I was just reading the other thread about top scenes in cinema. A lot of people (myself included) mentioned the last scene of Schindler's List. I noticed no one had mentioned La Vita e Bella.

For a movie that won 3 oscars, I imagined it was more well-known. But it is understandable: after all, there are questionable ones that have gotten more, so people might just not know it's good.

I figured one barrier is it's because it's Italian with subs/dubs. But people these days are watching shows like Money Heist or Squid Game just fine, so that wouldn't be an obstacle anymore!

It did come out nearly 30 years ago, and it's a tragicomedy about WW2. But Jojo Rabbit managed to pull this off and resonate with younger audiences.

So I think it's simply that not enough people talk about this movie!

Short recap: It's a humanist tale about a Jewish father trying to hide the horrors of the war from his child, by pretending it's all play.

To me, the ending is the most powerful one I've seen in a movie:

Spoiler:>!As he is trying his best to hide the reality of the concentration camp from his child, the guards come for him. He comes up on the spot with the idea that they're playing hide and seek. He's going to go away with the guards now, and you need to hide. He waves goodbye in a reassuring manner.!<

I was stunned. I remember seeing this as a teen, and understanding that trying to do good and to find good, to make things better for those around you who cannot, is not just a noble and important thing. It is difficult. Most people would simply resign themselves about how horrible life is. Clench your teeth and endure. It was the message I got from The Pianist, Saving Private Ryan. La Vita e Bella taught me that an even bigger sacrifice is to try to find and bring joy when there isn't any.

I hope this inspires some new people to watch it. Have you noticed this as well? I'm curious what your thoughts are as to why, and what your thoughts are on the movie. Maybe I'm over valuing an old movie that made an impression to me when I was younger.

I noticed many Gen Y and Gen Z cinephiles don't seem to know of La Vita e Bella (Life is Beautiful). I think it is an important movie