China's Schindlers

China's Schindlers is a unique, engaging, and deeply touching documentary film released in 2014. The film unravels an untold story from the tumultuous years of World War II, shedding light on the acts of righteous defiance from two diplomats stationed in Europe: Ho Fengshan from China and Chiune Sugihara from Japan. The documentary unravels their courageous humanitarian acts that share striking similarities with Oskar Schindler's tale, thus the title "China's Schindlers".

Directed by renowned Chinese director Ren Yuan, the film sets out to break the widespread misconception of Asian countries' involvement during World War II, specifically that of China and Japan. Contrary to popular belief, these two diplomats, Fengshan and Sugihara, demonstrated unprecedented heroism in helping Jews escape from fascist oppression.

The documentary pivots around the lives of these two diplomats and their remarkable efforts as they provided visas to thousands of Jews, risking their lives, their careers, and their families. They took on this daunting task, aware of the intense challenges and the potential ramifications but driven by their profound conviction.

The narrative spins a gripping story, drawing heavily on real testimonies, historical documents, seldom-seen footage, and personal accounts from the survivors or their children. This allows for an authentic portrayal of the diplomats' heroism amidst the terrifying backdrop of the Holocaust.

Ho Fengshan is portrayed as a confident man of principle, a Chinese consul in Vienna who issued visas to numerous Jews, enabling their escape to Shanghai – a city under Japanese control at the time. He does this despite a direct order from his superiors to restrict visa issuance.

The other axis of the film is Chiune Sugihara, the first Japanese consul to Lithuania. He, too, took defiant steps against his higher-ups to issue transit visas to Jews. As a result, thousands were able to make the laborious journey across Russia to Japan, and from there, further out to safety.

The title, "China's Schindlers," does not merely hint at the similarity of these diplomats' acts to Oskar Schindler but also emphasizes a theme of common humanity regardless of nationality or cultural backgrounds. It underscores the shared traits of compassion and courage that stood as a beacon of hope amid the darkness of one of humanity’s worst periods.

The film is skilfully woven, delivering a compelling narrative enhanced by an incredibly evocative and powerful score. Ren Yuan's astute direction and insightful storytelling offer a deep dive into an under-explored perspective of World War II. The viewer is taken on a historical journey that's both touching and awakening, with a vivid canvass featuring sweeping shots of landscapes, historical sites, and reconstructed situations.

Although the film is indeed a historical account, it trumps the typical rigid storytelling associated with many documentaries. It evokes emotions and rebukes the stereotype of Asians during the period, highlighting the compassionate aspects of two diplomats often overlooked by other historical projects.

"China’s Schindlers" also raises questions around the broader theme of morality versus duty, the struggle between personal conviction, and imposed orders. While outlining the diplomats' actions as the right thing to do, the film does not shy away from pondering their aftermath. It touches on the consequences faced by both men; each losing their career as their respective governments failed to acknowledge their humanitarian achievements for many years.

Overall, "China's Schindlers" serves as a testament to the courage of two men who stood up to the oppressive machinery of their times. It captures the true essence of humanitarian spirit exemplified by these unsung heroes during one of history’s darkest times. While it is a film about shedding light on a forgotten chapter of World War II, it also stands as a mirror to contemporary society, calling for tolerance, compassion and challenging the status quo in the face of injustice.