cinema Paradiso (1988) takes place in Italy and follows the life of a boy and his love for cinema. This can essentially be called a coming of age movie without the usual tropes of coming of age movies.  Giuseppe Tornatore works well with casting and storytelling without the use of flashback even in moments that the audience did not see, we still know what happened in that moment and get an idea of how Toto grew up and where he is now.

2)   Find a related article to the film screened in class:

References

LAW, S. (2003). FILM, MEMORY AND NOSTALGIA IN CINEMA PARADISO (NUOVO CINEMA PARADISO). Australian Screen Education, (33), 111-116.

3)   Apply the article to the film screened in class:

Using flashback scenes invites the audience not only see the film as an autobiographical trace of a man’s life, but as the history of historical landmarks in Italy. An Australian Screen Education analysis says that in Cinema Paradiso, with its narrative function not only is a reflection of the reality of the village life; rather is more self-conscious, drawing attention to the artifice of the film. Cinema is integral to this boy’s memory and the memory of all the characters as shown in the final scenes leading up to the credits. Seeing the theatre get demolished is an emotional scene for some to watch. Ironically the boys playing in the rubble of the theatre can show how this town and the world in general is evolving and moving past these seemingly outdated ways of entertainment.

4)   Write a critical analysis of the film:

I liked this movie and enjoyed the themes presented, the most important ones being memory, history and nostalgia. The over fascination with the theater being preserved till they could no longer preserve it, the village people actually seen aging brings tears to Toto’s eyes and the final scene of sitting in a theatre and watching kissing scenes, wishing he were watching it with these townspeople back in the day, never forgetting the past and holding on to it for the future. This movie was cute and well done. I enjoyed the camera work and the story being told it really gave a feel that the actors, directors and people on set took their time and also had fun. I would not be surprised if most of the lines were improved. It felt so natural and well done. This comedy drama was actually based on the life of the director Giuseppe Tornatore which was kind of interesting to know seeing as though it flopped on the initial release in its country but found its way to Cannes and won an academy award for best foreign film in 1989. A humble beginning for a humbler character beginning. Opening up with a calm setting that was actually riddled with war and division, this light hearted dreamy movie romanticizes the simple things in life and the pleasures of life through the colorful eccentric characters and townspeople in this part of Italy. The film not only reflects on the time in which it is being taking place but it shows humans and their open hearts to the enjoyment of life for now and what it has to offer through this theatre. Give them a great show and do not mess up.

           

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM 

1) ( X ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

2) (  X) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.

3) (X  ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4) ( X ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5) (X  ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.

6) ( X ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.

7) ( X ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

8) (X  ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name: Nnenne O_  Date: Feb 10 2018