From 1937 to 1941, President Manuel L. Quezon opened the doors of the Philippines to the Jews. His remarkable act of opening the country to the refugees saved 1,200 Jews from the Holocaust.
If this doesn’t sound familiar to you, the highly acclaimed Filipino film, Quezon’s Game is here to remind all of us of this very courageous and interesting part of Philippine history. The film centers around the president’s plan to shelter Jews in the Philippines who were fleeing Nazi Germany during the pre-World War II era.
The movie is set to be shown in the UAE starting November 12. Incidentally, this first Filipino movie to be shown in the UAE this year happens at the same time when Dubai welcomes its first flight with tourists from Israel.
Multi-awarded actor Raymond Bagatsing plays the president’s role while the equally talented Rachel Alejandro plays the role of his wife, Aurora Quezon. The film was directed by Matthew Rosen who is British-Jewish.
Why you should see the movie
In a time when many Filipinos today express displeasure and confusion with the current Philippine government, the movie is a great way to look back and be reminded that once upon a time, the country is steered by a truly great leader.
Where to watch Quezon’s Game in the UAE
The public can watch the movie in select screens from the following cinemas:
- Vox Cinema Burjuman
- Vox Cinema Deira City Centre
- Reel Cinemas – Al Ghurair
- Reel Cinemas – The Dubai Mall
- Novo Cinemas – Sahara Centre
- Novo Cinemas – Megamall
- Novo Cinemas – Dragontmart
- Roxy Cinemas – Citywalk
Please check the cinema websites (linked above) for updates on the schedule.
You may also follow ABS-CBN Middle East on Facebook for further updates.
The awards
The film won at least 20 awards as an entry in various international film festivals. In January 2019, Quezon’s Game won 12 accolades at the Cinema World Fest Awards in Ottawa, Canada.
CINEMA WORLDFEST AWARDS CANADA
- Award of excellence “ACTING” Male Lead
- Award of excellence “ACTING” Female Lead
- Award of excellence “SUPPORTING ACTOR”
- Award of excellence “ORIGINAL SCORE”
- Award of excellence “LIGHTING”
- Award of excellence “PRODUCED SCREENPLAY”
- Award of excellence “SOUND DESIGN”
- Award of excellence “COSTUME DESIGN”
- Award of excellence “SET DESIGN”
- Award of excellence “DRAMA FEATURE”
- Award of excellence “COLOR TREATMENT”
- Award of excellence “DIRECTING”
THE INDIEFEST FILM AWARDS 2019 CALIFORNIA
- Excellence “LEADING ACTOR” Raymond Bagatsing
- Excellence “ASIAN FILM”
Carlo L. Katigbak
Lorena H. Rosen
Olivia M. Lamasan
Linggit Tan-Marasigan - Excellence “ORIGINAL SCORE” Dean Rosen
- Excellence “CINEMATOGRAPHY” Matthew Rosen
- Excellence “DIRECTION” Matthew Rosen
- Excellence “SPECIAL MENTION” Film Feature
Carlo L. Katigbak
Lorena H. Rosen
Olivia M. Lamasan
Linggit Tan-Marasigan
CINEMA WORLD FEST ANNUAL GALA 2019
- Best in Show
ACCOLADE GLOBAL FILM COMPETITION 2019
- Excellence “SPECIAL MENTION” Film Feature
Carlo L. Katigbak
Lorena H. Rosen
Olivia M. Lamasan
Linggit Tan-Marasigan
WORLDFEST HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2019
- Best Director
- Best Producer
- Best Art Direction
- Best Foreign Feature
Watch the trailer
In the not-so-distant past, we cannot comfortably share in public anything that has to do with Israel here in the UAE. We cannot even post our photos from our Israel pilgrimage. But thanks to the recent Israel-UAE peace agreement, we’re seeing these beautiful changes continuously happening, and this film showing in the country is one true evidence of this remarkable peace treaty.
