Garden of the Finzi- Continis: Response The Garden of the Finzi- Continis takes place from 1938-1943 when

fascists in Italy were beginning their changes in law and policy regarding Jewish-Italians. The film takes place in Ferrara, Italy in a time of peace; as we become familiar with the main characters the political climate of the film changes drastically. We begin our story with characters dressed all in pristine white going to play tennis at the mansion of the Finzi-Continis. It is said that Micol and Alberto, college age children of the home never leave their kingdom. Alberto and Micol choose to have the tennis tournament at their home because the tennis club has kicked them out. At this point, we know not why. Their lands are lush and green with a concrete barrier separating the family from the city. It seems that they are protected and shielded from the outside world. Giorgio is another college age gentleman who we see walking hand in hand with Micol. They talk of graduation and whether they will both be permitted to finish their degrees. At seemingly the same time the industry worker Malnate is speaking about his time in Ferrara. We receive a glimpse of his political beliefs when Malnate mentions his appreciation for the working class or proletariat. In addition he mentions his dislike for the middle class, because most of them are fascists, except for the Jews. Malnate also adds that everyone at his place of employment it anti-fascist, further solidifying his beliefs to the viewer. As the conversation continues, Alberto mentions to Malnate why he never leaves the Garden. If it were possible to pick the faces one met on the street perhaps I would go out. It seems as if the Finzi-Continis think they are safe within their compound. Perhaps they feel their

wealth will shield them from the increased regulations being pressed upon the Italian-Jewish community, and Jews around the region. After this conversation we are taken back in time to when Giorgio and Micol were in their mid-teens. This established a bond between the two in addition to adding context to Giorgios first time in the garden ten years after this childhood meeting. He never crossed over the concrete barrier into the garden of Micols family, because he was fearful of losing his bike. This is a foreshadowing of the barriers Giorgio can never cross with Micol. We are next taken back to their time during which a paper salesman hands Giorgio a paper which impacts him greatly. As we are taken with Giorgio on his journey through his home, Hebrew writings are hanging on his wall, denoting that his family is Jewish. Soon after arriving home, Giorgio is speaking to his father who admits his view that Mussolinis fascism better than Hitlers Nazism. Giorgio forces him to read the newspaper. The printed restrictions proclaim that Jews may not go to state schools, no obituaries in the newspaper, no servants of Aryan descent, no more phone listings, and prohibition of mixed marriages etcetera. The family fears Giorgio may not be able to finish his degree and that little sister Fanny will be taken out of school. Fanny is pleasantly indifferent. As the plot continues we discover that many Italian- Jews of Giorgios age are being sent away by their parents. Even Giorgios brother, Ernesto is sent to France to study while Giorgio is requested to leave the school. At Giorgios home there are ringing phones at night with no one on the other end. It is discovered that this was not a random occurrence, happening to other Jewish families as well.

Things with the Finzi-Continis are not much better. Micols brother Alberto is sick with fever and coughing. His illness is progressing and he is becoming more pale and withdrawn as their story continues. In addition, Micol explains that her exams were given by professors in Nazi uniforms. After her comment, Giorgio jokes that soon literature would be Aryan. It is noted that Micols father is a professor, and because of his distinguished profession she could be permitted to finish her degree, and even play tennis with Aryan students her own age. Soon after Giorgios visit to the Finzi Continis Giorgio travels to see Ernesto in France. Giorgio feared the Italian government would not let him out of Italy. When he arrived at Ernestos, Giorgio discovered a number on his housemates arm. The young man questioned Giorgio do they talk about Dachau in Italy? Of course Giorgios reply was that he knew nothing of it. It seems that oppressive behaviors in society were permissible until it was happening to them and their families. The young man continued: Germans brand numbers in the flesh of Jews, communists, socialists, dissidents of all varieties, in other words those whom the Nazis call the dregs of the human race. He further explained that he was a coward for surviving because he told the Nazis he was one of them. This young man survived to tell the story, without him Giorgio and the others would not know the horrors of Dachau. Once back in Italy, Giorgio and Malnate notice a boy riding by with a Nazi flag on the front his bicycle. Tension ensues further when Malnate and Giorgio watch a movie with Hitler and rising of the swastika flag and people cheering in favor. Giorgio makes a comment calling Nazis bunch of riff raff and people in the theatre look back and give him disapproving looks. Soon a fight ensues with Giorgio and another movie attendee for his anti-Nazi beliefs. Malnate defends Giorgio saying that he is Italian and adding that it was a good thing the angry Nazi supporter did not know he was Jewish.

To Giorgios surprise, he discovers that Malnate and Micol are lovers. Giorgio is broken hearted but still loves Micol and attempts to change her mind. Micol is still ice cold and shows no emotion to Giorgio and he expresses that he will never return to her garden. Unfortunately for Micol, Malnate was drafted into the Italian army and sent to Russia, where he was killed. Life at this time is becoming increasingly difficult for Italian Jews. In regards to our characters, Alberto has died and during his funeral precession air raid sirens are blasting loudly. There is no one on the streets of Ferrara as the family makes their solitary journey. Despite the sirens, the Finzi-Continis family somberly continues into the family graveyard marked with the Star of David. Many of Giorgios friends are being picked up by anti- Jewish police forces, including the Finzi-Continis. The officers pack them into tight rooms and the family of the FinziContinis is separated. Giorgios father is in the same room as Micol and he explained that Giorgio and Fanny are far away. We werent the first to be persecutedbut we all kept quiet as long as we werent hit Reflecting on this quote can be applied to not only anti-Semitic persecution, but to all areas of life where there is oppression and persecution. The only way to stop oppressive behavior, such as what was happening in Italy and Germany, is to know about the stories and inspire empowerment and bravery in each other. It is regrettable that the Finzi-Continis went to their death with such reserved propriety but their example is one not to be followed in the face of persecution.