Cinema Paradiso

Take Home Questions:

Cinema Paradiso

1. At the point of the films conclusion, one can really see how this one instrumental good can change the lives for Salvatore, Alfredo and for the entire community of Giancaldo.

The fact that Salvatore had such respect for Alfredo really made it emotional at the end of the movie. Ever since Salvatore left his home to pursue his dream, it was clear that there was still something missing in his life. His attachment to Giancaldo never left his mind. One was able to see this by how he sent his family money every month since he was gone. Even though he didn’t call, or visit, it was his only way to show that they were still in his mind. Being away from his home, and being as successful as he is now he forgot how it was to be in love. His detachment from his home was critical; I feel that being away from Giancaldo for so long, only made him realize his love and passion towards his family and the sense of community.

Alfredo had a big impact on Salvador’s life. I felt that, throughout the years Alfredo had seen the passion that Salvatore had for film, and because of they close friendship, Alfredo wanted to see him succeed. Making Salvatore promise not to come back and visit, didn’t make much sense to me, I can see that Alfredo wanted him to pursue his dream, but at the same time he made him disconnect from the life that he was living. At the end of the film I really appreciated the relationship that Alfredo and Salvatore had with each other. Alfredo saw this young troubled boy with such curiosity, and it was Alfredo who chose to teach him, and be the father he never had. Being such an important figure in Salvatore’s life, he had the right to worry about him not turning out to be alone and unsuccessful like Alfredo.

Cinema Paradiso was a pinnacle part for all the lives of the people who lived in Giancaldo. Not only was the theatre a great source of entertainment, but it was a place of togetherness. Even though it was a small community, I feel that the cinema was responsible for the town to be so close to eachother. At the end of the film I felt that the closing of the theatre really changed things in the town for the worse. There was no longer that sense of togetherness. Earlier on in the film, when the theatre was open, one was able to see how close the community was. At the end, the whole community was changed, the same people were there, but it was clear that something was missing in their lives.

The medium of cinema in general is not just a form of entertainment, it is a form of art. A good example of this was at the end of the movie where Toto watches the film that Aflredo made him. Even though it was a montage of kissing scenes, Salvatore saw more than that. Film is an art, there is a certain emotion and pleasure one gets from a film, similar in looking at a beautiful painting.

Word Count: 531

5. The film starts by showing a middle-aged man, Salvatore, surrounded by society's symbols of success: bright city lights, a Mercedes Benz, a luxurious mansion, and a beautiful woman in the background. These symbols gave the impression that life was good,

The Cinema Paradiso is the center of the town when Salvatore is a child. Nothing in town is more important than the theater. People go there to visit and enjoy each other's company. In some cases