“The Garden of the Finzi-Continis” (1970)
94 minutes

Vittorio De Sica directs this lyrical war drama, which focuses on an aristocratic Jewish family living in Italy during World War II who doesn't comprehend the threat of the Nazis until it's too late.

In Ferrara, Italy, at the beginning of WWII, anti-Semitism is spreading; Mussolini has passed several laws that forbid Jews from going to public schools, joining the army, or marrying non-Jews. While many middle-class Jewish families flee the country, the Finzi-Continis believe it's safe inside their sprawling estate.They invite their Jewish friends to join them in the estate for parties, tennis, and games while the war rages on. They refuse to accept that there's a war going on, until eventually, they can pretend no longer, and the war closes in on them.

"The Garden of the Finzi-Continis" won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 1971 and boasts terrific performances by Helmut Berger and Dominique Sanda.

Pop, popcorn, and chips will be served.
Sponsored by the Israel Committee.