This is my story about how I discovered The Garden of The Finzi-Continis, a story about Italian Jews in World War II by Giogio Bassani.
Micol Finzi-Contini
I became acquainted with Micòl the year I turned 14. A beautiful, blond Italian Jew, I guess you could say she kept me company every day after school for more than a year. Twenty-five more years would pass, however, before I received the message she intended for me: Racial and religious persecution can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime.
From the fall of 1981 to the spring of 1983, every day after school was the same. I’d cross a highway, pass a cemetery, count at least 48 World War II era houses – most of them painted white – and finally arrive home to an empty house on State Street. This was Kansas. Some days were bitter-colder than others. This only meant I walked faster.
And, some days, I was more afraid than others, which only meant I walked faster and did not look behind me.
Latchkey Teenager
I was a typical latchkey adolescent. I’d catch a few minutes of fuzzy, rural-reception TV; maybe talk to a friend on our rotary dial phone, and then stand in front of the kitchen sink and wash all the dishes before my parents arrived home from work.
While I washed the dishes I listened to Debby Boone’s 1977 album, You Light Up My Life on an 8-track tape player my brother Billy, a Marine, sent me from Okinawa. My favorite song on the album was the third track, Micòl’s Theme.
I memorized all the words to the ballad, and for nearly three decades have returned to it again and again. I sing it on the rare, long drive across country or occasionally at night when I put my kids to bed.
Micòl’s Theme
Recently, my daughter, who is starting guitar lessons, asked me to help her find some new songs to learn, and I suggested Micòl’s Theme. And just like that, I was no longer content with the mystery, and I put my mind to discovering exactly who was Micòl? After all, she spent all that time with me. And I’ve thought about her so many times over the years, just as I have thought about my 14-year-old self, latchkey, but not lost; alone, but never lonely. My imagination and dreams were faithful, and kept me great company.
So, I discovered that in 1962, Giorgio Bassani wrote the partly autobiographical The Garden of the Finzi-Continis, a haunting classic novel of Facist Italy on the brink of World War II.
In 1970, Vittorio De Sica, directed the film of the same title starring the still-stunning and unforgettable French actress Dominique Sanda in the role of Micòl. Italian actor and director Lino Capolicchio played the part of Giorgio. It won the 1971 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
The Finzi-Continis are an aristocratic Italian-Jewish family living in Ferrara, Italy when the government passes anti-Semitic legislation. The family, which includes the provocative college-aged daughter, Micòl, is caught up in an ironic mix of denial, idyll days and fear, if not resignation. They self-barricade behind the walls of their massive estate, but eventually, in 1943, are rounded up and sent to Germany. None of them survive the war.
On the surface, the film is about unrequited love, but I have read enough holocaust literature to know that it is about so much more than Micòl rebuffing the grown up affections of her childhood friend Giorgio. As one editorial review so eloquently stated, the novel is about a “tragic era in which not even nobility could outrun the events let alone admit they needed to.”
Who among us could fathom such atrocities?
So, it is that Micòl refuses to return Giorgio’s love, not because she races across the night to literally give away the love he always thought belonged to him, but because she has some sense of the doom that awaits her family. She foresees the outcome of Nazi-Facist persecutions and does not want to pollute the precious and innocent childhood memories she shares with Giorgio. And, who can blame her?
Lyrics To Micòl’s Theme
Like children on a swing
We floated through the summer air
A time to laugh
A time to play
Giorgio Bassani
The author, Giorgio Bassani, who grieved for Jews who had no grave at all, died in 2000, and is buried in the Jewish cemetery in Ferrara. That cemetery was the setting of the prologue to his novel. And, really, it was not Micòl who spent those afternoons washing dishes with me, but Bassani, who told her story, and tells it still for us all to hear and see and read.
At least 8,000 Italian Jews perished as a result of the Nazi-Facist persecutions.
Songwriter Joseph Brooks, 71, composed the plangent Micòl’s Theme for The Garden of the Finzi-Continis. However, he is better known for writing the smash hit You Light Up My Life recorded by Debby Boone. Micòl’s theme is the third track on the album.
This year, 2010, is the 40th anniversary of the film The Garden of the Finzi-Continis. It is available through Amazon and Netflix. Today, amidst war, rumors of war and lingering war, the ballad and the story of Micòl Finzi-Contini is a timely rememberance: Religious and racial persecution can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime.
From Micòl’s Theme
Micol, there was a time for us
Long ago, there was a time for us
When the fields were green and the sun was warm
And the days of love and laughter went on and on…
You can listen to Micol’s Theme on You Tube.
@FLCONFETTI – Oh my gosh. Your comment made writing this post so worth the time and emotional energy it took. I know exactly what you’re talking about – going back to a place long hidden. It was the same for me. I’ve been reading a book on writing personal essays. It talks about ways we avoid writing the truth. So, it’s funny that I would create a blog to explore the truth about my own life, but only end up linking, for the most part to other peoples’ content. Opening those places is not easy, huh? Thanks so much for your comment.
I was 6 when I received this album. I played it thousands of times and sang along.
I didn’t remember this song by its title, but thought I would recognize it if I played it (haven’t had the album for 25 years now). I hit ‘play,’ but didn’t look at the lyrics; it’s a game I play with myself, trying to remember lyrics to songs from the past.
Upon hearing the very first word “Micol….” it all came back in a giant wave of emotion. Tears welled up, my throat tightened, I was breathing hard. I remembered it all!
But why am I crying??
I never had a clue at 6 years old what the song meant, but I knew it was pretty. All I can think is that this sudden transport back to my pink room and my plastic record player took me by surprise. This wasn’t even my favorite song on the album, but it obviously touched me in a place that’s been long since hidden.
Jen, what a wonderfully written heartfelt piece, I have never heard of this story and plan on picking up the book.
@JENNIFER K – you are braver than me. I can’t read those blogs. You inspire me though. I really should go digging around for some inspiration. There’s one blog I think we’ve discussed in the past. It has Generation X in the title. It’s so disgusting. And heartbreaking.
And, anyone who dares to think Catholics aren’t Christians are just silly. That is ridiculous. I can’t even comment on that level of stupidity.
Jen, so much word on your heated comments about Pat Roberston. I hate that mofo with the intensity of a thousand suns. I bet once Jesus comes back he’s going to look at guys like Robertson and say, “That’s not what I meant.”
A few years back I started reading blogs by “Christian” women whose opinions are quite similar to Robertsons. I totally disagree with these women, and I find them quite repugnant, yet I can’t look away. I read their blogs to see if anyone would mention the tragedy in Haiti, and found nothing. One did say we should pray for them, but I know she won’t send one red cent. She’s hugely bigoted against blacks and people she considers non-Christians. Yes, I know Haiti is a primarily Catholic country but most of these people don’t consider Catholics to be Christians. Ugh.
I must see this movie. Thanks for the suggestion, Jen.
Boy the first part of this post took me right back to my own childhood…where i too was a latchkey kid,listened to Debbie Boone’s you light up my life and knew all the words on 8track and did the dishes before my parents got home….
Off to click the link I can only imagine it is beautiful and just shows how i never listened to an entire 8track,album or cd
@GRACIE – Thank you!
@KENT – You are exactly right, and I turned that line over in my mind 100 times knowing it wasn’t quite right, and spoke in only linear fashion.
Pat Robertson is a revolting creature. I was all over Twitter and Facebook expressing my views of his latest attempt to bolster funds to his so-called ministry. Everytime there is natural disaster that evil clown pipes up, and it’s all in attempt to drive donations. It is disgusting. Most people really think his motivations are religion, but they aren’t. He’s a total mercenary – willing to do and say anything for money.
As always, you provide such thought provoking comments. And, Kent, as shocking as it is, Christians often persecute other Christians. One of the greatest example of this was Judas and His persecution of Christ. Blessings on you, and keep the comments coming. You always make me think.
Jen I have that Debbie Boone album. I am going to play it again tonight and particularly listen to Micol’s Theme now that you have shared so much interesting information.
Take care always sweet friend.
Peggy xxxxx
I’ll start out that your comment on religious persecution was that I felt you were saying that religion was or is being persecuted. So that definition is where I base my comment from.
Religion also is being used right now to persecute groups the “quote” religious men have identified as being evil.
(just look at Pat Robertson and Rush Limbaugh today on their stance on what has happened in Haiti. Deplorable comments made by both men on a social disaster)
One must be aware that both religious and the defined non religious, use persecution to advance their beliefs. So look at both sides and be aware.
Immigrants, Muslim, gay, Hindu are all being targeted by religious groups.
The Shite, Sunni, Taliban, protestants of Northern Ireland and catholics of Northern Ireland are just a few of the historic religious groups that have used persecution.
Persecution as defined by webster
1 : the act or practice of persecuting especially those who differ in origin, religion, or social outlook 2 : the condition of being persecuted, harassed, …
so by the definition persecution is used to try to get people to believe as the group that is doing the persecution.
That is why one must always question the groups, organizations or people that are promoting persecution and question their motives, and understand where they maybe coming from and call them out to prevent such tragedies from occuring again.
But alas we’re talking mankind…
and mankind can be very fallible.
But as a whole mankind can recognize the problem and make changes.
Hi Jen–
Read with interest your post. I had never heard of this song or the film. Thanks for the background information. The MESSAGE relayed to you was strong,
“,,, It can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime…”
Thanks for sharing and Congratulations on the “Technorati’s” Film Article.
Hugs– Gracie
I’ve never heard this song….how beautiful! Thanks for sharing it!!!
Lin
Jen, beautiful song and movie. Too bad the right ring politicos caused such a tragedy.