Quezon’s Game (Film)
It’s the 75th anniversary of the Holocaust, and there are necessary tributes and memorials being held across the world. There are also television and film tributes being shown, but if you can, please include Quezon’s Game in your schedule.Quezon’s Game is the fascinating story of Manuel Quezon (Raymond Bagatsing), the president of the Philippines who rescued 1300 European Jews in 1938. Through many obstacles, including from the U.S. government to members of his own staff, and even his declining health, Quezon was able to get Jewish people out of Europe and obtain Visas for them for the Philippines (which at that time was a territory of the U.S.). Originally wanting to save 10,000, the 1300 were saved with the help of future U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower (David Bianco) the support of his wife Aurora (Rachel Alejandro), and the determination of several others including Jewish cigar factory owner Alex Frieder (an excellent Billy Ray Gallion).
Quezon’s Game is an emotional journey of the decisions that Quezon had to make in a time when the world was waking up to the atrocities of Hitler in a least known story of WWII. Set to beautiful music, including the beautiful song ‘ ‘ with the amazing voice of Shulem Lemmer, that will leave you at the end with a lump in your throat and vivid images of the survivors, some of whom provide commentary while the credits role.
Quezon’s Game has won worldwide acclaim, and awards from several organizations. It’s beautiful filmed and acted, and definitely a must see.
Quezon’s Game will be in UK Cinemas nationwide from 31st January
