SUGIHARA SURVIVORS: Jewish and Japanese, Past and Future | Nice IFF 2018

Directed by
Junichi Kajioka

Category
Short Documentary

Synopsis
A short documentary about Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese diplomat who saved Jewish people in WWII and some of the “Sugihara survivors”, who he helped save. Mr. Sugihara bravely issued transit visas to Jewish people against his government’s orders and thereby saved 6,000 lives from the Nazi persecution. He has been referred to as “Japan’s Oskar Schindler”. The stories around him are fascinating. His story helps challenge commonly held perceptions about the Japanese in wartime. The film shows a Japanese writer, Akira Kitade, trying to trace the identities of some of the survivors. The film includes the interviews of the “Sugihara survivors” and uncovers close connections between Jewish and Japanese people in the past that should help inform and encourage future relationships.

Run time: 25m