940.54

A DEBT TO HONOR: ITALY  (1995)

Deb

During the Holocaust, 30,000 Jews—nearly 80% of the Jewish population—evaded the Nazis in Italy. This happened with the help of many “ordinary” Italians. Holocaust filmmaker Sy Rotter focuses on these rescuers, including interviews which allow them to tell their stories. Priests, nuns, and “regular” Italian citizens who aided Jews are interviewed. In 1994 in Rome, over 100 Italian Righteous Gentiles were honored by a group of Roman Government officials, leaders of the Jewish community, and Italian Holocaust survivors.

29 min.  AGE: 12 to Adult

940.53

THE GARDEN OF THE FINZI-CONTINIS  (1971)

Gar

Academy Award-winning Italian film about an aristocratic Jewish family living in Italy during World War II. The Finzi-Continis are assimilated Jews who live in a beautiful, secluded estate in Ferrara, Italy. During 1938-1943, Mussolini’s Fascist government enforced Racial Laws on Jews, restricting their activities, associations and rights. The film focuses on the two Finzi-Contini children, young adults who open their home to friends as restrictions grow. We watch their friendships and romantic relationships change as war becomes eminent. The Finzi-Continis learn that neither money nor social status can save them from the inevitable fate of European Jews during World War II. Based on the novel by Giorgio Bassana. In Italian with subtitles. Note: Includes one brief scene of nudity.

1 hr. 34 min. Rated R.  AGE: Adult

781.7

ITALY: SALOMONE ROSSI: BETWEEN WORLDS  (Jewish Music Heritage Library, Vol. 9) 

Jew

(1996)

Part of a series produced in Israel which attempts to develop a comprehensive documentary on Jewish music. Each volume introduces historical background and presents and discusses songs, lyrics and melodies of one particular group of Jews. This volume focuses on the musical works of Salomone Rossi, an important Italian Jewish composer of the Renaissance and Baroque period. Rossi was the first to introduce choral music into the synagogue, composing 33 choral works. Some of his works are performed in this video by Italian and Israeli musicians and singers, against the background of Italian palaces and synagogues. The film also includes dances created by Jewish dancing masters of the 16th and 17th centuries, performed by dancers in authentic period costumes. A guide shows viewers sites from the Jewish ghetto in Mantua, where Rossi lived, and scenes of the Jewish ghetto in Venice. Nothing was heard from Rossi after 1630, and it was assumed that he died during the year of the Black Death.

28 min.  AGE: 12 to Adult

940.53

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL  (1997)

Lif

This acclaimed Holocaust film—often referred to as “a Holocaust comedy”—was nominated for 7 Academy Awards. Italian actor Roberto Benigni stars as Guido, a bumbling Jewish waiter who wins the heart of a beautiful woman. They marry and have a child. The first half of the film is very entertaining, but the mood changes in the second half as Germany invades Italy and Jews are deported to concentration camps. Guido tries to protect his son by pretending that what is happening in the camp is all a game. He continues to joke and humorously pantomime those around him until the very end, keeping up his son’s spirits. Note: This film was met with much controversy. Some feel it is about a father’s overwhelming love and self-sacrifice for his son amid the most dire circumstances. Others feel that the Holocaust is not a matter for humor or joking—under any circumstances—and that the film is unrealistic and makes too light of one of the most horrifying and devastating events in human history. Teachers and facilitators must preview this film carefully before using it with a group and should be prepared to discuss the many issues it raises.

The library has two versions of this video: Italian with subtitles and dubbed in English.

1 hr. 56 min. Rated PG-13.  AGE: 14 to Adult

945

RETURN TO THE JEWISH GHETTO OF VENICE  (1980)

Ret

Filmmaker Gady Castel narrates and takes viewers on a tour of the Jewish Ghetto in Venice where he was raised. Of the 1,300 Jews who lived in Venice prior to World War II, only 10 families remain. Includes a visit to synagogues and various areas of the ghetto. Note: The film’s soundtrack is somewhat difficult to understand.

28 min.  AGE: 13 to Adult

909.04

THE SEARCH FOR DELIVERANCE (1491-1789)  (Heritage: Civilization and the Jews,

Her

Chapter V)  (1984)

Part of the “Heritage” series which chronicles over 3,000 years of Jewish history, thought, and culture. This chapter looks at the bustle of Jewish life in Amsterdam, Constantinople, Safed and Venice in the wake of the expulsion from Spain; the flourishing of Polish Jewry. Topics covered include “The Expulsion from Spain and Its Aftermath,” “Jews in the Italian Renaissance” and “The Zenith of Polish Jewry.” Study guide available.

1 hr.  AGE: 12 to Adult

Isabella Rossellini and Jeroen Krabbe star in this beautifully filmed drama based on a true story about the effects of the Holocaust on an affluent Italian family. Krabbe plays Wilhelm, a sophisticated and assimilated German Jew who lives with his beautiful Christian wife and two daughters in a villa in Tuscany in 1944. Two young nieces, Penny and Baby, come to live with the family after their parents are killed in an automobile accident. The story is told through Penny’s eyes, as she and her sister integrate into their new family. Much of the film is a coming-of-age story, as Penny acclimates to her new family and school, has religious struggles and befriends their peasant neighbors. When the Nazis occupy Italy, Wilhelm is repeatedly warned by friends and even clergy, to flee with his family to safety, as he is a Jew. A proud and idealistic man, Wilhelm refuses to escape or to hide, saying that a man must live with some dignity and that he has done no wrong. It is only towards the end that Wilhelm sees he has no choice but to leave. Then tragedy unexpectedly strikes the family at the very brink of liberation. Based on the autobiographical novel by Lorenza Mazzetti. Note: Similar to “The Garden of the Finzi-Continis,” this poignant film explores the reactions and the fate of many of Italy’s assimilated Jews during the Holocaust. Includes scenes of violence.

In Italian with subtitles.  1 hr. 42 min.  AGE:  17 to Adult

940.53

THE TRUCE  (1996)

Tru

Dramatization of Italian writer and Holocaust survivor Primo Levi’s “The Reawakening”—an autobiographical account of his liberation from the camps and his homecoming. Actor John Turturro plays Primo Levi, an Italian Jewish chemist who joined the Italian resistance in World War II and was deported to Auschwitz. The film follows Levi after liberation, showing his experiences on his journey home to Italy. Levi travels with a group of survivors and wrestles with his reawakening emotions as he adjusts to a new life in freedom. Directed by Martin Scorsese.

1 hr. 47 min. Rated R.  AGE: Adult