As part of Italian Heritage Month in Vancouver and in celebration of Italian Day on the Drive (Sunday, June 10), the Rio Theatre is highlighting select Italian titles in June - including a screening of our annual tradition of the nostalgic and wistful (not to mention beloved!) Oscar-winner CINEMA PARADISO on Tuesday, June 19.

Young Salvatore Di Vita (Salvatore Cascio) discovers the perfect escape from life in his war-torn Sicilian village: the CINEMA PARADISO movie house, where projectionist Alfredo (Philippe Noiret) instills in the boy a deep love of films. When Salvatore grows up, falls in love with a beautiful local girl (Agnese Nano) and takes over as the Paradiso's projectionist, Alfredo must convince Salvatore to leave his small town and pursue his passion for filmmaking.

Thanks to our friends at Italian Day on the Drive, Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver, the Vancouver Italian Film Festival, and the Italian Contemporary Film Festival for their ongoing support of this screening, and all the films selected for our annual Italian film series.This screening is also sponsored by The Vancouver Art House Society and the Hollywood Arts Foundation to help #savetherio! What better film to help save a local indie theatre!

"Still rapturous after all these years, CINEMA PARADISO stands as one of the great films about movie love." (The Washington Post)

"One of the most delightful and affecting of all movie endings." (The Daily Mail)

Tuesday, June 19
Doors 5:45 pm | Movie 6:15 pm
Tickets $10 advance | $12 at the door

*All ages welcome balcony! Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service and main floor seating.
**Rio Theatre Groupons and passes OK! Please redeem at the door.

CINEMA PARADISO “Nuovo Cinema Paradiso” (Giuseppe Tornatore, 1988 / 155 mins / Italian with English subs) | With sweeping cinematography, gorgeous performances, and a heart-tugging nostalgic storyline about childhood and coming-of-age, CINEMA PARADISO remains one of Italy’s most beloved cinematic exports. Loosely based on writer/director Giuseppe Tornatore’s own life, the story follows a prominent filmmaker recalling the days of his magical boyhood, when he fell in love with movies and formed a deep friendship with the projectionist at his village’s theatre.