Cinema Paradiso by Giuseppe Tornatore

Cinema Paradiso by Giuseppe Tornatore probably was the longest movie that I have ever watched, which talks about the flashing back of a famous Italian director, Salvatore, the main character in this movie. Salvatore flashes back to his childhood when he gets to know that someone named Alfredo has died.

Salvatore’s childhood time is after World War II when movie is a precious entertainment for the folk villages. People of all ages are obsessed with the cinema and would spend their time watching the film in the theatre. During those times, people don’t have television or high-technology thing, therefore, they cherish the moment when they watch the film and cinema has become a wonder for them.

Salvatore who is a very intelligent kid, loves the projectionist job so much that he always sneak into the projector room and watch how the projectionist, Alfredo operates the film projector. There is one time the projector room catches fire because of the highly flammable film, Salvatore saves Alfredo’s life but since then Alfredo becomes a blind man. Later on, Salvatore takes over the projectionist job and never get bored of what he is doing. As time goes by, Alfredo treats him like his own son, spending his time with him.

When Salvatore turns into a teen, he falls in love with a daughter of a wealthy banker, Elena. Unfortunately, it does not last long because of his military service and he is unable to reach her. And when he returns from military service, Alfredo asks him to go pursue his dreams and never come back, and never contact them.

Eventually, he has become a successful director. He later come back to his hometown to attend Alfredo’s funeral. What surprised me is the ending part of the movie, Alfredo actually hide something from him that Elena did contacted him but he never pass him the messages. However, looking back the town and people who are familiar, he understands Alfredo’s thoughts and Alfredo presents him a film reel which contains all the cutting scenes of kissing.

Life is Beautiful by Roberto Benigni

Life is beautiful which directed, written and acted by Roberto Benigni, is a very interesting comedy movie. It is an Italian movie, thanks to the subtitles, I managed to watch a fantastic movie which titled as “Best Foreign Language Film”. I found out Roberto Benigni has a good sense of humor, he actually acted as a comical and kind Jewish man.

Roberto Benigni acted as Guido Orefice in this movie, who falls in love with the school teacher, Dora. In the beginning of the movie, his humor act already shown which Guido pretends himself to be a member of the National Fascist Party. He explains his funny theories about the racist topic and jumps onto the table, shows his bellybutton to the students. Sooner, he is married with Dora and has a son named Joshua.

However, happiness does not last long. On Joshua’s fifth birthday, Guido and Joshua are taken for the concentration camp because of Jewish. Dora later insists follow them to the camp because she does not want to leave her family behind. I find out the Holocaust to the Jews is very cruel and inhuman. Despite the cruelty and terrible condition, Guido still managed to show his humor to his son, telling him that they are actually playing a game, the grand prize is a tank, which Joshua always wanted to get it. Moreover, he uses many tricks, telling Joshua not to cry or not to seen by others, just to avoid Joshua being executed by the soldiers. Fortunately, Joshua thinks it is a real game. What I feel touch is, whenever Joshua feel like giving up, Guido will tell him funny things and makes Joshua thinks that it is a fun game and it is worth for staying.

Though in the end of the movie, Guido is killed by the soldier. But he managed to make Joshua stay till the end and Joshua thinks that he really won the game and being escorted by the tank, who is American soldiers.

Roberto reversed a bad situation to a whimsical love story. I truly admire his humor and optimism.