Italian director, actor, and screenwriter Roberto Benigni returned to the scene after his timeless masterpiece “Life Is Beautiful” (1997) to present, in 2005, a work that is no less beautiful and splendid—even though it did not achieve the same level of fame and popularity. In fact, it is striking that the opinions about “The Tiger and the Snow” (2005) were so divided and varied.

In my view, there are many similarities between the two films. First, of course, is that Roberto Benigni wrote, directed, and starred in both films and in both, his real-life wife, Nicoletta Braschi, plays the female lead. The chemistry and complete harmony between the two are nothing short of astonishing. The second—and, in my opinion, most important—similarity is that in both films, Benigni searches for beauty amidst ugliness. He delves into history to uncover the darkest facets of human nature, weaving love stories and portraying tender...