Directors: René Balcer & Nicola Zavaglia, Canada, 2017, 90 min., English, Chinese w. subtitles.
This documentary recounts the courageous intervention of Ho Feng Shan, the Chinese Consul in Vienna who defied his own government and braved the Gestapo to issue visas to European Jews on the eve of World War II. We hear from the Chinese residents of Shanghai, who helped them survive in China, as well as Jewish refugees who recount their experiences, terrors and deprivations. We see the remarkable friendships forged across cultures that survive to this day. Shot in six countries over four continents, Above the Drowning Sea takes you on an inspiring emotional journey, narrated by Julianna Margulies. Truly a story that could have been ripped from today’s headlines, the film vividly celebrates the heroism and humanity of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances. Awards: Best Documentary, Ferrara Film Festival, Best Documentary, Hamilton Film Festival and Honorable Mention, New Jersey International Film Festival.
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