La vita e belle

Hello, everybody, this is my regular Monday Blog.

First, I fixed the clips, the YOUTUBE clips so they fit on the page and display properly when played.

Today I want to talk about the movie "Lavita e Belle " and Achinoam's performance of the theme song.

The film is based on a true story about an Italian Jew who is sent with his 4 year old son to a concentration camp in the 1940's.

The protaganist, Guido, loves his son and doesn't want him to suffer the horrors of the ordeal, so he convinces him that the experience they are having is a game.

Guido Orefice is a sweet, goofy man who is always telling stories, The true power of love is explored in this masterpiece. Guido's love keeps Giosuy alive through the harsh truths of the concentration camp. As always, Guido makes everything into a story and a game so that the little boy will remain hidden throughout their time there. Even when all the other children are murdered, Guido's stories convince Giosuy to remain hidden from the soldiers. Giosuy's desire for his very own tank keeps him focused on winning the game that Guido has created.

Guido fell in love with Dora, a gentile, before they were taken to the camp.

Not only does Guido show great love but so does Dora. Since she is not Jewish, Dora is not threatened by the concentration camps. However, when Guido and Giosuy are taken, she demands to go with them. Dora never sees either of the people she loves nor does she have any more time with Guido, but her love brings her to the concentration camp to share their fate.

One of the reasons for the warmth of the film is that viewers meet the characters when their lives are simple and happy. We see them first as Guido and Dora fall in love and begin to share their lives together. Additionally, we understand the characters because they are so well-developed. The viewer completely understands why Guido would make a game of the concentration camp since he creates a story or a game for every other part of life even beforehand.

I can't recommend this movie with anything more than complete enthusiam.

It is truly an emotional film.

Please click the YouTube excerpt on the right of the page, it's Noa singing the theme song to the movie, and her rendition is as beautiful as any part of the film.

I first came accross Noa while listening to Arutz Sheva's Isaeli jukebox some 10 years ago.

(Google "Arutz Sheva Jukebox, click on Israeli music, "listen" and Noa sings 'Machar Yagi'a Bechatzot', it's about the 7th song on the playlist. It's incredibly beautiful and moving.

Noa, or Acinoam Nini, is a huge star around the world.

She is a Yemini Jew who currently resides in Israel.

There's a link to her website on this Blog, or you can go to http://youtube.com/ and search for "Noa", it's worth it.

The film and the song both have brought me to tears, and that isn't easy.

They help me put my own existence in perspective.

I'll be back.

G-d willing.