Please note: The following text contains spoilers. Viewer discretion is also advised – this film is rated '12'.
La vita è bella (or Life Is Beautiful) is a vastly impressive tightrope act of filmmaking – one seldom seen in contemporary cinema. Despite the controversies surrounding his Oscar-winning film, director, co-writer and star Roberto Benigni (Italy’s Charles Chaplin, no contest) beautifully orchestrates a cinematic feat of balancing humour and naturalistic emotion, in a film which sensitively addresses the atrocities of the Holocaust. Naturally, the pairing of humour and the horrors of a historical tragedy are not typically best suited to one another, but somehow, Benigni crafts an emotional portrayal of fatherhood which not only works, but contains striking similarities to the Father’s love for His creation and His desire to protect us from darkness.
Initially set in 1930s Italy, La vita è bella introduces us to the playful, good-natured Jewish bookkeeper, Guido (Benigni), who after successfully sweeping a beautiful woman named Dora off her feet, begins a family and leads a truly idyllic life. Upon the outbreak of war, however, Italy falls under occupation by German forces, the family are seized and subsequently find themselves interned within a Nazi concentration camp. In order to protect his son Giosuè from the horrors of his surroundings, Guido employs his rich imagination to create a game in which Giosuè must complete challenges to earn points – a process which, unbeknownst to him, shields him from death itself.
For a film which addresses such difficult subject matter, Benigni handles even the most troubling content with sensitivity, revealing various plot developments through implication, rather than outright revealing bloody violence or injury detail, on screen. We do learn, however, that many atrocities are committed throughout the scenes set within the camp, which dramatically alters the tone of the film in its final third. And whilst the shift in tone invites deep sadness and even righteous anger at the injustices depicted on screen, such a development really allows the film’s overarching motifs to be made known.
For a film which addresses such difficult subject matter, Benigni handles even the most troubling content with sensitivity, revealing various plot developments through implication, rather than outright revealing bloody violence or injury detail, on screen. We do learn, however, that many atrocities are committed throughout the scenes set within the camp, which dramatically alters the tone of the film in its final third. And whilst the shift in tone invites deep sadness and even righteous anger at the injustices depicted on screen, such a development really allows the film’s overarching motifs to be made known.
Most notably, Benigni homes in upon the biblical themes of sacrificial love, protection from darkness, salvation and restoration. In shielding his son from violence and almost certain death at the hands of the Nazi’s, Guido embodies the Father’s resolute desire to protect humanity from evil and the destructive powers of sin, at all costs. For we know it is God’s will that each and every one of us are saved and set apart from the darkness of this world, coming to Him alone for protection and ultimately salvation. The Bible even teaches that for those who draw close to Him, “He has rescued…from the power of darkness and transferred” them “into the kingdom of his beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13, NRSV). Rather than leave us to the mercy of such darkness in our lives and world, God chose to send His one and only Son as a sacrifice who would not only shield us from the evils of sin, but destroy its power forever, in making a way for us to be saved from the evils of sin.
And yet, that salvation comes at a great cost. Romans 3:23 (NIV) teaches "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”, which means that each and every one of us have been touched by the darkness of this world. We have all succumbed to its temptations and done wrong in His eyes, choosing to fulfil our own selfish desires over God’s. And Romans 3:10 (NIV) even confirms this, when it plainly states: "There is no one righteous, not even one." We therefore deserve to receive the “payment for sin (which) is death” (Romans 6:23, ICB), and the cost to free ourselves is so much, that we couldn’t possibly pay it through our own means. But there is Good News for all. Romans 5:8 (NLT) gives us hope, in revealing that “God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us (on the cross) while we were still sinners”, so that we might enter into eternal life with Him. But the cost of being saved is so great, that it could only be paid through an act of sacrificial love, much like that of Guido when he sacrifices his life for his son’s. It costs Guido everything, but his beloved son lives into maturity, experiencing salvation and liberation from unprecedented evil. This is reminiscent of John 3:16 (ESV), which says “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” For whilst Guido’s sacrifice results in him saving his son in the physical, Jesus’s sacrifice is much weightier, for it is the power to save all people and give them fulness of life now, but also in eternity.
Challenge:
Why not prayerfully invite a friend or family member who doesn’t yet know Jesus, to watch Life is Beautiful for themselves? Use the film’s themes to ask them what they thought of the film, if they spotted any links to Christianity and what they might think of the Gospel’s response to this subject.
If you feel able to, ask them what they think about Guido’s act of sacrificial love, for his son – how did it make them feel? Is this a father’s love for their child, taken to the fullest extent? What do they think about God and His desire to protect them from evil, in sending His one and only Son to save them? Later, if they're open to hearing it, take an opportunity to share the hope of the Gospel message with them.
Prior to watching the film for yourself, however, take a moment to pray that God would speak to you through the film. If you feel comfortable, pray this prayer over all of your future, film-watching experiences:
Dear Lord, As I watch this film, I ask that you would be present here with me. Highlight to me anything within it that is honourable, anything that can be used in conversation for your Kingdom purposes. Amen.
Life Is Beautiful is available to rent through Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV
Challenge:
Why not prayerfully invite a friend or family member who doesn’t yet know Jesus, to watch Life is Beautiful for themselves? Use the film’s themes to ask them what they thought of the film, if they spotted any links to Christianity and what they might think of the Gospel’s response to this subject.
If you feel able to, ask them what they think about Guido’s act of sacrificial love, for his son – how did it make them feel? Is this a father’s love for their child, taken to the fullest extent? What do they think about God and His desire to protect them from evil, in sending His one and only Son to save them? Later, if they're open to hearing it, take an opportunity to share the hope of the Gospel message with them.
Prior to watching the film for yourself, however, take a moment to pray that God would speak to you through the film. If you feel comfortable, pray this prayer over all of your future, film-watching experiences:
Dear Lord, As I watch this film, I ask that you would be present here with me. Highlight to me anything within it that is honourable, anything that can be used in conversation for your Kingdom purposes. Amen.
Life Is Beautiful is available to rent through Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV
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