‘Quezon’s Game’ Review: Philippines as sanctuary of refugees

In this modern-day wave of migration of Filipinos abroad including Australia, it is applauding to be cognizant of the Philippines’ history of opening its doors to refugees fleeing war and persecution in their home countries. 

The acclaimed historical film Quezon’s Game delivered a powerful message of hope, compassion and humanitarian heart of the Filipinos. The movie depicts the inspirational crusade of how Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon rescued more than 1,200 Jewish refugees who escaped the terrors of the Nazi regime while battling with tuberculosis and escalating conflicts and tension with the United States of America and internal political opposition. 

With its nostalgic production design, Director Matthew Rosen captured the film’s honest intention of retelling a little known significant contribution of Filipinos in the Holocaust horrors. Filipino actor Raymond Bagatsing’s brilliant performance as Quezon elevated the screenplay’s political-drama-thriller approach while the portrayal of Hollywood actor Billy Ray Gallion as the Jewish businessman living in the Philippines Alex Frieder who implored Quezon to establish an asylum for refugees was indeed compelling that played emotions convincingly. 

This holocaust heroism repainted the Filipino’s hospitable and compassionate characteristics that should not be forgotten by history.