Film: Life Is Beautiful (La Vita è bella)

[QuestionEverything]

Directed by Roberto Benigni

In this WW II tragicomedy, famed Italian funnyman Roberto Benigni portrays Guido, who moves during the '30s from the country to a Tuscan town, where he is entranced by schoolteacher Dora (Nicoletta Braschi, Benigni's real-life wife). Dora likes Guido, but she remains faithful to her pompous fiancé, so Guido has an uphill struggle. Meanwhile, anti-Semitic attitudes lead to attacks against Guido's Jewish uncle (Giustino Durano).

Leaping ahead to five years later, during WW II, Guido and Dora are married and have a son Giosue (Giorgio Cantarini). After they are imprisoned in a concentration camp, Guido goes to elaborate lengths to keep his son from understanding the truth of their situation. He tells the boy that they are competing with others to win an armored tank -- so everything from food shortages to tattoos is explained as necessary for participation in the contest. Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

I had the privilege of watching this film as a part of a presentation given in one of my classes a few weeks ago. I can admit that the beginning has the potential to be a bit tedious, but it leads to one of the most touching and unique films I've ever seen. You'll experience the entire spectrum of emotions. An absolute must see.

[I was surprised there was no existing thread here or in the archives for this film.]

 

[wanderlust]

film: life is beautiful (La Vita è bella)

for lack of a better term... this is a beautiful film in so many ways. story, imagery, and so on.

add poll*

 

[Tomer]

beautiful film, actual holocaust survivors condoned the film as well. It was pretty hilarious seeing Benignini win at the Oscars, what a fucking sight. Nice thread.

 

[QuestionEverything]

^Condoned, yes, but don't forget this film was also condemned. There are those that didn't, and still won't, give a 'tragicomedy' about the holocaust a chance.

I really feel for those that hold that view because of the exquisite artistry they're missing out on. I viewed this with around 20 other people and there was not one person that didn't end up with tears in their eyes along with a smile.

It's a refreshing, inspiring, and hope filled take on a horrible part of our world's history that's been done so many times before. Pure beauty.

 

[Mysterier]

I watched this last night online. i thought it was a beautiful film

 

[dunwich]

This is an amazing, touching, well written, acted, and directed movie that i will NEVER ever see again!

I saw it once right after it came out, and the shit is so fucking sad. Its like, soooo sad. Like QE said...everyone cries.

 

[DarthMom]

it has been a few years since i saw this, so i can't say much more than i remember it being beautiful in so many ways. benigni was so incredible. it is such a touching view of love. i don't know if i could hold up with such strength under such conditions.

 

[L O V E L I F E]

Benignini win at the Oscars, what a fucking sight.

Arguably the most beautiful thing I have ever witnessed on television in my entire life.

 

[DarthMom]

"I'm so happy that every organ in my body is moving in a very bad way." - said backstage at the Oscars after he won the Best Actor category.

just as funny offstage.

 

[vegan]

few better ways to pass the message than the contrast between the whole comic film and the scene in which he discovers the pile of corpses