Cinema Paradiso

In contrast, Giuseppe Tornatore’s Cinema Paradiso illustrates cinema as a modern social force. From the beginning of the film until the 7.00 minute mark, we see a clay pot on a ledge. Beyond it is the blue sea, the Mediterranean. Camera backs slowly as credits reveals a doorway, a bowl of lemons on a table. Then we hear an older woman's voice on the telephone. "Yes, Salvatore de Vita." The older woman moves into the frame. She identifies herself as his mother. She gains no information. Shot changes to show a middle aged woman across from the old woman. After the call, the younger woman (who is Salvatore's sister) tries to console the old woman: she notes that Salvatore has not been home in 30 years. He won't remember. But the old woman insists: "He will remember." She makes …show more content…
In the bedroom a young woman is sleeping. She wakes up and he apologizes for being late. He goes to bed. The woman says his mother called. "She thought I was someone else. But I played along. I didn't want to disappoint her. Camera focuses on Salvatore on opposite side of bed as the woman summarizes the phone conversation. The woman says, "She said someone by the name of Alfredo died. The funeral is tomorrow." We hear thunder in the background. A storm is brewing. The camera lingers on Salvatore as he reacts to the news. He turns over, and he stares into space as if revisiting the past. Camera in. Lightning flashes on his face, and the chimes outside, driven by the wind, ring out. This scene is significant because it is symbolic. It symbolizes how cinema affects individuals. Because this scene is a flash back, once the audience learns about the story of Salvatore, it is clear that this rapid mechanized world indeed impacts individuals. Salvatore seems to be disappointed because he left his home town because he was not able to be with the love of his life. It is important to note that romance is overrated in films causing people to lustful in ways beyond