Shanghai Ghetto (2002)

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

"whosoever saves a single life = shall be considered to have saved an entire world" the essence of this immortal statement was exemplified by the  'World' created within the little-known  'Shanghai Ghetto' becoming a strangely-miraculous haven-refuge for approximately 20,000 desperate Jews escaping relentless persecution, merciless concentration-camp detention and near certain death at the hands of the Nazis throughout most of Europe, during pitch-black WWII Epoch."Shanghai Ghetto" is a vitally important and historically-essential documentary by Dana Janklowicz-Mann and Amir Mann,  narrated by renowned actor Martin Landau (who passed-away only a few months ago).  Presented-documented mainly thru survivor-testimonials by articulate individuals who were children or teenagers during that late-1930s to mid-1940s time-period in Shanghai.  One of the most ironic aspects of the 'Shanghai Ghetto' is that at the tragic time when most nations of the World turned a blind-eye to Jewish refugees fleeing Hitler's mass-extermination, the 'Shanghai Ghetto' served as an 'under-the-radar' clandestine sanctuary allowing Jews to be covertly 'accepted' with no Visa, or legal documents necessary for entry. Once safely inside these Jews attempted to re-create a small degree of normalcy.As witnessed in this documentary, the basics of food, medicine, clean-water were scarce for both Jews and the average Chinese citizens living in Shanghai at the time suffering similar shared-hardships together. It is also quite important to note that the Jewish survivors interviewed make it clear they felt little to no degree of anti-Semitism living among the Chinese residents of Shanghai, and that many Jewish children quickly bonded with the Chinese children living in Shanghai.The most intriguing aspect is that this unlikely enclave of Jewish refuge/sanctuary was not specifically 'planned' or directly-sanctioned by any government.  It seemed to simply 'come-together' thru a miraculous combination of fortuitous unplanned events. Even though imperial-Japan was militarily 'in-charge' of the area which became the 'Shanghai Ghetto' situated in Hongkou District, Japanese administrators surprisingly did not specifically target Jews (i.e. even though allied with Axis-Germany, Japan did not stringently adhere to Nazi plans).The saddest part of the entire documentary is revealed towards finale, when the Jewish survivors of Shanghai recall soon after the end of WWII, first hearing about the near complete destruction the Holocaust had inflicted on the Jewish populations of Europe i.e. how nearly all their relatives (hailing from Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Ukraine/ Russia, et al) had been lost/murdered in the Shoah.  Ultimately reflecting that the 'Shanghai Ghetto' which seemed quite miserable at first glance,  in actuality proved to be a 'paradise' by providing the simple gift of Life.

Being a Chinese this documentary moved me in many different ways. The Jewish refugees who were interviewed in this movie viewed the hardship they experienced in the Shanghai Ghetto as positive in general. Even though they were often sick from various diseases because living conditions were poor, and they were often hungry. They appreciated the Chinese spirit, their work ethics, and their ability to survive under the harsh Japanese occupation during the war. Most of all they were grateful to have been able to live in China and were spared the death camps many of their family members were not able to escape. This movie is a testament of the triumph of human spirit over the horrendous adverse conditions and oppression they endured during that turbulent period. All high schools/colleges should show this very well made movie to their students because they can learn so much from watching it. I am so glad I did.

This was an incredible documentary. I was not aware of this part of Jewish History. This was such an interesting story, and so well done. It is emotional at parts and extremley strong. The only thing wrong with this movie is its not long enough. I left wanting to see and know more.

I had the pleasure of attending one of the first NYC screenings last night and attending a Q&A afterwards with the filmmakers. The film moves slow at times, using much footage and interviews from those who escaped Nazi occupation by fleeing to Shanghai. The survivors speak of their family, friends and their experiences as if it were yesterday remarking stories with countless details.My father was one of the people originally interviewed for the film, although his tale did not make it past the editing room floor. Imagine my surprise though when images of people were shown and there right in front of my eyes was a young picture of my grandmother! Apparently she was close friends with the mother of one of the men interviewed.Overall, while the story of the Holocaust has been retold before, never has it been shown from this most personal perspective. The filmmakers followed two of the survivors as they traveled back to Shanghai many years later to see the homes they left so long ago. This is a pilgrimage that only a handful have made as this is a reminder of a most painful time in their past.I urge you to see this film and to encourage other new filmmakers to be daring and take a chance and tell their story. Much luck to Dana & Amir!