May 27 - Giuseppe Tornatore

Happy 64th Birthday, Giuseppe Tornatore! Born today in 1956, this Italian screenwriter and film director is considered as one of the directors who brought critical acclaim back to Italian cinema. 

  

In a career spanning over thirty years, Tornatore is best known for directing and writing drama films.  

  

In the 1990s, these included th 1990 Italian drama film Stanno Tutti Bene' ('Everybody's Fine'), the 1998 Italian drama/musical film 'The Legend of 1900' ('La leggenda del pianista sull'oceano', or 'The Legend of the Pianist on the Ocean'). 

  

The following decade, these included the 2000 Italian/American romantic comedy-drama film 'Malèna' and the 2013 English-language Italian psychological thriller romance/drama film 'The Best Offer' 'La migliore offerta' – entitled 'Deception' in the United Kingdom). 

  

However, Tornatore is best known for writing and directing the 1988 Italian drama film 'Nuovo Cinema Paradiso' ('Cinema Paradiso'). 

  

The film follows young Salvatore Di Vita (Salvatore Cascio), who discovers the perfect escape from life in his war-torn Sicilian village: the Cinema Paradiso movie house. 

It was here where projectionist Alfredo (Philippe Noiret) instills in the boy a deep love of films.  

  

When Salvatore grows up, he falls in love with beautiful local girl Elena Mendola (Agnese Nano) and takes over as the Paradiso's projectionist. 

Afterwards, Alfredo must convince Salvatore to leave his small town and pursue his passion for filmmaking. 

  

The score was written by Italian composer, orchestrator, conductor, and former trumpet player Ennio Morricone. This was along with his son, Italian composer and conductor Andrea. 

  

Tornatore is also known for his long-standing association with composer Ennio Morricone, who composed music for thirteen Tornatore feature films since 1988. 

  

Two years later, 'Cinema Paradiso' won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film at the 62nd Academy Awards. This occurred in late March 1990. 

  

Tornatore has been active from 1985–present. 

  

#borntodirect 

@tururitours 

@bestofsicily 

@letterboxd 

May 26 - National Paper Airplane Day

Happy National Paper Airplane Day! On May 26 each year, today commemorates the simple aeronautical toy that’s been around for thousands of years. 

Flying paper planes is an inexpensive, healthy, and stimulating form of entertainment. With that said, put down your smartphones and get outside for some primitive fun – even if for only a few hours one day of the year. 

The use of paper airplanes is believed to have originated two thousand years ago in China! The earliest known date of the creation of modern paper planes was said to have been in 1909. 

Did you know? 

On September 28, 2013, the largest paper aircraft had a wingspan of 59.74 ft. Students and employees made it in Germany. 

In February 2012, the distance record (226 feet, 10 inches) was set by Joe Ayoob with a plane. 

The record time for the longest-lasting paper airplane flight is 29.2 seconds. 

There’s more than one way to fold paper for a test flight. Find tips for designs by visiting the website below:

https://www.foldnfly.com 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Test out your paper airplane making skills! Like the paper airplane day Facebook page to join in on the festivities. Watch flights on YouTube. Use #PaperAirplaneDay to share on social media. 

Educators and families, visit the National Day Classroom to discover fun ways to #CelebrateEveryDay!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB1xaaVd41g 

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xzt3vb 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewRjZoRtu0Y 

Quiz
  

Q: The four forces that influence the flight of a paper airplane are thrust, lift, gravity, and drag. What is each of those forces? 

A: 

When you throw the plane forward, this is called thrust. Lift is a force that acts on the wings and helps the plane to move up. Big wings increase lift. Gravity is the force that pulls the plane down. 

The right materials can create a lighter aircraft that stays up for longer. Drag is caused by the tail of the plane and is the opposite of thrust, and it makes the plane slow down. 

Paper airplane contests compete for the top place in what two categories? Distance and Time to float. 

HISTORY 

National Day Calendar® was unable to determine the origin of National Paper Airplane Day. 

#PaperAirplaneDay 

@Pixar 

@miauk 

@nichecinema