Exodus to Shanghai

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Directed by Anthony Hickox (“Knife Edge” and “Consequence”), “Exodus to Shanghai” (2015) is a WWII action/drama/comedy about Chinese diplomats living in Europe at the time, a never before told true story based on the life of screenwriter Michael Adam. The year is 1938 and the place is Vienna, Austria. Chinese Consul Dr. Ho (played by David Yu) goes against the will of the Nazi regime and its mercenaries to issue Exit Visas to Jews at the strategic time that Nazi Germany invaded Austria.

In the foreground, the film follows Bruce (Alexander Nguyen) and Fannia (Yaara Benbenishty) who fall in love through their mutual admiration for each others' beauty and difference of culture, paired with their common cause to fight against evil zombie-like Nazi fever of the late 1930's. Together Fannia and Bruce battle the Nazis that stand in their way, he with his Jackie Chan caliber marital arts and she with her sublime violin playing talent, as they follow Dr. Ho and thousands of fleeing Jews to the Orient Express where they will escape war torn Europe for an exodus to Shanghai.

The cast are all fairy new to the scene and the characters almost too beautiful to be believable at such a harrowing time in Europe's history; however, we are talking about a time period where truth was stranger than fiction. A quality production and thoroughly researched, “Exodus to Shanghai” delivers a fresh recipe to the WWII genre weaving live song performances of the era (I.e."Bei Mir Bist Du Schön" and various American Jazz numbers) throughout. The film calls to mind others unforgettable films of the same genre- “Swing Kids” for its tribute to the music of the time, “Schindler's List” for the heroic deed of thousands of Jews being saved by a few unsung heroes, “Inglorious Basterds” for its underlying premise that “A Good Nazi is a Dead Nazi”; further, the film is peppered with a Kung Fu scenes which give it an action beat that never allows a dull moment.

The film held its market premiere at the 2016 Berlinale EFM and has begun to sell worldwide to international distributors. A triumph in cinematography and production quality, the film is sure to be a hit to audiences around the world.

Vanessa McMahon