Post by SimchatTorah on Aug 2, 2004 18:28:36 GMT -8
I wanted to start a thread where we can discuss how Judaism and the Jews are portrayed on film. We can discuss how film has impacted audiences towards Jews and Judaism, or how the Jews and Judaism have an outlet in which to express itself. I'll leave it totally up to you where this thread goes.
I thought I'd open the discussion with Life is Beautiful (La Vita E Bella) a wonderful Italian movie that debuted here in the states in 1998 (and 1997 in Italy).
synopsis:
trailer can be viewed here: www.movie-list.com/l/lifeisbeautiful.shtml
and here: www.apple.com/trailers/miramax/lifeisbeautiful.html
Life is Beautiful won the Grand Prix award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1998. It is written, directed, and starred by Roberto Benigni, a master who many acclaim similar to Charly Chaplin and numerous other American slapstick classics. Life is Beatiful almost feels as if it is two movies combined into one film. The first half of the film begins very quickly (don't worry, the subtitles soon slow down). It feels as if it were a 1960's comedy, very light hearted and a touch on the romantic side. It will make you laugh out loud as Benigni masterfully tells his story.
You begin to see the setting of the film as gentle hints are dropped concerning the antisemetic rise in Italy during the film's timeframe. For example, one storefront states:
Guido's young son (a very very adorable actor who flawlessly makes you believe his innocence) curiously asks his father why this store doesn't allow Jews or Dogs. The father, pausing for a moment, turns to his son and explains to him that certain people don't like dogs, or kangaroos, or monkeys, etc. These people also may not like Chinese, or Jews, etc. He then tells his son that they will put up a sign on their bookstore that says, "No Kangaroos or Visgoths Allowed". Through Guido's magical humor very depressing situations can be portrayed in a powerful way. These light hearted situations allow you to feel the gravity of the surroundings, yet help Guido maintain his son's innocence.
About halfway (or a little less) into the film it takes a gradual shift. The movie then turns into a beautifully sorrowful romantic drama. The young child and father are taken away to a concentration camp. While Guido's wife (Benigni's wife in real life as well) is not Jewish so she is left behind. She demands to remain with her husband and son fully aware of the consequences. However, she is seperated from Guido and Giosue (her son). The father soon realizes how horrible of a situation they are now placed in. He tells his son that this is all a game, and if they win he will get a big prize (you'll have to see the movie to know what the 'prize' is).
Guido's love for his son shines through as he does everything humanly possible to protect not only his son's life, but his innocence.
No matter how many times I see this movie, even though I own it and can recite nearly every line flawlessly... it still makes me shed a tear at the end. You see that Giosue has no idea of the reality he has gone through. You realize that the son is oblivious to the harshness of the concentration camps. You realize the power a loving father has in a child's life. You realize, without seen the blood and the horrors, how terrible a place the concentration camps were. You realize all this, while gaining a respect and deep passion for those who still have their 'innocence'.
This movie does not play on fake emotions. Rather it conjurs up inside of the viewer true feelings of sorrow, joy, and love. This movie shows how one can be free even while in captivity. This movie shows how one can be full of joy and laughter even while enduring the most harsh of circumstances.
How does this relate to Judaism and/or the Jews?
I think a number of beautiful Jewish lessons can be gleaned from this film. One understands that although suffering is a great part of the Jewish heritage... joy, laughter, and love are the center core of Jewish Ancestory. It also shows the importance Jews place on children, marriage, and life itself.
I highly reccomend this film to everyone.
Shalom,
yafet.
I thought I'd open the discussion with Life is Beautiful (La Vita E Bella) a wonderful Italian movie that debuted here in the states in 1998 (and 1997 in Italy).
synopsis:
In 1939, Guido, an Italian Jew, falls in love with Dora, who isn't Jewish. He woos her away from the Fascist official she has been dating, and they get married. Their son Giosue grows up among growing anti-Semitism. As the war progresses, Guido and Giosue are arrested and taken to a concentration camp. Dora goes too, determined not to separate the family. In the midst of the horrors of the camp, Guido protects his son by pretending that survival in the concentration camp is an elaborate game with which Giosue must play along or be sent home.
trailer can be viewed here: www.movie-list.com/l/lifeisbeautiful.shtml
and here: www.apple.com/trailers/miramax/lifeisbeautiful.html
Life is Beautiful won the Grand Prix award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1998. It is written, directed, and starred by Roberto Benigni, a master who many acclaim similar to Charly Chaplin and numerous other American slapstick classics. Life is Beatiful almost feels as if it is two movies combined into one film. The first half of the film begins very quickly (don't worry, the subtitles soon slow down). It feels as if it were a 1960's comedy, very light hearted and a touch on the romantic side. It will make you laugh out loud as Benigni masterfully tells his story.
You begin to see the setting of the film as gentle hints are dropped concerning the antisemetic rise in Italy during the film's timeframe. For example, one storefront states:
No Jews or Dogs Allowed
About halfway (or a little less) into the film it takes a gradual shift. The movie then turns into a beautifully sorrowful romantic drama. The young child and father are taken away to a concentration camp. While Guido's wife (Benigni's wife in real life as well) is not Jewish so she is left behind. She demands to remain with her husband and son fully aware of the consequences. However, she is seperated from Guido and Giosue (her son). The father soon realizes how horrible of a situation they are now placed in. He tells his son that this is all a game, and if they win he will get a big prize (you'll have to see the movie to know what the 'prize' is).
Guido's love for his son shines through as he does everything humanly possible to protect not only his son's life, but his innocence.
No matter how many times I see this movie, even though I own it and can recite nearly every line flawlessly... it still makes me shed a tear at the end. You see that Giosue has no idea of the reality he has gone through. You realize that the son is oblivious to the harshness of the concentration camps. You realize the power a loving father has in a child's life. You realize, without seen the blood and the horrors, how terrible a place the concentration camps were. You realize all this, while gaining a respect and deep passion for those who still have their 'innocence'.
This movie does not play on fake emotions. Rather it conjurs up inside of the viewer true feelings of sorrow, joy, and love. This movie shows how one can be free even while in captivity. This movie shows how one can be full of joy and laughter even while enduring the most harsh of circumstances.
How does this relate to Judaism and/or the Jews?
I think a number of beautiful Jewish lessons can be gleaned from this film. One understands that although suffering is a great part of the Jewish heritage... joy, laughter, and love are the center core of Jewish Ancestory. It also shows the importance Jews place on children, marriage, and life itself.
I highly reccomend this film to everyone.
Shalom,
yafet.
find great peace, and nothing can make them stumble." -Tehillim (psalms) 119:165 
