Watch China's Schindlers

China's Schindlers is a powerful and emotional documentary film that tells the story of a group of Chinese businessmen who rescued thousands of Jews during World War II. Commissioned by the Simon Wiesenthal Center, the film explores the little-known history of the Chinese Holocaust and the courageous Chinese individuals who risked their own lives to protect and save Jewish refugees.

The documentary opens with a brief overview of the geopolitical climate in the late 1930s, as Hitler's army marched across Europe and anti-Semitic violence swept through the continent. At the same time, China was in the midst of its own conflict, as Japan invaded and occupied parts of the country. Many Jews who were living in China found themselves trapped and in danger, with few options for escape.

Against this backdrop, the documentary introduces the viewer to the principal players in the story - a group of Chinese businessmen led by Ho Feng Shan, a Chinese diplomat stationed in Vienna, Austria. Ho was responsible for issuing visas to foreigners, and in 1938 he began issuing visas to Jews in order to help them escape the country. Over the next few years, Ho and his colleagues used their personal connections and resources to rescue as many Jews as possible, including many who had been turned away by other countries.

At first, the work was slow and dangerous. Ho was repeatedly warned to stop issuing visas by the Chinese government and the Nazi authorities, who saw this as a threat to their dominance. However, Ho persisted, often defying orders and putting himself in harm's way in order to save lives. He was eventually reassigned to a less important post in Prague, but even there he continued his work, issuing visas and working with other rescuers to transport Jews to safety.

Ho's efforts were supported by many other Chinese individuals, including businessmen and religious leaders, who saw it as their duty to help those in need. The documentary introduces us to some of these rescuers, including Pan Jun Shun, who helped transport Jews across the border into China, and Wu Ningkun, who sheltered refugees in his own home.

As the war escalated and the Japanese began to occupy more of China, the situation became increasingly perilous for everyone involved. However, the rescuers continued their work, even as they faced arrest, imprisonment, and death. By the end of the war, estimates suggest that they had saved as many as 10,000 Jews.

Despite their heroism, however, the work of Ho and his colleagues has been largely overlooked by history. China's Schindlers is an attempt to correct this oversight and to honor the bravery of those who risked everything to help others. The film is a moving tribute to the power of compassion and humanity in times of war and conflict, and a reminder that in the darkest of times, even a small act of kindness can make a difference.

Throughout the film, the audience is treated to a range of archival footage, photographs, and interviews with survivors and experts. The documentary is expertly crafted, with a clear and concise narrative that makes it easy to follow the complex history of the rescuers and their work. The film also offers some insights into the broader historical context of the Chinese Holocaust, and the ways in which its legacy has been remembered in both China and around the world.

Overall, China's Schindlers is a deeply moving and inspiring documentary that deserves to be seen by as many people as possible. It tells a story that is both tragic and uplifting, reminding us all of the importance of standing up to oppression and fighting for what is right. The film is an essential contribution to our understanding of World War II and the Holocaust, and a powerful call to action for those who seek to create a better and more just world.

China's Schindlers is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 52 minutes.