Watch Shanghai Ghetto For Free

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

Watching it is like watching the spectacle of a class clown at their best: you laugh at their jokes, instigate their defiance, and "ooooh" when they get in trouble.

Being a Chinese this documentary moved me in many different ways. The Jewish refugees who were interviewed in this movie viewed the hardship they experienced in the Shanghai Ghetto as positive in general. Even though they were often sick from various diseases because living conditions were poor, and they were often hungry. They appreciated the Chinese spirit, their work ethics, and their ability to survive under the harsh Japanese occupation during the war. Most of all they were grateful to have been able to live in China and were spared the death camps many of their family members were not able to escape. This movie is a testament of the triumph of human spirit over the horrendous adverse conditions and oppression they endured during that turbulent period. All high schools/colleges should show this very well made movie to their students because they can learn so much from watching it. I am so glad I did.

This was an incredible documentary. I was not aware of this part of Jewish History. This was such an interesting story, and so well done. It is emotional at parts and extremley strong. The only thing wrong with this movie is its not long enough. I left wanting to see and know more.

My grandfather was a Jew in Shanghai during the holocaust. I have done a lot of research about the Jews in Shanghai and it is nice to see that this documentary was put together to inform people about this part of history that is not widely known. It is both touching and heartfelt, sad and liberating. I have always wondered exactly why China opened its doors to the Jews. I am thankful for all they did for my grandfather and thousands of other Jews. China's compassion has touched many generations and I feel indebted to the Chinese because of their kindness and understanding. This part of my heritage has sparked an interest for me about China and I will be teaching English there in a few months. I have traveled to China twice and have made many wonderful friends. The first time I went, I had a chance to go to Shanghai and I saw the memorial dedicated to the Jews of Shanghai. That trip is something I will always remember.

I had the pleasure of attending one of the first NYC screenings last night and attending a Q&A afterwards with the filmmakers. The film moves slow at times, using much footage and interviews from those who escaped Nazi occupation by fleeing to Shanghai. The survivors speak of their family, friends and their experiences as if it were yesterday remarking stories with countless details.My father was one of the people originally interviewed for the film, although his tale did not make it past the editing room floor. Imagine my surprise though when images of people were shown and there right in front of my eyes was a young picture of my grandmother! Apparently she was close friends with the mother of one of the men interviewed.Overall, while the story of the Holocaust has been retold before, never has it been shown from this most personal perspective. The filmmakers followed two of the survivors as they traveled back to Shanghai many years later to see the homes they left so long ago. This is a pilgrimage that only a handful have made as this is a reminder of a most painful time in their past.I urge you to see this film and to encourage other new filmmakers to be daring and take a chance and tell their story. Much luck to Dana & Amir!