QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES – Internationally acclaimed “Quezon’s Game” via TFC will hold its Australian premiere at the Sydney Jewish Museum on February 26, 2020. Regular screening begins in Brunei on February 6th, as well as in Australia and New Zealand on February 27th.
Once forgotten to history, ABS-CBN Films’ Quezon’s Game, in association with iWant and Kinetek, tells the powerful story of leadership and what one man can accomplish when defeat isn’t an option. Based on a true story of 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. He struggled and succeeded in welcoming folks from the other side of the world, thereby creating an enduring friendship between Filipinos and Jews – a true epitome of our humanity.
Set at the dawn of WWII, the film chronicles the seemingly impossible feat Filipino President Manuel L. Quezon (Raymond Bagatsing) had to face to answer a call for humanitarian efforts from thousands of miles away as implored by his friend, prominent Jewish businessman, Alex Frieder (Billy Ray Gallion). Amidst political and personal pressures brought by the Americans’ influence in the Philippines and his lingering tuberculosis, Quezon succeeded against all odds to welcome more than 1,200 refugees. Instrumental to this triumph was his wife, Aurora (Rachel Alejandro), and daughter Baby (Kate Alejandrino). The movie also passed through significant personalities and moments in history such as the young U.S. Army Colonel, future president Dwight D. Eisenhower (David Bianco) and the Japanese occupation that erupted in 1941.
The film reaped positive reviews with Business Mirror praising the story as “…nothing short of magnificent” brought to life by the actors’ “gripping performances…” as sighted by ScreenRaven. To date, Quezon’s Game received 25 awards including the “Awards of Excellence” for Lead Actor, Direction, Asian Film, Cinematography, and Original Score at the 2019 IndieFEST Film Awards, “Gold Remi Awards” for Best Foreign Feature, Best Director, Best Producer, and Best Art Direction at the 2019 WorldFest-Houston International Film + Video Festival and “Best in Show Grand Champion” at the 2019 Cinema World Fest Annual Gala.
Director and cinematographer Matthew Rosen, a British national and Philippine resident of over three decades, was touched by the little-known story from the members of the Jewish Association of the Philippines back in 2009. Together with his wife Lorena Rosen, who co-produced the film, they decided to retell the truly extraordinary and moving tale on the big screen.
ABS-CBN Global – TFC’s invite-only event on February 26th will include a special commemoration which endeavors to renew the ties between the Filipino and Jewish community in Australia. To join the tribute of kindness will be the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies — the roof-body of the Jewish community and advocate of its 166 major communal organizations. Officials from the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney to be led by Consul General Ezzedin Tago and other foreign dignitaries will also be in attendance.
Catch the regular screening of “Quezon’s Game” starting February 6th in Brunei and February 27th in Australia and New Zealand. For more theatre lists and more updates about the film screening, visit www.QuezonsGame.com, www.mytfc.com or follow TFC Asia, TFC Australia and TFC New Zealand on Facebook.
