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’ as a must watch.
‘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 to even his declining health, Quezon was able to get Jewish people out of Europe and obtain visas for them to live in 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 one of the least known stories from WWII. Set to beautiful music, including the beautiful song ‘Quezon’s Theme,’ written by James George Hargreaves, with the amazing voice of Shulem Lemmer, that will leave you with a lump in your throat at the end, with 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 a wonderfully made film that chronicles the greatest and lasting legacy of the late President Manuel L Quezon and the idea that humanity towers over hatred and bigotry! See the movie if you can. A very good lesson in history.
‘Quezon’s Game’ will be in UK Cinemas nationwide from 31st January 2020.
Review by Tim Baros