The flammability of old acetate film plays an important part in "Cinema Paradiso."

We transfer inflammable, self-destructive nitrate motion picture films of the years before 1950 to acetate film and so avoid the immediate catastrophes of combustion.

But how long will the acetate film survive?

To cover the aquarium, use a square of acetate film or thin glass.

Initially established in 1969 to house combustible nitrate films, it now houses modern acetate films as well.

Cut a fresh piece of acetate film, free of scratches, to a shape which allows about 1 cm overlap beyond the specimen edge.

Place the acetate film gently across the lower margin of the specimen where a pool of acetone will have collected.

In fact, it disappeared in the form of acetate film in the flames.

At the time, celluloid cels (rather than modern acetate film) was costly and scarce in Japan, having to be imported.

This is then drawn full-size and traced on to acetate film which is put on to a bed of clay covering the board.