Cinema Paradiso is a fantastic movie for anyone who passionately loves film! This movie is about a famous Italian film director named Salvatore Di Vita, who upon receiving word that his childhood mentor, Alfredo passed away begins to reminisce about his up bringing and his love of film.

Salvatore reflects back on the town he left behind for 30 years and through his memories takes us on a journey of boy hood friendships, everlasting love, heart ache and the love of movies.

Alfredo, is an elderly man who works as the projectionist in the village theater. Salvatore always finds a way to pester Alfredo, who has to snip love scenes from the film as the priest gives his seal of approval on films that are to be featured. Salvatore's father was killed in the war and Alfredo served as Salvatore's surrogate father and the two became an unlikely pair. Alfredo believes that Salvatore is special and will not give up on the idea that Salvatore is destined for greatness. 

 Salvatore falls in love with Elena, who comes from a well to do family. Elena's father strongly opposes the relationship and goes to great lengths to separate the two young lovers. Ultimately it is Alfredo who intervenes in a way that changes Salvatore's destiny forever.

It may have taken me 14 years to see this movie but it was well worth the wait! I was intrigued and loved every minute of this movie. The original language of this film is in Italian. If you do not speak Italian be prepared to read subtitles.

~ Veronica Mihalopoulos