Cinéma Yves Saint Laurent 2004 Eau de Parfum

Cinema Paradiso

It sparkles at me. Glamorous and challenging. Cheekily reflecting the summer rays of sunlight. On the bottle designed by Line Vautrin, with its golden cap, the word "Cinéma" is written in unembellished letters. Simply "Cinéma".
Perhaps an invitation to a trip to the cinema.

1.
Perhaps to watch the film "Cinema Paradiso" together. Yes, it would be nice to see this classic again. This partially autobiographical film by Giuseppe Tornatore from 1988 tells the story of the people of a village in Sicily and their cinema from the 1940s to the present day:

The successful director Salvatore learns in 1980 in Rome that the local projectionist Alfredo in his childhood village, the Sicilian fishing village of Giancaldo, is nearing death. On the occasion of his funeral, Salvatore remembers his childhood in the late 1940s, which he spent largely as a half-orphan in the local cinema called "Cinema Paradiso": After the local projectionist Alfredo lost his eyesight in a fire, the little boy (who was then called "Toto" by everyone) was allowed to work in the rebuilt cinema (the "Nuovo Cinema Paradiso"), which ultimately made him fall in love with the art of film. Partly due to an unhappy love, and partly to make films himself, Salvatore later left the place of his childhood and thus also Alfredo.

But now, after 30 years, Salvatore returns to Giancaldo. Not only has he changed, but also the place of his childhood. The vacant building of the "Nuovo Cinema Paradiso" is to be demolished. However, the projectionist Alfredo left Salvatore a film reel with a series of kissing scenes as a memory, which he had to cut out over the years from the films shown in the local cinema at the request of the local priest.

2.
Perhaps we should also take Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud with us on our trip to the cinema. He is the creator of fragrances such as "L’Eau d’Issey" by Issey Miyake, "Givenchy Hot Couture" by Givenchy (together with Alberto Morillas), or "Stella" by Stella McCartney. And of course, our test candidate today: "Cinéma" from "Yves Saint Laurent".

In the 9/09 issue, Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud said to "First": "Even as a child, I was fascinated by the different smells in my father's workshop, who was also a perfumer. I thought it was great that you could make money with your nose, and since I can remember, I wanted to become a perfumer. I love the variety and never use the same raw material combination twice. But I am not just a perfumer; I also see myself as a translator of the brand for which I create the fragrance."

3.
But what does "Cinéma" (EdP) actually smell like?

It begins with a ripe clementine. Ripe and juicy, it opens the door to this fragrance for us. No sour refreshment. No, just this mature fruitiness. As was customary during film screenings, the ice cream vendor with his cute belly cart comes through again, and we immediately decide to purchase a fruity clementine ice cream. As we wonder where the hint of an alpine violet suddenly comes from (after all, our "Cinema Paradiso" is not located that high above sea level), the "fruitiness" comes to an end. Our friend Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud could not decide on a subtle fruit ice cream. No, typically male, it had to be that "Magnum" with the show-off almond bits. And he is now enjoying it. Not only audibly but also olfactorily noticeably. Right next to us. But, wow: That is quite a pleasant sweetness that delights our noses. Something in the direction of "Mandorlo di Sicilia" by Acqua di Parma, which thematically brings us back to the small Sicilian fishing village "Giancaldo," where "Toto" spent his childhood. But it is not that slightly spicy (as it is underlaid with coffee) almond sweetness of his Sicilian brother. No, it is the creamy almond of a (high-quality) ice cream. Perhaps with a few pieces of clementine. I mean those from the top note.

The pre-film is running. A documentary about flowers. We leave this region and thus the home of our alpine violet from earlier. We learn that Arabian Jasmine ("jasminum sambac") is a plant species of the genus Jasminum in the family of olive trees, which occurs wild in India and is cultivated worldwide. In our mind's eye, we see the delicious creamy almond dessert, tenderly surrounded by this delicate floral Arabian jasmine. This has brought along Amaryllis as a kind of reinforcement. And in cozy togetherness, these two delicate flowers now envelop our noble almond note. They take away its sweetness. They let it appear loose and light on this pleasantly warm summer day.

The pre-film is now over. Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud has finally finished with his huge "almond Magnum". Only a fine almond whisper remains in the room, testifying to the past enjoyment. The screen goes dark. Dark and mysterious like the finest amber. A hint of vanilla joins in. Just a whisper. It doesn't get too sweet. Someone must have consumed a vanilla milkshake. It can't be that Jacques again...
No, he just looks at me innocently and full of anticipation for the main film through his thick horn-rimmed glasses. Another breeze of rough musk, and the curtain opens. The film begins. And in large letters, I read on the screen:

"Cinema Paradiso".