LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL ( PG-13 )

Roberto Benigni won his Best Actor Oscar for his poignant, humorous portrayal of a carefree Jewish book keeper, Guido Orefice in 1930's Italy, who marries a beautiful school teacher, Dora and live happily together with their son, Giosué, until the Nazi forces arrive in town.

About Roberto Benigni (1952 - )

Roberto Benigni is also known for writing and directing, as well, which is what he did with "Life Is Beautiful." He is one of Italy's leading stars, who also wrote and directed this labor of love. He also won an Oscar for his direction of the film.

His father, Luigi Benigni was a prisoner in the Nazi Concentration Camp at Bergen-Belsen, from 1943-'45. His stories of life in this camp inspired Roberto's screenplay and performance.

Roberto Benigni is the first one to win the Best Actor Oscar award for a non-English speaking performance in a foreign film, and has joined the ranks of Laurence Olivier, as only being the second person in film history to direct himself in an Oscar-winning performance.

Roberto Benigni 'sother film credits include:

MOSTRO, Il
CLAIR DE FEMME
LA LUNA
TUTTO BENIGNI
DOWN BY LAW
COFFEE AND CIGARETTES
NIGHT ON EARTH
JOHNNY STECCHINO
SON OF THE PINK PANTHER
FELLINI: JE SUIS UN GRAND MENTEUR
PINOCCHIO

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