In the film, Life is Beautiful, director Roberto Benigni showcases the absurd nature of racial vilification through the anti-Semitic belief and actions of the Fascists. By employing cinematic techniques and stylistic features, man’s inhumanity is made explicit through the dehumanising effects of war on innocent lives. Despite inhumane conditions being present amongst humanity, through the protagonist Guido Orefice, Benigni highlights that such horrendous suffering also has the power to elicit the best in humanity. Furthermore, Benigni reveals that whenever an individual faces adversity with enormous strength and fortitude, life becomes more ‘beautiful’ and they can transcend life’s tragedies.
By utilising various filmic features, Benigni accentuates …show more content…
Moreover, the slapstick humour used by Guido as he describes the perfection of an Aryan belly button further emphasises the extreme absurdity of racism as all humans have the same shaped belly button, however; the Italians believed it to be a ‘part of our [their] race!’. At the dinner, Dora’s colleague repeats a mathematical problem which was asked to third graders asking how much money would be saved if the ‘lunatics’ and ‘epileptics’ were ‘eliminated’, referring to the Jewish population. This showcases the dehumanised way in which the Jews were perceived as they were perceived more as mathematics and a simple ‘problem’, then they were as humans. Furthermore, the character contrast between Dr. Lessing and Guido further reveals the ludicrous nature of racism because while Dr. Lessing is educated and is a doctor, it is ironic as he is complicit in the killing of Jews. Contrastingly, Guido may not be well educated, however, his impact on others is positive due to his altruistic behaviour. Ultimately, if war brings out the worst in people, it probably emphasises racism to a much
By utilising various filmic features, Benigni accentuates …show more content…
Moreover, the slapstick humour used by Guido as he describes the perfection of an Aryan belly button further emphasises the extreme absurdity of racism as all humans have the same shaped belly button, however; the Italians believed it to be a ‘part of our [their] race!’. At the dinner, Dora’s colleague repeats a mathematical problem which was asked to third graders asking how much money would be saved if the ‘lunatics’ and ‘epileptics’ were ‘eliminated’, referring to the Jewish population. This showcases the dehumanised way in which the Jews were perceived as they were perceived more as mathematics and a simple ‘problem’, then they were as humans. Furthermore, the character contrast between Dr. Lessing and Guido further reveals the ludicrous nature of racism because while Dr. Lessing is educated and is a doctor, it is ironic as he is complicit in the killing of Jews. Contrastingly, Guido may not be well educated, however, his impact on others is positive due to his altruistic behaviour. Ultimately, if war brings out the worst in people, it probably emphasises racism to a much