Nuovo Cinema Paradiso is Giuseppe Tornatore's fun-loving, nostalgic tribute to cinema. The story begins in a small town in Italy where Toto, a young, mischievous boy, is growing up. Toto loves the theater, and at this time, the theater was the hub of the town. After his father's death, Toto's mother was forced to raise him and his sister on her own. Thus, Toto was able to have some liberty concerning where he went and what he did. Most of Toto's time was spent in the projection booth with the old operator, Alfredo. Alfredo taught Toto about film and projection, helping Toto keep his dream of someday making movies alive.

Toto eventually grows into a young man named Salvatore. He falls in love with Elena, but her parents refuse to allow their relationship. One fateful day the couple is supposed to meet but Elena never shows up. Salvatore...