La vita è bella (Life is Beautiful) (1997) is an Italian tragicomedy directed by and starring Roberto Benigni. The film tells the poignant story of Guido Orefice (Benigni), a charming and optimistic Jewish man who uses humor and imagination to shield his young son, Giosuè, from the horrors of life in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II.

Set in Italy, the story begins as a lighthearted romantic comedy, showing how Guido meets and marries Dora (Nicoletta Braschi) and they start a family together. However, as the war intensifies, Guido and his family are sent to a concentration camp. To protect Giosuè’s innocence and spare him from fear, Guido invents an elaborate game, convincing his son that they are playing for points and that the grand prize is a tank. Guido’s efforts create moments of warmth and humor amid the despair, helping Giosuè survive and find hope in unimaginable circumstances.

La vita è bella received critical acclaim and won several Academy Awards, including Best Foreign Language Film and Best Actor for Benigni. Praised for its balance of comedy and tragedy, the film is celebrated for its depiction of love, sacrifice, and the power of imagination. It remains one of the most emotionally resonant films about the Holocaust, capturing the resilience of the human spirit and the lengths a parent will go to protect their child’s happiness.