(“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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