The film exists in multiple versions . It was originally released in Italy at 155 minutes , but poor box office performance in its native country led to its being shortened to 123 minutes for international release ; it was an instant success . This international version won the Special Jury Prize at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival and the 1989 Best Foreign Language Film Oscar . In 2002 , the director 's cut 173-minute version was released ( known in the U.S. as '' '' ' Cinema Paradiso : The New Version '' ' '' )
1989 Cannes Film Festival
1989 Cannes Film Festival
Cinema Paradiso