My Italian Secret: The Forgotten Heroes

I was looking for Italian films and came across a documentary entitled My Italian Secret. It is about Italian Jews and Italian refugees from other parts of Europe, from the time of Mussolini through German occupation and Allied liberation. They interview elderly people who return to the small Italian villages to thank the families of those who helped save them. I found it fascinating because I didn't know to what extent common Italians risked their lives for strangers of another faith. You always hear jokes about the Italians surrendering, the inference being they were cowards...but it seems that many Italians risked their lives, and many were captured, tortured and killed for hiding Jewish families. So their strength lies in the fact that they give no glory to giving their lives for a political cause they don't believe in, but they took dangerous gambles to help human beings in need. A good lesson for current times. This was a very informative documentary.

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I've watched quite a few documentaries and movies about the holocaust. However, this one is unusual because it specifically addresses the Italians and how they dealt with the Jews. Fortunately, although many folks were killed, many more were spared because according to this film, many Italians stepped up and risked their lives to save them. Now this is not to say a tragedy did not occur--but, fortunately, about 80% of the Jews in Italy did survive the war.

The beginning of the film talked about a famous Tour de France winner from Italy, Gino Bartali. Then, the film jumps to many other Italians and their stories before returning to Bartali's contributions to the resistance and how he helped fleeing Jews. It's an odd way of framing the story but it worked. What also worked well was seeing folks returning to the country decades later to discuss their stories and meet with folks or their relatives that saved them. Very touching and very well made...and very interesting.

I have been a cyclist for over 50 years and also love to watch good WWII history documentaries and this one is perfect for me.I sometimes feel I did not do anything to serve my country but this generation like my father, his family and my wife's family were all heros no matter what they did. And Gino Bartali has a great story that we all did not know this until just a few years ago. I think if this film was shown in high school history classes young people would have more appreciation for our history. PLEASE watch this touching story.

Gino, thank you so much for your movie. You was in Cinema Village theater when me and my wife saw it. We were too moved to talk about to you. Since then, I think about it every day. I thank to all Italian people who helped Jews, children, families in the face of biggest genocide in history. Yes, Italian people are real heroes! While I always was sympathetic to Italy, love the language, traditions, county I am particular glad to learn that the people and country which I always loved are also great humanists and my heroes.

Again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you to all Italians, the country, to you for your movie. You, all people who helped to Jews, generations of their children will be blessed.