Life is Oh So Beautiful

“Life is Beautiful” addresses the social and philosophical issues of the Holocaust. It shows how good, innocent people were targeted and treated unfairly. The point of view is that of Guido’s, who is a prisoner in the camps, along with his son and wife. It shows the awful occurrences that happened not so long ago. Socially, it brings up the question, “Did this really happen?” Were millions of people killed for this? Did the rest of the world really just stand around and watch as the German Nazis were killing hoards of innocent people who were just like everyone else? All of this is just wrong. The whole “argument” or “meaning of the film” is based on those questions. It expresses the survival and hope that was in the camps. This demonstrates the story of a man who remained positive through the hardships he faced, despite the fact that he knew the ultimate consequence. It also shows an aspect of human nature. Guido was happy and playful before he was sent to the camps, and he continued to be the same way while he was detained. He wanted his son Joshue to be the same way and to see their hardships as a game that they could conquer and survive. Guido ultimately succeeded and saved the life of his son. That was his ultimate sacrifice. He had the will to carry on and to succeed, and he accomplished that goal through the sacrifice of himself to save his son. Philosophically, it gives another account of an event that really occurred. It proves to the world that this was a real thing, and many people really did die. Philosophers can’t argue with the cold, hard truth. It’s as simple as that. How can people deny something if they have accounts from people who really witnessed these events? This movie targets audiences that are mature enough to handle the sight of death and torture. It’s definitely not a show that is or should be directed for children. It would give them nightmares for weeks. Even adults can’t handle the horror of the Holocaust. No one likes to see the death and torture that was so natural in places like that. It was horribly frightening for them, and it’s horribly frightening for us as we look back on the events of history and realize that it’s not just a bad nightmare, but it really did happen. Also, the movie is in Italian, and to understand what’s going on, one must be able to read the subtitles. That is another way that this show is for adults. Children would not understand what was going on, whether it was the events themselves, or the difficult language on top of it all. It’s targeted towards adults because they are the leaders of society. For society not to repeat it’s awful history, it must learn of it and realize its flaws. Hopefully this movie will help accomplish that goal for people who see it.