Directed by and starring Roberto Benigni, Life is Beautiful is a story about a young Jewish man who starts his life anew in Italy by pursuing the future love of his life and opening a bookshop. The film portrays such a charming love story between Guido and Dora (Nicoletta Braschi). The film however transitions into a tragic one when this young couple and their son Joshua (Giorgio Cantarini) are escorted by train to a Jewish Concentration Camp.
Guido and his son are separated from Dora, and Guido takes it upon himself to protect his son from the truth of the camp. He pretends they are in a game to win a real tank, and tricks his son into being quiet and hiding from the guards. The two are "winning the game" when the camp goes chaotic at the closing of the war. Trying to make a final escape, Guido is killed by a German soldier leaving little Joshua alone. An American soldier in a tank discovers Joshua coming out of his hiding place causing Joshua to believe that his father was telling the truth of the "game." Joshua is reunited with his mother all because of his father's sacrifice.
I watched this film last weekend alone in my room, and I was completely heartbroken for this family by the end of the movie. I chose this film off of the foreign film list my professor gave me, and I had no idea what I was walking into. I really enjoyed this film because it helps a person connect with the Jewish expectations in Europe during WWII. I believe some of the comedy was silly and awkward, but I am glad there was some comic reliefs to help reduce the tragedy of the events of the film of a father sacrificing for his family.
I would recommend this foreign film to anyone who would like to understand from a personal point of view the experiences of a Jewish family in a concentration camp from Italy during WWII.
Poster from: www.amazon.com
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