Critically acclaimed during its multi-award-winning festival run and successful May 2019 theatrical release in the Philippines, “Quezon’s Game” will begin its U.S./Canadian theatrical rollout on January 24th.
A true story of Holocaust heroism during World War II in the Philippines by Filipino President Manuel L. Quezon—who rescued as many persecuted Jews as Oskar Schindler at a time when most countries were turning their backs—the release of “Quezon’s Game” also marks the landmark 75th anniversary on Jan. 27 of the liberation of Auschwitz, the Nazi’s most- notorious concentration camp. Once forgotten to history, the incredible tale of what just one man can accomplish when defeat isn’t an option … a miraculous feat of human triumph.
A Star Cinema/ABS-CBN Film Productions production in association with iWant and Kinetek, “Quezon’s Game” is the feature film directorial debut of Matthew Rosen (also serving as cinematographer) who has directed television, music videos and more than 700 commercials over 25 years, winning more than 50 international awards. Rosen – a British national residing in the Philippines since 1986 – and 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 in 2009 and instantly realized they needed to retell this extraordinary and moving story on the big screen.
Synopsis
As WWII loomed and the 1930s drew to a close, prominent Jewish businessman, cigar maker Alex Frieder (Billy Ray Gallion), implored his friend “Manny,” Filipino President Manuel L. Quezon (Raymond Bagatsing), to assist him in establishing asylum for Jewish refugees in the tropical, island country.
Willing to risk it all, it was a moral obligation the Filipino leader was determined to fulfill … despite astronomical obstacles, the Philippines struggling, U.S.-reliant economy and his own gravely failing health due to a relapse of tuberculosis.
Filipino President Manuel L. Quezon (Raymond Bagatsing), who risked it all to rescue more than 1,200 imperiled Jews from the Holocaust at a time when most countries were turning refugees away.
In 1938, Philippine President Manuel Quezon, future US president Dwight Eisenhower, and several other notable figures set out to rescue Jewish refugees from the ghettos of Germany and Austria. What seems within their power at first, turns out to be fraught with astronomical obstacles. On top of this, Quezon must battle a relapse of tuberculosis. In his final days, Quezon asks the question “Could I have done more?” before recollecting one of the least known, but most uplifting stories in the holocaust history.
At the side of the Filipino President Manuel L. Quezon was ambitious, young, U.S. Army Colonel Dwight Eisenhower (David Bianco) then chief assistant to General Douglas MacArthur.
AWARDS
“The movie has the scope and enormity of Schindler’s List… Quezon’s Game delivers the same powerful message against racism, bigotry and discrimination
“It has gripping performance by a fine Filipino and American cast…
“Showed a consciousness on today’s issues like discrimination, anti-semitism, and feminism.
DIRECTOR
Award-winning director, Matthew Rosen.
MATTHEW ROSEN
Matthew Rosen has been lighting and directing since 1983 winning more than 50 awards for his work. He has directed and photographed over 900 commercials for clients such as Coke, Pepsi, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Unilever, Proctor and Gamble, and Nestle to name but a few. He has also directed and photographed numerous Music Videos and T.V. content including segments for BBC Children’s shows Tronji and Open A Door. Recent work includes the TV series The Boston, A Kitchen Musical. He is a pioneer in the data post production field and founder of Underground Logic, one of the first data post houses in Asia, and, Kinetek Equipment, manufacturer of innovative production equipment prototypes.
Awards include IABC Gold Quill Award of Merit Quebec 1991, Best Director in the Phil. Araw Awards 1995, Best Cinematographer in The Asian Ad Congress 1994, Bronze Award Best Public Service Ad at the London Midsummer Film Festival 1996.
President Quezon then was saving Jews,. However today,Duterte is killing his own people in generally class drug war against poor Filipinos. (1) Hypocritically,,because Duterte himself is a drug addict. #DuterteIsFentanylQueen. The poor Filipino uses the poor kind ,ie shabu while he uses the rich kind, ie Fentanyl.
(2) Erroneously, because his belief that drug addicts are hopeless. #DrugAddictsCsnBeRehsbilitstedButNotPsychopaths like Duterte.#DuterteIsaZOOciopath #DuterteIsWorseThanMarcos #DuterteResign #OustDuterte
#ProudToBeFilipinoAshamedOfDuterte
President Quezon then was saving Jews. However today,Duterte is killing his own people in a generally class drug war against poor Filipinos. (1) Hypocritically, because Duterte himself is a drug addict. #DuterteIsFentanylQueen. The poor Filipino uses the poor kind ,ie shabu while he uses the rich kind, ie Fentanyl.
(2) Erroneously, because his belief that drug addicts are hopeless is simply wrong! Recently he claimed that even if they are rehabilitated, they will only backslide and return to drug use. He was justifying that they should be killed
#DrugAddictsCanBeRehabilitatedButNotPsychopaths like Duterte.#DuterteIsaZOOciopath #DuterteIsWorseThanMarcos #DuterteResign #OustDuterte