"Without any understanding of man's deep-seated urge to self-transcend, of his very reluctance to take the hard, ascending way, and his search for some bogus liberation either below or to one side of his personality, we cannot hope to make sense of our own particular period of history or indeed of history in general, of life as it was lived in the past and as it is lived today. For this reason I propose to discuss some of the more common Grace-substitutes, into which and by means of which men and women have tried to escape from the tormenting consciousness of being merely themselves. .... human beings have felt the radical inadequacy of their personal existence, the misery of being their insulated selves and not something else, something wider, something in Wordsworthian phrase, 'far more deeply interfused'." (Aldous
Huxley, "Appendix" from The Devils of Loudun, Penguin Books, 1971, 313f.)

You are here: Home Courses Film Lectio II - Cinema Paradiso

Film Lectio II - Cinema Paradiso

JCinema Paradiso
 Starts Tuesday 31 August
Cinema Paradiso is told largely in the flashback of a successful film director Salvatore to his childhood years.  It also tells the story of the return to his native Sicilian village for the funeral of his old friend Alfredo, the projectionist at the local "Cinema Paradiso". Ultimately, Alfredo serves as a wise father figure to his young friend who only wishes to see him succeed, even if it means breaking his heart in the process.

Intertwining sentimentality with comedy, and nostalgia with pragmatism the film explores issues of youth, coming of age, and reflections (in adulthood) about the past – touching into our own reminiscences!

Cinema Paradiso is also a celebration of films. As a projectionist, young Salvatore (a.k.a. Totò) develops a passion for films that shapes his life path in adulthood. It won 14 major film awards between 1989 and1991 and was re-released in 2006; 2009, 2012 and 2020.

Presenter: Marie Biddle RSJ, MA, MTh
Where: Aquinas Academy, Level 5, 141 Harrington St, Sydney
When: Three Tuesday mornings, 10am – 12noon, 31 August and 7, 14 September 2021
Cost: $40 per person

See bottom of this page for Booking information.

Nobody will be turned away simply because they cannot afford to pay. Offer a donation if you cannot pay the full registration fee.

For further information please telephone 02 9247 4651 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please register before the course starts so that notes will be available.

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