In 1930s Italy, Guido Orefice is a charismatic and optimistic Jewish man who works in a bookstore. His life takes an unexpected turn when he falls in love with Dora, a beautiful teacher who is engaged to a man from high society. With his wit and charming personality, Guido manages to win Dora's heart, and together they form a family, having a little boy named Giosuè. However, the political context darkens with the arrival of the fascist regime, and soon the family finds themselves trapped in the tragedy of the Holocaust.
When Guido and Giosuè are captured and sent to a concentration camp, despair and fear threaten to shatter their world. But Guido, in an act of heroism and paternal love, decides to transform the brutal reality into a game. He tells his son that they are participating in a competition to win a real tank. Through his ingenuity, he manages to maintain the illusion so that Giosuè does not feel the horror surrounding them, creating an environment of hope and joy amidst the terror.
With a blend of comedy and drama, this poignant story portrays the beauty of love and human resilience, as a father risks everything to protect his son's innocence in the darkest moments of history. The film is a reminder that even in the most difficult circumstances, hope can blossom.