My favorite film from our Italian film Studies class is directed by Tornatore. It contains various interconnected themes and images. One of the notable themes is the re-established importance of the bell. Whenever a character is upset or angry, a bell rings in the movie. For example, the "father" character uses his bell to show disapproval whenever he watches films that depict scenes he dislikes.
The theme is further emphasized in Toto's character. When he learns of Alfredo's death, he reminisces about their past while bells chime in the background. A similar instance occurs when Alfredo goes to Elena's house looking for her as a bell rings in the background while he pleads with her parents to let him in.
After reaching a point of despair, Toto contemplates his future while sitting by the water, until
...he hears bells ringing. He is then seen preparing to leave his town from the train station, in accordance with Alfredo's advice to never return. The Cinema Paradiso was run by Alfredo, who had served the station diligently for several years with his experienced eyes.
During Alfredo's tenure at the movie theater, there were no depictions of sexual content. However, Toto was particularly drawn to those scenes. Unfortunately, Alfredo lost his vision when the theater burned down and was replaced with a new cinema that featured all manner of sexual content, albeit mostly limited to kissing. Despite the serious turn of events, there was a comical moment when Toto stood on the pier and wished it was summer so that he could see Elena. He also expressed his desire to be in a film, imagining a scenario where he and Elen
would weather a storm that would transition seamlessly into the next scene.
The movie features a recurring image of an anchor and a storm. During a scene on the pier, Toto is reading a letter from Elena and feeling upset about their responsibilities keeping them apart. Just then, a lone anchor can be seen leaning against a post. Suddenly, Elena appears, and they kiss in the rain, mirroring a similar scene earlier in the movie.
Toto is compared to an anchor as he is restricted and unable to pursue his desires. The scene where Toto walks with Alfredo on the beach is a personal favorite due to its picturesque setting. During this moment, Toto expresses his dissatisfaction with life and how things seem to constantly go awry. Alfredo advises Toto to depart from the town, insisting it holds no value for him. Scattered along the beach are several solitary anchors and numerous anchors interlocked with each other.
The scene was appreciated for its representation of the protagonist's responsibilities through the singular anchors and his confusion and inability to release certain thoughts through the disorganized ones.
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