Quezon’s Game tells a heroic story that our history textbooks tend to leave out. During the brink of World War II, President Manuel L. Quezon of the Philippines wanted to open the doors of his country to the Jewish people that were looking for a place to be free of prejudice and hatred.
In 1938 President Quezon fought not only for the independence of the Philippines, but he also fought for his life and the lives of the Jewish people looking for a way to escape death in Nazi Germany. Quezon felt passionate about saving these people because he thought that he could relate to them. Being a man of color, Quezon was used to facing racism. He did not want to sit back and watch when being a man that was in such high power. Quezon, along with the Frieder brothers and Dwight Eisenhower, worked together to make a home for the Jewish people. They fought to get visas for thousands of people after being denied several times by the government.
“…Quezon fought…for the independence of the Philippines…and the lives of the Jewish people looking for a way to escape death…”
Quezon’s Game is a very unique film. It is unlike most World War II films because it shows behind-the-scenes-of what was going on while the world was at war. Not only that, but it is a story that the average person is not familiar with, myself included. I had no idea that the Philippines had such a huge impact on being a safe haven for those escaping Germany.
"…tells a heroic story that our history textbooks tend to leave out."
Every Pilipino should be proud about the story of Manuel L Quezon trying to save the lives of 10,000 Jews during WWII, although 1200 were only saved. Raymond Bagatsing did an excellent performance as the Philippine President Manuel L Quezon. I encourage all fellow Pilipinos to watch this movie. The story is worth knowing that Manuel L Quezon did something for our country that every Pilipino should be proud of. Kudos to all the actors and actresses too. Rachel Alejandro did well too. Just watch the movie while it is still showing in the US. Proud to be Pinoy because of Manuel Quezon.
We miss this showing when we visited the Philippines last may 2019 . Finally , we watched it today (jan 24 ) with my husband and daughter here in California. President Quezon s effort to give home for as many jews during the Nazis occupation in Germany was not easy , the film showed how he battles his own health, trying to acquire Philippine Independence from the US, and how he would like to inspire Filipino s nationalism. If I remember it right he is the one who made sure we have one main language which is Tagalog. To unite the divided more than 7,000 islands and more than 170 language.
I like the costume design and the place where they film the movie . And I like the way they play the card games while they discuss how to save as many Jews from Germany. I ended up crying at the last part of the movie where the scene in the river …. where Jews arrived via river taxi in Manila.
I worked at the Red Cross before, the Philippines also helped Vietnamese people when our government offered to give home for hundreds of Vietnamese in Palawan and Bataan . it was a home in times of armed conflicts.
Proud to be Filipino , the spirit of “Bayanihan” is part of our culture. “Bayanihan ” helping one another.
We just watched the movie a while ago and although I was disappointed with the numbers of viewers inside the theater, I enjoyed watching the movie. I felt proud to be a Pilipino after watching the movie. I did not know the story of Manuel L Quezon helping the Jews during WWII. Knowing now that he was an instrumental in saving the lives of 1200 Jews during that time is something that we should all worth remembering.