Cinema Paradiso returns to cinemas with a new 4K restoration

The ultimate love letter to the big screen is set to return to cinemas during these tumultuous times, as the irresistible and much-loved celebration of ‘youth, friendship, and the everlasting magic of movies,’ presented in a stunning 4k restoration, arrives in selected cinemas from 23rd October courtesy of Arrow Academy.

Salvatore, a successful film director, returns home for the funeral of Alfredo, his old friend who was the projectionist at the local cinema throughout his childhood. Soon memories of his first love affair with the beautiful Elena and all the highs and lows that shaped his life come flooding back, as Salvatore reconnects with the community he left 30 years earlier.

A winner of awards across the world including the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, and 5 BAFTAs, Giuseppe Tornatore’s loving homage to cinema is a miracle of a movie, that The Guardian describes as “a real experience and a classic”.

Touching, funny, moving, and completely involving, the viewer is whisked away on a bittersweet journey reflecting on youth, love, and regret – and the all-consuming fascination of film. Philippe Noiret (Round Midnight) won a BAFTA for his marvellous performance as the projectionist, while Salvatore Cascio is utterly charming as the young boy who is obsessed with the silver screen. The extraordinarily life-affirming finale, featuring the montage of famous cinematic kisses, is one of cinema’s most beguiling and transcendent moments.

You can find UK screening details here.