THEME: Italian
Prosecco, Tagliata
and Tiramisu
cinema paradiso
Friday AUGUST 18th
In Italian with English Subtitles
In the quarter-century since it was first released, this elegy to the thrill of film going has become a cliché in everyone’s head. Then you re-watch Cinema Paradiso and it wins you back.
It’s not just the film’s sincere craft and imaginative touches – such as the wall-mounted lion’s head which comes scarily to life when young Totò turns to look at the light beamed from its maw, or the affectionately drawn central relationship and the hormonal energy of Marco Leonardi putting a real spring in teenage Totò’s romantic travails. It’s a more intelligently written film than you may remember, set tone astonishing score by the exceptional Ennio Morricone - the music is a thrill in itself.
“Don’t look back. Don’t write. Don’t give in to nostalgia,” Alfredo tells his young friend, when he’s sending him off to start a new life. It’s rare for a film so bathed in the stuff to acknowledge the downside of nostalgia as well.
Tornatore may have hit a sticky wicket with his subsequent work, but he knew what he was doing here and delivered one of the best films ever made.
The casting in the film is wonderful, Philippe Noiret, especially, an immense legend of european cinema - do look up Ripoux (Le Cop) to see his range and comedic fun.
CAST: Philippe Noiret, Salvatore Cascio, Agnese Nana, Jacques Perrin
DIRECTOR: Guiseppe Tornatore
Programme:
6:00pm Event opens with welcoming glass of sparkling wine in the courtyard
7:45pm Dinner served
8:15pm Film starts
9:15pm Interval
11:30 Bar closes
Exact end times may vary slightly