In 1938, Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon agrees to welcome Jewish refugees from Germany in the Philippines.
When I mention the name Oskar Schindler, you instantly think of the man immortalized by Steven Spielberg in “Schindler’s List.” But when I speak of Filipino President Manuel L. Quezon, all I get are blank stares. That’s about to change.
Although the story has been primarily forgotten, “Quezon’s Game” is the true account of what transpired when good and righteous men and women stood up for what was right. When many countries (including the US) turned a deaf ear to the plight of the Jews seeking to flee Nazi Germany, the president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, Manuel L. Quezon (Raymond Bagatsing) was listening.
At the Malacañang Palace in Manila, a world away from the political upheaval in Europe, four men were playing poker and smoking up a storm. The group consisted of the Filipino president, U.S. Army Colonel Dwight D. Eisenhower (David Bianco), – who at the time was chief aide to General Douglas MacArthur, U.S. High Commissioner Paul V. McNutt (James Paolelli), and Jewish businessman Alex Frieder (Billy Ray Gallion). Frieder, (a cigar manufacturer originally from Cincinnati) urged his friends to facilitate a rescue of persecuted Jews and provide a sanctuary for them in the Philippines. An ambitious plan was devised which proposed saving 10,000+ Jewish families and resettling them on Mindanao, a sparsely populated island in the Philippines. There were vocal critics of the proposal (both in the U.S. and the Philippines), in addition to the numerous obstacles; securing visas, exit permits, and travel clearances. But despite the enormous hurdles that needed to be addressed and hampered by health issues, Quezon persevered. Eventually, over 1,300 Jews were rescued. In an emotionally charged scene, Quezon’s wife, Aurora (Rachel Alejandro), and daughter, Baby (Kate Alejandrino), welcome the refugees upon arrival. Unfortunately, the operation was terminated when the Japanese invaded the Philippines in 1941. Three years later, while watching newsreels about the war, Quezon turns to his wife and laments, “Could I have done more?” This is a very similar sentiment echoed by Oskar Schindler.
According to the press notes, “Quezon’s Game,” which was directed by British national (and current Filipino resident) Matthew Rosen in his directorial feature film debut, along with his Filipino wife, Lorena “Lori” Rosen, (who co-produced the film), heard the little-known story of the film from members of the Jewish Association of the Philippines. They knew immediately that this exceptional story needed to be communicated to a wider audience.
Commented Rosen, “I am a Jew who grew up in England and have experienced bigotry, but after 37 years in the Philippines, to this day, I have never come across prejudice, dislike or distrust because I am White or Jewish…this was truly a passion project for me. The story behind ‘Quezon’s Game’ remains a reflection of the Filipino people today, a warm and welcoming culture.” He continues, “In a time of war, when the rest of the world was in despair and apathetic, the Filipino people — who were suffering their own hardships — shed a light on justice and morality to lead others. Quezon fought a lonely battle for what was right up until his untimely death. The message of this amazing story, which was largely forgotten, is more important than ever in today’s growing climate of intolerance — and my wife, Lori, and I wanted to tell it. It’s my ‘thank you’ to the Philippines.”
Listen for two songs which are featured in the film, composed by concentration camp prisoners. They are entitled, “Why Does the White Man Sit in the front of the Bus?” by Karel Švenk and “Wino,” a tango by Z. Stryjecki, performed by Madrid’s In Memoriam Orchestra. Švenk was interned at Theresienstadt and his musical compositions were smuggled out of Terezín by George Horner, a member of Švenk’s band. Permission was granted to use the music by the Terezín Music Foundation (TMF), a non-profit entity dedicated to honoring the musical legacy of the artists imprisoned at the camp.
Švenk was eventually sent to Auschwitz and later died on a subsequent transport to Mauthausen. Little is known about the writer of the tango, who also perished in the Holocaust. His or her manuscripts — now housed in a Polish museum—were found with just a first name initial and last name.
If I have one criticism of the film, it is with the overall hue – a sepia tone that’s cast over the movie. It bestows a very old-fashioned pallor. Perhaps this was the intention of the filmmaker? Some heavy-handed dialogue, coupled with the overly generous display of cigar smoke distracts a Bissell. But since this is a fictionalized version of the story and we weren’t there, who is to say that it’s not an accurate depiction of the times? None of this should deter you from seeing this inspiring film. It’s such a timely message, especially when just days ago, on January 27th, we commemorated the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. If you stay for the credits (and I suggest you do), you’ll have a chance to read more about the special bonds between Israel and the country that cast the deciding U.N. vote in favor of Israeli statehood.
Through the generosity of the film’s production company, ABS-CBN Film Productions, a Texas audience was treated to a sneak peek prior to the local opening of the film. The evening was attended by members of 3 Stars Jewish Cinema, local Filipino community leaders, the press and the Houston-based heads of the Community Management and Business Development team.
Please read the transcript of my conversation with Galveston resident Dr. Barbara Sasser, the granddaughter of Alex Frieder. Prior to the release of “Quezon’s Game,” a one-hour documentary, “Rescue in the Philippines,” directed by Russell C. Hodge and Cynthia-Scott Johnson was produced by 3 Roads Communications and Frieder Films. Narrated by Liev Schreiber, the film further illuminates the story of how the five Frieder brothers together with the president of the Philippines, Paul McNutt, and Army Colonel Dwight Eisenhower aided in the rescue mission of over 1,300 Jews. The documentary, which aired on PBS stations across the country, is available to watch on Amazon Prime or through the website at https://www.rescueinthephilippines.com
“Quezon’s Game” is now playing at the following Texas theaters:
• Austin – Cinemark Southpark Meadows
• Dallas – Cinemark 17 IMAX
• Ft. Worth – Cinemark Alliance Town Center
• Grapevine – AMC Grapevine Mills 30
• Houston – Tinseltown USA
• McAllen – Cinemark Hollywood USA
• Plano – Cinemark (The Legacy)
• Round Rock – Cinemark 14 Round Rock
• San Antonio – Cinemark Movies
• Tyler – AMC Tyler 14
“Quezon’s Game” is rated PG-13 for strong language, thematic material including some disturbing images, and smoking throughout. The opening sequence depicts footage of the Holocaust taken from newsreels.
Reprinted with permission by the Texas Jewish Post.
