Foreign Film Friday: “Life is Beautiful” (La vita è bella) by Benigni

(“La vita è bella”) (1997, 1h 58m, Italy, War/Comedy by Roberto Benigni)

Classic movies from around the world every Friday!
Donation-based admission. Light refreshments available.

When an open-minded Jewish waiter and his son become victims of the Holocaust, he uses a perfect mixture of will, humor and imagination to protect his son from the dangers around their camp.

A gentle Jewish-Italian waiter, Guido Orefice (Roberto Benigni), meets Dora (Nicoletta Braschi), a pretty schoolteacher, and wins her over with his charm and humor. Eventually they marry and have a son, Giosue (Giorgio Cantarini). Their happiness is abruptly halted, however, when Guido and Giosue are separated from Dora and taken to a concentration camp. Determined to shelter his son from the horrors of his surroundings, Guido convinces Giosue that their time in the camp is merely a game.

Academy Awards (Oscars) – 1999
The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won three:
Best Actor: Roberto Benigni
Best Foreign Language Film: Italy
Best Original Dramatic Score: Nicola Piovani
Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director (Roberto Benigni), Best Original Screenplay (Vincenzo Cerami, Roberto Benigni), and Film Editing.

Cannes Film Festival – 1998
Grand Prix (Grand Jury Prize): Roberto Benigni

David di Donatello Awards (Italy) – 1998
Best Film
Best Director: Roberto Benigni
Best Actor: Roberto Benigni
Best Script: Roberto Benigni, Vincenzo Cerami
Best Producer: Elda Ferri, Gianluigi Braschi
Best Production Design: Danilo Donati
Best Costumes: Danilo Donati
Best Cinematography: Tonino Delli Colli
Best Editing: Simona Paggi

Other Major Awards
BAFTA Awards (1999): Best Actor (Roberto Benigni)
European Film Awards (1998): Best Film, Best Actor (Roberto Benigni)
Nastro d’Argento (Italy – 1999): Best Director, Best Actor, Best Script
César Awards (France – 1999): Best Foreign Film
Golden Ciak Awards (1998): Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress (Nicoletta Braschi)
Critics’ Choice Movie Awards (1999): Best Foreign Language Film

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