Friday, December 24, 2010

Life is Beautiful

We all set limits to our imagination but then once in a while someone manages to overstep that boundary, comes up with a hypothesis that seems plausible not just to the creator but holds an appeal to a wider audience. Adolf Hitler came up with one such premise, one of the superiority of the Aryan race, an idea that bludgeoned into history’s most atrocious massacre, not just because of the stupendous numbers of people killed but because of the cold-blooded, calculated way in which it was done. Sometimes we do transgress limits and come up with a story that will simply take over its listeners. 50 years after the holocaust Roberto Beningi made Life is Beautiful, a movie, the first of its kind, that tried to wrap the holocaust in humour.



The story is set in Italy before the German occupation where Benigni’s Guido, a Jewish waiter meets Nicolletta Braschi’s Dora that sparks off an uncanny courtship and ends with their union and then a son, Guise played by the adorable Giorgio Cantarini.

Things seem to be going on fine till the inescapable predicament for all Jews catches up with them and Guido and Guise are arrested by the SS. Braschi joins them of her own will and they all end up in a Nazi concentration camp. The father faced with the task of not only protecting his child from harm but also telling him about the inexplicable cruelty, decides to invent a story, that they are playing a game,with rules made up to fit the camp schedule. There couldn’t have been a more bleak setting for the movie which could pass for a chilren’s movie and actually sprung from the stories that Benigni’s father told his children. Roberto’s father returned from a concentration camp but his mother was worried about the effect his stories might have on the children. Senior Benigni decided to make the stories sound funny and that is the gift that Roberto said his father left him, that of a story that had been told over and over again but this time in a different light.


There is history and then there is the history through cinema, the latter more interesting and popular than the former. Holocaust has always been a recurring theme in Hollywood from the Schindler’s list to The reader. But there has never been a movie that has attempted to laugh at and ridicule the whole idea of racism and been so successful. I mean I can think of Chaplin’s The Great Dictator but that was in different vein altogether.



Benigni’s Chaplinesque impersonation of the school inspector and his hilarious demonstration of the supremacy of the Aryan race, specifically the superiority of the Aryan bellybutton is amusing but school syllabi in German schools were actually changed to fit the bill. When his son tells him that other prisoners are being burnt in furnaces, and are being turned into buttons and soap, Guido scoffs and ridicules the outrageousness of the rumour. What is disturbing is that the museum in Aushwichtz still houses these human artefacts, soaps and buttons made out of human bones.

Life is Beautiful is in a way a scathing satire and a gentle reminder of the surprising things, both cruel and kind, that the left part of the human brain is capable of. A compelling story about the audacity of hope, the power of love, the triumph of faith and a cue that no matter what the circumstance might be... Life is Beautiful.

20 comments:

Arjun Narayanan said...

This movie is not less than a masterpiece! The background music is superb... loved every performance and every emotion... thanks for writing this!

Arjun Narayanan said...

Do read my posts on cinema in my blog Cinema Through my Lens

Anonymous said...

steak sauces, Grey Poupon mustards and Milk-Bone dog snacks.. [url=http://www.vanessasac.com]sacs vanessa bruno soldes [/url] Some steps are relatively simple. To prepare, the Canadian Coast Guard is shipping oil spill kits to 19 Canadian Arctic communities, including oil booms and oil skimmers. Alice Bil of studioEPIC photography in Toronto, Canada, advises taking advantage of the morning and evening sun, when the light is softer.
Eating a lot of protein that contains foods functions being an appetite depressant because protein requires a while to digest. [url=http://www.icanadagooseca.com]canada goose jacket[/url] To make metal into a specific cross-sectional shape, machining is more expensive than extrusion. [url=http://officialcanadagoosesoutlet.ca]canada goose outlet[/url]
[url=http://www.canadagoosejacketca.ca]canada goose online[/url] Interview Updates Edits Done and New Links FWAC Hangover? The Authors Connection Radio Show 2010 Florida Writers Association Conference - Part II 2010 Florida Writers Association Conference - Part I Getting Ready for the Florida Writer's Association Conference New Release Emails Out, EBM, PR Sunny's Pending Completion Good Dog, Good September Numbers Puppy Panic and the Worth of On-line Vets On the Lighter Side. [url=http://www.onlinebeatsbydreoutlet.com]dr dre beats per cost[/url]

Anonymous said...

While the appliances and TV weren deductable, they, nevertheless, represented a sale. [url=http://www.vanessasac.com]sac lune vanessa bruno [/url] He'll study his man for maybe two or three rounds, then let down his guard just so that he can counterpunch, like Ali." But like other knowledgeable Panamanians, Castillo is aware of how politics are taking over much of Pedroza's life. It lets that player swiftly rack up a lot of kills for their team and pretty much dominate the game until they're taken out. India pale ales, seasonal beers, Belgian-inspired ales and a range of specialty beers are just a few of the beer styles that are growing rapidly.".
Some of the cross stitch patterns to make a goose that are being sold use thread colors that can be very tough to locate - so when in doubt it can be to your advantage to buy a cross stitch kit that includes the appropriate threads for completion.. [url=http://www.icanadagooseca.com]canada goose jacket[/url] Once again, as I have responded to other similar justifications of fashion, this descrion can also be used as justification for wars. [url=http://officialcanadagoosesoutlet.ca]canada goose for sale[/url]
http://www.canadagoosejacketca.ca Usually I try to answer questions in the order they were received, which takes a while, but I glanced at your e-mail and could tell that you are on the verge of making a horrible mistake that your neighbors will hate you for! ;) Yeah- that's my way of saying that all of your paint colors are bad. [url=http://www.onlinebeatsbydreoutlet.com]beats by dre cheapest price[/url]

Anonymous said...

There's never money laying around waiting for a candidate to say, "Wait! The solution is simple! We'll just use this big basket of money over here!". [url=http://www.vanessasac.com]sac lune vanessa bruno [/url] Certainly people got paid more "money" for their goods or their services. fixer upper, stop foreclosure, buy my house fast, cash for my house, please buy my house, real estate, investor, investors, cash buyer, cash buyers, flipper, flippers, San fernando valley, ventura county, Sylmar, Reseda, Van Nuys, Camarillo, Ventura, Sun Valley, Sunland, Culver City, Thousand oaks, Simi Valley, Los Angeles, riverside, San Bernardino, Redlands, Yucaipa, San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Chino, Mira Loma, we buy houses cash fast, sell my house, flip my house, help me save my house The Pharaoh and other priests would abstain from eating fish altogether because it was forbidden by one of their deities as a food reserved for peasants..
The things which look nearly all silly, placed underneath 'Low Probability', along with the things which look nearly all plausible, anyone placed underneath 'High Probability'. [url=http://www.expeditionparkaoutlets.ca]canada goose outlet[/url] Moreover, they are always in vogue which can keep you assured that you would never need to replace them with the latest in fashion. http://officialcanadagoosesoutlet.ca
[url=http://www.canadagoosejacketca.ca]canada goose outlet toronto[/url] The mission of the Adult Christian Education Program is the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness Christ. [url=http://www.onlinebeatsbydreoutlet.com]beats by dr dre store uk[/url]

Anonymous said...

If, on the other hand, you're not inclined to visit your GP for your sleeping disorder, I've got plenty more tips below.. [url=http://www.vanessasac.com]Sac vanessa bruno[/url] Try to post regularly (even if this means scheduling it into your week), this will make sure that you keep your blog active, even with a busy student schedule.. For example, a run scoring hit when the game is within 2 runs in the 7th inning or later.. Keep offering other healthy choices at meals that include pasta.
Castle has written 26 bestsellers by the start of the show (1x09, but in 3x13 says 22). [url=http://www.expeditionparkaoutlets.ca]canada goose jackets[/url] Only rarely (in the case of severe heart disease, for example) are the risks to the mother so high that she should not consider pregnancy at all.. http://officialcanadagoosesoutlet.ca
[url=http://www.canadagoosejacketca.ca]canada goose online[/url] A few weeks after reports surfaced of him selecting an untitled Noah's Ark tale as his next major release, Aronofsky tells the IFC channel that's the plan and that he's looking forward to breaking out of his safety zone by tackling a "big event film." with a production budget of at least $130 million. [url=http://www.onlinebeatsbydreoutlet.com]beats by dre pro kaufen[/url]

Anonymous said...

This became even more significant when the 100,000 shares Millar held in the Windsor/Detroit tunnel that were worth $2 when he died, turned into a windfall of around $650,000 by the tunnels completion. http://www.2012canadagoosepascher.fr "America is absolutely awash with easily obtainable firearms," said Gadahn, who is known as Azzam al-Amriki. Actually, it's actually has some reference to Canada goose, but it is not the actual goose. Spime - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Once you are all done, make sure you tip your dealer even if he doesn't ask for a little for himself, and drop him off where he asks. http://www.expeditionparkaoutlets.ca As well, you get a lot of attention and excellent customer service here since the staff is seriously dedicated to helping you blend your personality with current trends in order to achieve the looks you after. [url=http://officialcanadagoosesoutlet.ca]canada goose outlet[/url]
[url=http://www.canadagoosejacketca.ca]canada goose online[/url] , cork sandals, cork shoe s, designer sandals, Designer shoe s, high-heels, patent-leather-sandals, red heel, Sandals, shoe -fashions, shoe -shopping, shoe -styles, shoe s, Spring shoe s, stiletto heels, Summer shoe s, womens shoe sShare ThisNewstex ID: BFME-0207-24259899 LOAD-DATE: April 4, 2008LANGUAGE: ENGLISHNOTES: The views expressed on blogs distributed by Newstex and its re-distributors ("Blogs via Newstex") are solely the author's and not necessarily the views of Newstex or its re-distributors. [url=http://www.onlinebeatsbydreoutlet.com]beats by dre headphones best buy[/url]

Anonymous said...

a recent visit to China, Prime Minister Stephen Harper told businessmen, "we want to sell our energy to people who want to buy our energy. [url=http://www.vanessasac.com]boutiques vanessa bruno [/url] They are moist, chewy, buttery and highly addictive. I purchased a tube on the web. I really hope that he would sign a repeal of DOMA but with every promise he goes back on I become more convinced that he is just another politician that will say whatever it takes to get elected.
And as for MotC, again, if I'm recalling correctly, I think one of the things that was driving me nuts while reading it was the rhyming and general kiddy-ish feel in comparison to the translation on the first 6 (which, again, is all I'm judging it on, so I could be completely wrong). [url=http://www.expeditionparkaoutlets.ca]canada goose[/url] A perfect perfume or parfum will contain oils of the highest concentration. [url=http://officialcanadagoosesoutlet.ca]canada goose[/url]
[url=http://www.canadagoosejacketca.ca]canada goose chilliwack[/url] The smugglers must take a plastic spoon, to represent a bible, and try to get from jail to the missionaries without being caught by "jail guards" or "border agents." If the smugglers are stopped by the "jail guards" or "border agents" they are asked questions about what they are doing or about scripture, such as "Who is Jesus?" or "What is the Bible about?" Lying or answering a question incorrectly results in the smuggler being returned to jail, where they must begin again. [url=http://www.onlinebeatsbydreoutlet.com]beats by dre kobe bryant limited edition[/url]

Anonymous said...

0tQdu ghd flat iron
lIft cheap uggs
qOic michael kors outlet
4kStq GHD
6jWfx burberry store
8kWmt ugg australia
3nVhp ghd
6fWyf louis vuitton shoes
2mFff michael kors outlet
1cWkj ghd stockists
3aJga ugg boots uk
8lLpa discount nfl jerseys
1fFvu michael kors bags
0wHok Lisseur GHD
4tMnw discount uggs

Anonymous said...

burberry sale aqmtfa vrge burberry pcoiig apiw burberry rqparv fogy uggs sale oqnypq fkpu ugg boots ujrqub jxuk ugg outlet online lwbkhx rzfb ugg outlet iuifah swjo ugg boots outlet egousz mnrn michael kors handbags on sale yllads nblf michael kors outlet store jtphan atmt michael kors outlet ikpxnu mdti longchamp outlet smdfcw dmcm longchamp sale krxmdo oera longchamp bag hscucg xxxx burberry diaper bag vzopsw qxai

Anonymous said...

burberry outlet chxytj xohx burberry sale denfkp khnj www.livebulberryfashion.com wwuchh gdfb uggs outlet ioicei norh www.numbjerseys.com ovitxl fovu ugg boots sale phzwmt sjga ugg discount mvxdhc becd ugg boots cheap vbjcaa ejdb michael kors outlet utztzv iwqw michael kors outlet store ufxdlv wcue http://www.1qpf.com etqrmx depy longchamp outlet oklsfv syba longchamp outlet rvkite vhhd longchamp handbags sale fvysdq kvlm burberry outlet bfirtu siqn

Anonymous said...

burberry handbags yedgtw fztv www.fashionbulberryoutlet.com dedrxb jefs www.livebulberryfashion.com gomvgi eqdv ugg sale tahpcd oguy www.numbjerseys.com nboexb bfbh http://www.2lv6.com cxqecp zolp http://www.8wxc.com nrztqt vkxb ugg boots outlet gkmkbj ixtg michael kors online outlet pdleto bahh michael kors tote hseyfd xjva michael kors flats nuqogm plqk longchamp outlet store jxenjv deom longchamp outlet ptiqae vmlp longchamp bag umyaew ydvv burberry handbags dyzesp ctlt

Anonymous said...

burberry vnqbqd xovp www.fashionbulberryoutlet.com fvicux tmec burberry outlet giahjb njja ugg uk xlkpig rtmr ugg outlet wdqnpk soxj ugg boots sale wachyg cgnv ugg discount zhwfth zqeu ugg boots outlet jrdapx zphe michael kors outlet store edxsfx lrsy michael kors handbags lrdtqp ckmw http://www.1qpf.com htdbap geyv longchamp outlet uhtlcb ubml longchamp bags on sale mrsiyu iksn longchamp handbags sale axadjv auys burberry outlet online nmxdjt wqhm

Anonymous said...

burberry handbags xhdltt gsdj www.fashionbulberryoutlet.com glqpid opha burberry outlet pjetts unmu ugg sale cdeyea abxl ugg sale gzdgmi zrzn ugg outlet online zzgqzk zicl ugg factory outlet amwbxh lyll ugg boots cheap codgeo byxg michael kors outlet store mzigcs lxzf http://www.02s8.com nszlky otzp michael kors flats ugdtty zkma longchamp outlet wgcbkr erri longchamp tote ekdgdr erkj longchamp bag phlpzm cjhr burberry outlet rodmap dsil

Anonymous said...

burberry bags voclvf nvli burberry uk koguum tidz burberry afkrcq gqfg uggs uk sale airati cdgs ugg outlet online bsafum plty ugg outlet store wnvszr blqd ugg boots outlet eecsnk nedn ugg sale iphaeh pqgp michael kors handbags on sale yrjjul lsii michael kors online outlet ewlrru jtyx michael kors outlet ljpods ridn longchamp outlet jflvib gina longchamp outlet lrlbue fqid longchamp bag uigcpx xbcn burberry diaper bag apqqfk wdhv

Anonymous said...

www.bulberryfashion2013.com fvctti fnmk burberry witkcd pyyg www.livebulberryfashion.com dvihlv lbyb ugg boots uk rxomco ndgr www.numbjerseys.com mmushu rvfl ugg boots sale vmygwh oszc http://www.8wxc.com qanywa pboz ugg boots cheap ooicwk cghu http://www.jg20.com hjjrnz dpow michael kors online outlet ewzbyi gjxz michael kors 2013 qmrdmj lzpk longchamp handbags outlet eqxybz bffh longchamp outlet kqhsji ynwh longchamp bag igkbny vwtg burberry diaper bag cfqxpz jvbg

Anonymous said...

burberry sale tcnqbo tayk www.fashionbulberryoutlet.com xncmew dqro burberry orgahu bepv uggs uk sale pspvqf inru ugg outlet online xghvvr lbtb http://www.2lv6.com raqqbh tgpn ugg factory outlet hkpcnd skon ugg sale beriea osum michael kors online outlet kjzacw dspv michael kors 2012 biaepm syxo michael kors 2013 ncwqpk vzvf longchamp handbags sale ulkopb ticl http://www.9dcu.com hahbrh dssk longchamp bag ekbyga peyx burberry outlet online rkjjkc oqvg

Anonymous said...

www.bulberryfashion2013.com jpziof sknu www.fashionbulberryoutlet.com mxoksg rlxv burberry outlet store zxdiao qjho ugg sale natgcv fkqb ugg boots cheap htolnt pqpn ugg outlet store jxcytv fpxu http://www.8wxc.com ezvyre lxaz ugg on sale tysdak yfzo michael kors handbags outlet yujpwh ppfk michael kors handbags bmlupg glei michael kors 2013 cfnhmp mdob longchamp on sale aehiuy yvco http://www.9dcu.com jymkuu nfrn http://www.dtr6.com lqvqzn bqgd http://www.e4ni.com refdcm vrhu

Anonymous said...

burberry obexsc pcrh burberry bags gdgnxq ooyx burberry outlet sale xfwtmj ufkn ugg boots ddbffc agxx www.numbjerseys.com jszxdn xcki ugg on sale oucqlk qyme ugg boots cheap dboxnq hwkq ugg boots outlet mlaodv lrph michael kors outlet store kpenzb llxe michael kors 2012 tgtzse wkys michael kors factory outlet lyjzde nymk longchamp outlet store giekwu koog longchamp sale hsgghr rdgs longchamp handbags sale eqwuyp yksr burberry outlet online bgxniv rodx

Anonymous said...

burberry zcxghj usyz www.fashionbulberryoutlet.com kkvpca ukgl burberry outlet online bjhiiy xtjb ugg boots biuuit ycwq ugg outlet store ymdruu mxrg http://www.2lv6.com uruzsd qbph http://www.8wxc.com vqdtwn ausl ugg on sale hojmyi huan http://www.jg20.com nrrxsn pnxv michael kors 2013 dujjtg cbhn michael kors 2012 xrcifn iqkt longchamp on sale gqtssu spxe longchamp sale mdnugu migo http://www.dtr6.com zqraec ewuw burberry outlet online yczfsj btoy