From the Paper "The use of color in "Life is Beautiful" is integral in making the dramatic shift that takes place halfway through the film. Through the efforts of cinematographer Tonino Delli Colli and director Roberto Benigni, the film's color and general visual technique play a large role in the film's impact and message."
Tags:benigni, cinematography, colli, delli, life, beautiful, film
Abstract This paper describes the treatment of the Holocaust in Elie Wiesel's "Night", Art Spiegelman's "Maus: A Survivor's Tale", Roberto Benigni's "Life is Beautiful", and Alain Resnais's "Night and Fog". The paper shows how each of these different works provides a unique and important look at the Holocaust, while also illustrating that different genres and approaches can be effective in conveying an event as important and profound as the Holocaust.
From the Paper "Elie Wiesel's book, Night, tells the semi-autobiographical tale of fourteen year old Eliezer Wiesel who is sent to Holocaust concentration camps. Throughout the novel, the author struggles to find meaning in the horror of the events that surround Eliezer. The death camps consume his family, and Eliezer is left with the horrific guilt of survival. He tries desperately to understand how God could have allowed these terrible events."
Abstract This paper argues that the comedic element found in "Life is Beautiful" is appropriate to the subject of the Holocaust. The opposing viewpoints of Gerald Peary, a critic for the Boston Phoenix, and the late literary scholar Terence De Pres are also presented.
From the Paper "Shortly after WWII, jokes associated with the Holocaust were found circulating in Israel. For example, "Do you know why Hitler killed himself" He got his gas bill? (Mamet, 142-3). Jokes like this one are often considered inappropriate because they mock a very tragic event and furthermore offend many Jewish people. Such people find jokes about the Holocaust disturbing to hear and yet others find them humorous. Therefore, this form of questionable humor poses the question, do comedy and the Holocaust mix? When dealing with an issue as serious as the Holocaust, it is debatable whether or not an element of humor is appropriate."
Tags:benigni, debate, film, hitler, wwii, nazi, Peary, de, Pres, tragedy
Abstract This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the war film genre, its history and examples of some of the films that have been identified as a war film genre. The writer provides a list of common characteristics of the genre and examines several historical as well as modern war movies -19th century ?Tearing Down the Spanish Flag"; "The Birth of a Nation" (D. W. Griffith); ?Full Metal Jacket"(Stanley Kubrick) and "Life is Beautiful" (Roberto Benigni).
From the Paper "The war film genre is also referred to as the anti-war film genre, since some of the war films do not only discuss war sentiments, but anti-war sentiments as well. War as a film genre ?often acknowledge the horror and heartbreak of war, letting the actual combat fighting (against nations or humankind) provide the primary plot or background for the action of the film.? Furthermore, war films can also be "paired" with other film genres, wherein the topic of war can be interspersed with comedy, drama, or romance as a co- or sub-genre of the film. Tim Dirks, in his article about the war film genre, enumerates several characteristics and themes that can often be found in war film genres:"
Abstract This paper analyzes the comedy of Italian film and suggests that while it contains many elements, it relies greatly on comedic techniques of the past, as well as intelligence to guide its progression. The paper presents many examples of these techniques and shows where in the films they can be found. It also discusses the success of the use of these techniques.
From the Paper "The Icicle Thief by Maurizio Nichetti accomplishes this task as well. Through the fast paced visions of changing locations, commercial intrusions and cinematic special effects the film presents the portrayal of multiple characters played by Nichetti. The Icicle Thief is entitled such to correlate to the Italian masterpiece The Bicycle Thief; yet, it remains connected to the latter film only through the title and through the understanding of the art of film. This understanding, however, is intellectual because Nichetti's work asks the audience to understand how artistic endeavors are often sabotaged by the commercialism that exists throughout the world. As a matter of fact, Nichetti demonstrates that the commercialism has grown so intense that audiences rarely even realize its presence in life or its impact on the filmmaking world."
