Il Postino
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Il Postino is a 1994 Italian language film directed by Michael Radford which tells the story of real-life Chilean poet Pablo Neruda and his relationship with a simple postman who learns to love poetry. It stars Philippe Noiret, Massimo Troisi and Maria Grazia Cucinotta.
It was adapted by Anna Pavignano, Michael Radford, Furio Scarpelli, Giacomo Scarpelli and Massimo Troisi from the novel Ardiente Paciencia by Antonio Skármeta. Troisi had previously adapted his novel for the screen in 1983. The novel and film were set in Chile with Neruda living in his home at Isla Negra around 1970. Il Postino moves the setting to Italy in the 1950s.
The film's score, composed by Luis Enríquez Bacalov, won the Academy Award for Original Music Score. The film was also nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Massimo Troisi), Best Director, Best Picture and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium.
Writer/star Massimo Troisi postponed heart surgery so he could complete the film. The day after filming was completed, he suffered a fatal heart attack.