Quezon's Game (2018) - full transcript

After years of Japanese rule,

U.S. troops arrive
in the Philippines.

With General Douglas MacArthur
vowing to free the Commonwealth

from the Japanese invaders.

Meanwhile, as U.S. forces
push further into Europe,

the German quest for world
domination begins to unravel.

The Nazi war machine
has been uprooted

in North Africa and Italy,

and its European neighbors
have been liberated

from their tyrannical overlords

for the first time
in half a decade.



But this liberation
came hand in hand

with a shocking discovery.

Scattered across
German-occupied Europe

are over 42,000 ghettos,

detention centers and,
most disturbingly, death camps.

Even the battle-hardened
allied soldiers couldn't believe

the incredible horrors
these poor souls had to endure.

Reports indicate
that thousands of bodies

were discovered at each site,
leading experts to believe

that the death toll
has reached over 6 million.

As if the thousands
found in unmarked graves

weren't enough
to turn your stomach,

even more bodies were found
in huge furnaces,

as shown in this
demonstrational footage



which was smuggled out
of the death camps

of Dachau, Germany.

No further proof is needed

to condemn
these beastly Nazi cowards

than the damning films
shown here.

This film reels
will no doubt act as evidence

in the prosecution of the devils
that were once in-charge

of terrible places such as this.

We can only thank
our lucky stars

that President Roosevelt

has dedicated
the United States military

to freeing Europe
from Hitler's terrible reign.

Could I have done more?

Stop!

Don't move!

Turn around!

Hail Hitler!

Ambassador!

Forgive me, gentlemen.

I was rushing home
to beat curfew,

and I've never left
the Consulate so late before.

I seem to have lost my bearings
in the darkness.

Would you, gentlemen, be so kind
as to walk me home?

Yes.

Of course, Ambassador Feng-Shan.

Idiot!

It's open.

A telegram for Mr. Alex Frieder.

Yeah, I'm Alex.

Oh, wait.

Thank you.

Alex, what is it?

What if this isn't
from Feng-Shan,

what if...

what if this is a trap?

It specifically says
not to contact him

or anyone else in Austria.

Why would it be a trap?

So this is real?

Yeah, Herb, it's real.

What are we going to do?

Excuse me...

I'm looking for my husband.

You don't know where he is?

Why? Where is he exactly?

Oh.

Look at the time!

I've got to be
in another meeting.

Me too.

Sergio...

What aren't you telling me?

The President said
he's going to Pampanga...

to meet up with...

Governor Abad Santos.

Oh, Consul General.

I'm afraid you caught me
on the way out.

I'm sorry
for the unexpected visit, Paul,

but I'm afraid
I have a rather urgent matter

to bring to your attention.

Whatever you say to me now

will likely reach my wife
at some point.

Earlier this month,

the German Embassy requested
a new Chief of Security.

Mr. Ebner.

He arrived this morning.

I presume there's more to it
than that.

Man arrived at the airport
in full SS uniform.

Well, that's not illegal.

Distasteful, maybe.

But illegal, no.

This is alarming, Paul!

We have Nazis on our soil
for God's sake!

I hate to remind you,
Mr. Cartwright,

but America has its own
Nazi party.

And frankly,

Americans in Nazi uniform
alarm me much more.

But thank you
for your notification.

But if this Mr. Ebner is a spy,

he would arrive in plainclothes.

I don't think this is anything
to be too alarmed about.

But just in case,

you can mention it
to security to keep an eye out.

What an unpleasant man!

- Nazis?
- Nazis!

Technically, dear,
they're not our enemy,

no matter how much we hate
those sons of bitches.

Jose!

Please bring the car around.

We'll be going
to Hotel de Oriente.

I've been looking for you
all afternoon.

Where have you been?

I left Manila with Apolonio.

Why?

To meet up with Pedro
to discuss some things.

What things?

Things like why he wants
to kill you?

Are you crazy?

This is Pedro.
He wouldn't hurt me.

He is a friend, you know that!

And besides, you should
have seen the faces of his men

when I confronted them
about the rumors.

- You confronted his men?
- Hmm-mm.

My god!

Don't worry,
they're on my side now.

Manuel.

Oh okay, I promise you.

The governor and I
have sorted it out.

The farmers are appeased.

And look, I even made it
just in time for tonight!

You should have told me
where you were going.

What for? So that you'd worry?

Manuel!

I am your wife.

It's natural for me to worry.

Stop calling me "Manuel!"

You only do that
when you're angry at me!

That's because
I'm angry at you, Manuel!

Don't be angry!

Look, see, I'm sorry.

I'm fine!

Let's just enjoy tonight.

There's plenty to celebrate.

My love...

Promise me this...

From now on, no more secrets.

I'd rather worry about you
all day

than be angry at you all night.

It will be so, my queen.

Now come,

we cannot be late. Not tonight!

Do I really have to go?

You know I don't like
these things.

Come, come. It'll be fun.

Kathleen and Mamie
will be there,

and you can tell them
how stupid your husband is.

Hmm-mm.

But handsome!

Lovely.

Taxi!

Hotel de Oriente.

This is some shindig!

I wonder what
the President has planned.

Well,
with an audience like this,

it's bound to be good.

This man loves the spotlight
so much, I swear...

if he wasn't a politician,
he'd be a movie star.

Mr. Vice President!

I heard you're heading
stateside soon.

That we are, Colonel.

Well, if you speak
with Roosevelt,

tell him to get me off my ass
and into a tank!

I would love to, Ike, but...

I suppose I will have
my hands full

trying to convince him
to lower our excise tax.

Good luck with that.

If anyone can win over
those American legislators,

it is Sergio Osmeña!

Thank you, Mr. President.

You've got a battle up ahead.

But I made sure
he's got a good strategy

to win them over.

Just like I did 4 years ago
when I secured our independence.

Shall we, gentlemen?

Thank you!

Ladies and gentlemen,
put your hands together

for the President
of the Philippines,

Manuel Quezon!

Ladies and gentlemen,

thank you for your
precious time.

I am humbled that you could
join me in unveiling to you

a project that is dear
to my heart.

May I present,

the new capital city
of the Philippines,

Balintawak!

Mr. President!

Mr. President, that's great!

But it would be even greater
if we can call it Quezon City!

Ramos is right, Mr. President.

A remarkable place deserves
an equally remarkable name!

To Quezon City...

new capital of soon-to-be
independent Philippines.

Cheers!

If you insist.

Now you, Assemblymen,
can name it whatever you want.

Just leave the Act on my desk
once you pass it.

I'll do the signing…

That's if I don't forget.

Congratulations, Mr. President!

Looks like a fine city.

Thank you, Colonel.

Could you step outside?

There's something
I've been wanting to ask you.

Of course.

Mr. Vice President.

Sir!

Was that alright?

What's alright, Ramos?

Ah yes, yes, yes,
it's fine, it's fine.

Don't worry. We'll discuss it.

- See you.
- Yeah.

You know, Balintawak City does
sound like a dignified name.

But as a country bumpkin
from the South,

I must admit that Quezon City

does roll off the tongue
a whole lot easier.

Well.

Although, Balintawak
does have a less...

how shall we say,
egotistical ring to it?

Son of a gun!

Ike, I'd like you to be
the first official

Chief of Police
for the new capital.

Manuel...

You've been very kind to me
and Mamie.

- Hmm-mm.
- And I'd be honored, but...

my duty is with America,

and that will always be
my first priority.

I'm also hoping
to be called back

for the attack on Germany soon.

Roosevelt just signed

the three Neutrality Acts
with Hitler, Ike.

The man has no stomach for war.

Oh we might not have a choice.

We can't be cowering behind

this Neutrality doohickey
much longer.

If Germany doesn't light a fire
under our ass,

the Japs surely will.

Well that's precisely why

you would've been the perfect
Chief of Police, Ike.

Brave men of your caliber
are rare nowadays.

Well, I might not end up
as your Chief of Police,

but I am still
your Military Advisor,

and if you want my advice,

keep your guard up!

I know Roosevelt is confident
that the Japs won't dare invade.

But mark my words, Manuel,

they're coming.

That's why you're here,
isn't it?

To protect us?

Unless we're in Europe.

Fighting Hitler.

Hello, everyone! Good evening!

Mr. President.

Vera.

Hotel de Oriente is honored

that you held your unveiling
here tonight.

Thank you so much.

No need to thank me, Vera.

It is always my pleasure
coming here.

And also, I have prepared
a bottle of scotch for you.

Your favorite.

- On the house.
- Oh.

What's your next song with Vera?

-It's gonna be...
-Play it!

Now!

Thank you very much, Miss.

That's my song.

Shameless bitch.

Sorry, darling?

Gentlemen...

cards?

Ah, I'll take three.

Cards, gentlemen.

Straight flush!

Hot damn!

Good one, Ike!

That's his second winning hand
in a row.

Well they don't call me

the poker wizard of Manila
for nothing.

Well, look who finally
showed up.

Hey boys, you missed my hand.

Gentlemen.

Have a seat.

Gentlemen,
can we speak with you?

Alone.

Alex, whatever you have to say
to me now

-would likely reach my wife...
-Paul!

Please! This is serious.

Kathleen, Mamie.

Why don't we move to that table
over there?

Herbert and I received
this telegram today.

This comes from Ho Feng-Shan,

a Chinese Consul
stationed in Austria.

He was the one that helped us
smuggle in the refugees

from Shanghai.

Alex, Herbert,

not trying to be suspicious
or anything,

but you're sure
this came from your man?

Alex, I'm not quite sure
what this means.

They want to exterminate
the Jews!

What Jews?

All of them.

All Jews?

It's unthinkable.

Is it?

It's no secret Hitler
wants to conquer the world,

and it's no secret he
doesn't want Jews in it either.

Maybe Cartwright was right.

Maybe there's more to this
SS officer than I thought.

SS officer?

Yes, the new Chief of Security
at the German Embassy

just arrived today.

The SS is here?

On the day
this telegram arrived?

Well, is that a coincidence?

Well, we'll have to verify
this information.

No! We need to get them out.

And bring them where?

Manuel,

if I can get them out,

will the Philippines
take them in?

Well I've already taken in
25 refugees

from Shanghai last year...

But there are so many more
that need our help!

Now more than ever.

How many refugees are we
talking about here, Alex?

As many as we can.

Hundreds. Maybe even thousands.

It depends on how many
other countries

the JDC can get to help.

We can raise the funds needed
to get the refugees out.

We need somewhere
for them to go.

From what I recall,

we're only allowed
500 foreigners each year.

I don't even know how many
of those we have left.

Well we can't sit around
and do nothing!

You wanted specialists
from Europe

for your new capital city
anyway.

I mean these people
aren't just refugees.

They're engineers, teachers,
scientists...

All we're asking
is for you to let them in.

Alex, Herb,
I know it's urgent. Alright.

I'll call for a meeting
with my Assembly

as soon as I can.

I can take in 25 easily,
but hundreds or thousands...

I can't approve
a number like that.

That's got to come
from Washington.

Manuel, you're the President
of the Philippines.

Either help us or don't.
These people are going to die!

Paul, surely there's something
we can do.

Alex,

now hold your horses.

There are quotas
that cannot be ignored.

To bring in that many refugees,

there will have to be a change
in the law.

Gentlemen,

thank you for your time.

Pardon me, gentleman.

I should probably go
talk to them.

What a day!

Here I was, about to celebrate

the unveiling of the new capital
with my friends,

instead, I get yelled at

for being a Chief of Staff
following the rules.

It's their people
that are suffering, Manuel.

I didn't say no, Ike.

I just said it would take time
to say yes.

Well time isn't something
they have a lot of.

Yes, I can relate with that.

Alright, alright, I'll talk
to them privately tomorrow.

♪ Work all day ♪

♪ For measly pay ♪

♪ But, baby, I got swing ♪

Take it away, boys.

What's wrong, my love?

Nothing.

What were you
talking about with Alex earlier?

Why couldn't we hear it?

It was disrespectful
to Kathleen and Mamie.

I'm sorry, my love,
but I can't tell you.

And why not?

Confidential.
You understand, right?

Just this afternoon,
you promised me

you would not keep things
from me anymore.

I'm not keeping things from you!

My god, I can't win with you.

Alright, fine!

Alex received a telegram
from Germany.

It seems Hitler wants to move
the Jews into these new camps.

Alex wants me to help them
escape Austria and Germany

and bring them here instead.

Well, the ghettos
are terrible places.

Would it not be better
for the Jews

if the Nazis were to keep them
at these facilities?

Not keep, Aurora.

Can we help?

It is not that simple.

We are talking about hundreds
and thousands of Jews here.

Those poor people,

you have to help them!

I need to consult
my Assembly first,

or else they'll accuse me
of deciding by myself.

You know that!

Thank you for telling me.

Where are you going, my love?

Why? I told you everything
you wanted to hear, right?

I don't want to sleep alone,
my love.

Why don't you call...

Vera?

Mr. President,
thank you so much!

Mommy.

Mommy!

Hmm?

Why are you sleeping here?

You fought with Dad again,
didn't you?

Is it because of Vera?

Not really.

I just used Vera as an excuse,
so I could sleep here.

This hut reminds me
of better times...

before we moved into the Palace.

You know, Baby...

Your father and I
didn't grow up rich.

My parents couldn't even
send me to school.

But if you ask me,

we were very happy then,

even though it was difficult.

That's why when your father
is done with his duties here...

We want to return
to a simple life.

We'll move to the fields
in Marikina.

No servants,

no bodyguards.

No chefs.

Just family.

Would that bother you, my dear?

No, Mom.

Come in!

Welcome, Commander Ebner!

Thank you, Ambassador Kaiser.

Hail Hitler!

First things first.

This is an American Commonwealth

so I require all my employees
to speak English

as a courtesy.

Can you speak English,
Commander?

Adequately.

I'm sure that was specified
in my references.

Ah I haven't bothered
to read your file.

It was not me that picked you
for this job,

that was High Command.

I had no say in it.

And also,

there's no need to wear
full uniform in this heat.

Just something...

Thank you, Ambassador Kaiser,

but I'm quite comfortable
in my uniform.

May I ask why this Embassy
is flying the Imperial flag,

rather than the Swastika?

This is the Embassy of Germany,
Mr. Ebner, not the Nazi party.

The Nazi party is Germany now.

All government buildings
have flown the Swastika

since 1935.

I'm somewhat disappointed

to find that this embassy
has been insubordinate

for over three years.

Major Commander,
please forgive me.

Obviously there has been
some sort of misunderstanding.

Clearly.

Would you like me
to personally ensure

that these flags are changed
by the end of the day?

I'll take care of it...

today.

Excellent.

Oh, and one more thing...

This country may be
an American Commonwealth,

but this consulate
is German soil.

Remember that,
Ambassador Kaiser.

Hail Hitler!

Hail Hitler!

Freaking Nazis!

What are you doing?

Packing.

You're going back to Cincinnati?

Nope!

- Well, then where are you going?
- Nowhere!

Well, then why are all
your things in suitcases?

They're not,
and these are your things.

What are you talking about?

I'm sending you home, Herb.

There's Nazis all over Europe,
Japs all over the Pacific...

I mean now...
Now there's a goddamn SS officer

just around the corner!

And face it, Herbert,

America is the only safe place
in the world right now!

Tell the rest of the family
what's going on,

and not to come over
until it's all sorted out.

I can't just leave you here!

I need you to get word
to the JDC

so we can raise the funds
for the refugees!

We need transportation,
accommodation, everything!

Then why the hell
don't we both just go?!

I have to convince Manny
to help us.

Well, then why don't you go,
and I'll stay!

Stop. Come on,
don't argue with me.

Your wife is expecting you home
in 16 days, Herb!

What am I gonna tell her
when I come home instead of you?

What would you tell her?

It's your turn
to head back anyway.

You'll just be a couple
of weeks early, that's all!

Now take the next boat
out of here.

I booked your tickets.
You're ready to go.

Did you pack the…

Yup, everything's here.

Well, look, there's bound to be
something that you missed

and whatever it is, you better
bring it back in Cincinnati,

- you understand?
- I will.

I mean, go.
We don't have time to argue.

Your boat...
Your boat leaves in two hours.

- Don't do anything stupid.
- No promises.

- And keep kosher.
- No promises.

I'm coming with you, schmuck!

Come on!

On the 9th of November,

the year of our Lord, 1938,

violence against the Jews
broke out across the Reich.

In just two days,
over 250 synagogues were burned,

and over 7,000 Jewish
businesses,

hospitals, cemeteries,
and schools were looted.

Dozens of Jews were killed.

This was Kristallnacht,
the "Night of Broken Glass,"

so named after the shards
of shop windows

that littered the streets
in its wake.

Following this display
of violence,

the German government sought
to unload its Jewish problem

onto other countries.

The German transatlantic liner,
the St. Louis,

sailed from Hamburg, Germany
to Havana, Cuba.

Aboard were 937 Jews

who were all turned away
from the United States

and finally, Canada

before we sent them
right on back to Germany.

No, thank you, Mr. Hitler,

you solve your own
Jewish problem.

Can you believe
both America and Canada

turned them away?

Osmeña, Roxas.

I've just wrapped things up
with Apolonio here.

Have you read
what Emilio Aguinaldo

had to say about me
in the papers today?

Not yet,
but let me guess...

He said that
you're the greatest President

in Philippine history?

Oh there, see.

When that day comes,

crows will turn white
and storks will turn black.

He sure has a lot of time
on his hands.

He sure has, Roxas.

Mr. President,
this is my mission.

This is what I will present to
the U.S. Congress and Roosevelt

when I get to Washington.

What do you think?

Sergio, I have to be honest
with you.

I've been keeping my hand
close to my chest

but here's the real play.

You're not going to the U.S.
to work out the excise tax.

I want you to try to convince
the U.S. Congress

to readjust our planned
independence date.

Mr. President...

That's not on the agenda.

The Americans won't like that.

How will we explain this
to them?

The minute you explain,
you lose the game, Roxas.

Mr. President, our independence
is already secured.

You're right, Sergio,
but 1946 is a long way away.

Some of us here
may not be around that long.

I'll try.

I'm not promising, but I'll try.

But, Mr. President...

My priority is still
the lowering of our excise tax.

I understand, Sergio.
Thank you.

However, I'm requesting

that you prioritize
our independence.

We'll meet again next week,
gentlemen.

Why did I assume
I could find you anywhere else?

Oh, Cartwright!
Come, take a seat.

I thought we'd be meeting
in your office.

This is my office.

What's the point in governing
a tropical island paradise

if you're cooped up indoors
all day?

Cartwright, there's a matter
of some delicacy

I need to discuss with you.

How much of
our immigration visa quota

do we have left up to,
say, May of next year?

Oh we haven't issued
many of those.

I can find out
how many we have left.

Off the top of my head about...

Two hundred.

High Commissioner,
what's this about?

Are you expecting an influx
of immigrants or something?

No, no, Cartwright.
I was just wondering.

Hm?

Have a cigar.

They just arrived from Cuba
this morning.

Oh, lovely!

Yes, what is it?

I am looking for Alex.
Is he around?

He just stepped out.
He should be back soon...

Mr. President!

I heard that you sometimes visit

but I didn't know
you would be here today!

It was unannounced,
no need to worry.

Are you
the Frieders' accountant?

Bookkeeper.

I was supposed to have
a meeting with Alex but...

Alex is seeing his brother
off to Cincinnati as we speak.

Such short notice.

Yeah, apparently
something urgent came up.

Well, alright then.

In that case,
I'll see him some other time.

- Good day!
- Uh...

Excuse me sir, but...

I never got to properly
thank you for…

Helping me and the other
refugees from Shanghai.

It's good to finally meet you,
Mister...

Blumenthal.
Leo Blumenthal.

It's good to see you
safe and sound.

More or less, sir.

Did you get that
during your escape?

Uh, no. This is, uh…

This is from a firing squad.

Firing squad?

You were sentenced to death?

By Nazis, yes.

But how did you survive?

Oh, well, when the bullet
went through my cheek,

I was paralyzed by shock.

I could hear what was going on
around me but I couldn't move.

I thought maybe
that's what death was.

I kept thinking I was dead
even when they...

Threw us into a hole.

The first thing I saw
when I opened my eyes

was my sister's face.

Isn't it strange how people look
when they are dead?

They look like dolls.

Like there was never any life
in them at all.

So I waited for night.

I climbed out.

Eventually I made it
to Shanghai.

I'm sorry...

Sometimes it just all comes back
to me at once and I..

I forget myself.

It's alright.

Perhaps it was something
I needed to hear.

One more question,
Mr. Blumenthal.

Why was your family
sentenced to death?

To be honest, Mr. President...

We were never told.

Alright, well.

It was nice to meet you,
Mr. Blumenthal.

Now that's someone I can
truly call Man of the Year!

Oh, for heaven's sakes!

It's just a cover story!

You're placing the cart
before the horse!

I haven't been named
Man of the Year.

Yet!

You certainly deserve it though.

There's so many
more deserving than I.

Like Manuel here, for instance.
Or you, Ike!

God knows you have done
your country service,

above and beyond
the call of duty.

Well, you know what MacArthur

told me Roosevelt
said about you?

He said that you are too young,
too honest,

and too good-looking
to become president.

Well, he forgot to say
too humble!

The man used three compliments
to insult you.

Yes, I don't know whether
to be honored or outraged.

But too young? He must have
said it a while ago.

Alex, I'm glad
you could join us.

I apologize for what happened
at the Hotel de Oriente.

No, Manuel, no.
I'm sorry.

I let my emotions
get the best of me.

That's alright, no harm done.

Mamie, Aurora.

I think they're going to talk
about that thing

that they can't discuss
in front of us.

So, let's adjourn.

Besides, we'll be able to play
a proper game of poker.

Anyway, I had a good think about
what you and Herbert asked for.

Alex, let's do it.

Let's bring in
those Jewish refugees

- as soon as possible.
- Thank you, Manuel!

Thank you so much.

Alex...

I don't mean to discourage you,

but the Consul General
informed me earlier that there's

only around 200 visas left
to give for this year.

That means Manuel
is going to really have

to push the State Department
for ten times more than that.

I can hear a 'but' in there.

But...

The State Department's
not the most congenial bunch

at the post.

Sadly, they're a bunch
of goddamned anti-Semites.

No doubt this going to ruffle
some feathers in Washington,

but I truly believe
this is the right thing to do.

I'm going to bring
those refugees to safety, Alex,

as many as I can.

But before we can plan this out,

we need to figure out
who we can bring here exactly.

A list of refugees' names
is imperative.

We cannot apply for these visas

if we don't have the names
of the people applying.

How do we get a list
of refugees' names

without the Germans
getting suspicious?

We do it right in front
of their noses.

Post a classified ad
in their papers

inviting interested Jews

to migrate to the Philippines
to work as doctors,

architects, engineers, who can...
How shall we say it...

boost the economy
of a newly formed nation?

Nothing spurious about it.

The Nazis won't suspect a thing.

Alex, you have contact to
the European press, am I right?

Yeah, I can do that.

I know a German journalist
stationed here

who can put a classified ad
in the German papers.

Next on the agenda, visas.

We need to apply
for as many as possible. Paul?

Hell! We'll be hog-tied
if we try to write

an official requisition
without knowing

how many visas we'll need.

But at least I can ascertain
how many

Washington will be willing
to grant.

Dwight, you're my ace.

A lot of the Americans
we're dealing with here

are military men.

Can you put the screws on them?

I can contact our old friend,
MacArthur.

Try and get his support.

Then it's settled.

Gentlemen...

I think Hitler has taken enough
from the world, don't you?

What do you say we take
something from Hitler?

This is a surprise, gentlemen.
Good morning to you!

A surprise?

Perhaps you forgot
that you called this meeting.

Excuse me, sir.
I'll go ahead.

Thank you, Apolonio.

Osmeña, Roxas, you're right.

I'm the one who called
for this meeting

but something urgent came up.

It slipped my mind.
I'm sorry.

Last week, didn't you tell us

how important expediting
our independence is?

In that case, Mr. President,
what is this "important" matter?

I received a telegram
some time ago

about Hitler's plan to place
all Jews into these new camps.

Alex says these are death camps.

I've agreed to help them.

I'm coordinating
with Dwight and Paul

to bring them here
as soon as possible.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!

Not to belittle the Jews, but...

Should the Filipinos
be concerned about this?

Osmeña, the Jews
are also children of God

who need as much help
as any Filipino.

That's very noble of you,
Mr. President.

But let me remind you

that Aguinaldo doesn't need
any more ammunition against us

in the upcoming elections!

This isn't about winning votes,
Roxas.

This is about people's lives.

We're not opposing you, Manuel.

We just want you
to think this through.

Gentlemen,
I've made my decision.

Excuse me, sir.
Do you have a reservation?

No, I'm meeting a friend.

Please forgive me, sir.
This is the German Club.

I know, I eat here all the time.

I was invited by a Mr. Miller.

Ah, yes, Mr. Miller.

May I have your name please,
sir?

Frieder. Alex Frieder.

Ah, yes, Mr. Frieder.

Could you please wait outside?

Okay!

I'm sorry, sir.
Outside the restaurant.

Alex!

I'm sorry, I only found out
when I got here.

What's going on?

I don't know.
Something has spooked them.

Spooked them?

Apparently, they've rejected
few members already for being...

Well...

Jewish?

Like I said, I only found out
when I got here.

So...

So, I hear you have
a scoop for me?

Nope, not a scoop.

It's an ad.

An ad?

It's for German newspapers.

President Quezon
feels the country

could use more specialists
who were trained abroad.

If Jews aren't welcome
in Germany,

why not come here, right?

It says here,
if you're interested,

to send a telegram
with your name and occupation.

Alex, you know as well as I do

that sending a telegram
is not going to be easy

for a Jew in Europe.

We'll just have to take the best
we can get, I suppose.

If this is on behalf
of the President...

Why do you need me?

Why doesn't the Philippine
government place the ad?

You want a scoop?

Governor McNutt is a terrible,
terrible poker player.

That's not a scoop!

Alright.

Dwight Eisenhower.

He only shaves his head
because he's going bald.

Well that's...

Thank you.

Excuse me.

- Hail Hitler!
- Hail Hitler!

Do you think he'll hear you out?

Well...

The man's never had a problem

listening to
or seeing reason before.

He was the only one on my side

when I warned Washington
about the Japs.

If he's so amicable,
then why do you seem so worried?

I said he know how to listen.

I never said he was amicable.

General MacArthur is…
old fashioned.

America will always come first
to him.

Sounds familiar.

Is something wrong, dear?

Do you remember...

before we shipped out
to Panama...

I thought we agreed
we're never going

- to speak about that.
- I said...

Before we shipped out to Panama.

Do you remember
what you told me?

I remember asking you
to come with me.

And you were the one that said
you wanted to stay.

And when I did, you said,

"I'm sorry, Mamie, but America
will have to come first.

"If you want to be my wife,

you're going to have
to accept that."

When the chips are down,
Mamie...

The only thing that a country
can depend upon

are its soldiers.

When you become a soldier,

you have to honor that trust.

Sounds a bit like
selling your soul.

It's my life that America needs,
Mamie.

My soul?

That belongs to you.

- Oh! Good afternoon, General!
- Ma'am.

Colonel Eisenhower,
you wanted to see me?

General MacArthur, sir.

Won't you excuse us, dear?

New look?

I'm in retirement.

So, what is it, Colonel?

The natives giving you
trouble again?

No, not at all, General.

Actually,
I came to ask you a favor.

What can I do for you, Colonel?

Well...

We were playing poker
last night,

and the President mentioned
that he wants to offer residency

and working permits to a number
of Austrian and German Jews

that can still get out
of Europe.

But he might need some help
convincing Washington

to open U.S. immigration
restrictions.

And I was wondering

if you might know someone
in a position to help.

You've gotta be kidding me,
Eisenhower!

What in God's name
gave you the idea

that Washington would entertain
this bullshit even for a second?

You're not the only person
to say this, General.

I bet I'm not!

Now listen, Colonel...

Do you know how many Japs

are living right here
in the Philippines?

More than none,
which is too many.

You think those Japs
are gonna be on our side

when the rest of them invade?

Now, you want to bring in
Krauts too?

The Philippines has less than
a decade left

of American rule, General.

Don't you think the President
should have a say

on who he can or can't bring
into the country

when that time comes?

Oh, please, Colonel.

We both know that the minute
we ship out of here,

they'll be begging us
to save them from the Japs.

Look, I've known Quezon
since we were boys.

He's always had
one glaring weakness.

He has too much faith
in his own people.

Thank you for your time,
General.

Enjoy your retirement.

And shave that beard!

And listen, Colonel...

Let me give you some advice.

Let this one go.

You've got a spotless record
as a soldier.

Don't let Manny ruin it.

General.

Oh, Manuel, forgive me.

I don't mean to snub you.

It's just that I have
all these reports

to finish up by midnight
tonight,

so I can send them to Roosevelt
by morning tomorrow.

That's alright, Paul.

I should be the one
to apologize,

barging in on you like this
when you're obviously busy.

Tell me, my friend...

What's on your mind?

Paul, I'm worried our
refugee plan is going to hurt

the Vice President's mission
in Washington.

What do you think?

Will it make things difficult
for Sergio?

You know those guys
better than I do in Washington.

Do you think they'll
shut Sergio off

if they hear about the Jews?

Well, Manuel,
I'll be honest with you.

Yes. Definitely Congress
is gonna have a field day

with your Vice President
over this.

Washington's teeming
with anti-Semites.

Hell! Even State Department's
got a bigot running it!

But let's not overlook the fact

that there's lots of good guys
in Congress, too.

Men who believe in our cause.

And I'm sure,
once Osmeña gets there,

they'll support him all the way.

Mr. President.

Paul, the Secretary of State

has sent me word
that President Quezon here

contacted President Roosevelt's
office,

asking for asylum for thousands
of Jewish refugees.

Here in Manila?

Is this true?!

Yes, Mr. Cartwright.
It's true.

Well, I'll be damned!

Commissioner,

as a diplomat,
you should know firsthand

that the State Department
will not accept foreigners

beyond immigration's quota!

Even President Roosevelt
confirms that!

Well, thank you for the
notification, Consul General.

But I'll call the President
myself to explain.

And I'm positive
he'll hear us out.

I don't know why you're wasting
your time on this, Paul.

Bringing in hundreds of Jews

is a serious threat
to our national security!

I mean Jews, Paul?
Really?

For God's sake,

they're worse than Niggers!

Papa?

Are you okay?

Of course.

Why shouldn't I be?

Is there something on your mind?

I am the President.

There's always plenty of things
on my mind.

Is this about the refugees?

How'd you hear about that?

Well,

the last time I saw Uncle Alex
this stressed

was when you when you helped
those people in Shanghai.

Are they asking you
to help a lot more?

Much more than I know how.

Papa...

I know that times
are hard right now.

And that there are a lot
of people in need...

But there's so much more
for you to worry about.

Why does it have to be you?

It doesn't have to be me.

Then why?

Well, the question is not...

why I choose to help.

But rather,
why no one else will.

Sorry to interrupt.

- Mr. President.
- Alex.

What can I do for you?

I've got them.

The telegrams from everyone
in the ghettos

who wants to come
to the Philippines.

- I've got them!
- Excellent! Let's see it.

They're in the car.

I'll need help carrying them up.

Holy cow!

Ten thousand names!

How do we even...

I mean,
I want to help them all, Alex.

But how will I justify
to the State Department

all those visas
for just this year alone?

Herbert and I talked to the JDC.

They're still behind the plan
a hundred percent.

They're ready to wire us
some money

as soon as we give them
the go signal.

That will help, Alex.

But it still doesn't give us
a clear solution

for that amount of visas.

Alright, let's just say
that we figure out a way

to get 10,000 visas.

We have other problems,
gentlemen.

And the devil's in the details.

Ten thousand names

means we need to get
10,000 exit permits

from the Nazis.

Jews can't travel freely
in Nazi territory.

Besides the exit permits,

they'll need
10,000 travel clearances.

But how the hell are we going
to get 10,000 travel clearances

from the devil himself?

We'll ask the
German ambassador, Kaiser.

And you expect him
to hand them to you?

The way I see it,
they are trying

to get rid of the Jews,

and we want to take them in

so it may make sense
to give them travel papers.

Well, how well do you know him?
Is he a reasonable man?

Well, he's not a Nazi.

He's from the old school.

But he won't do us a favor

unless we give him
something in return.

So, what are you saying?
He'll sell us those papers?

He might if we have something
to sell.

I mean, I imagined
the Nazi party is keeping

a sharp eye on everything
that goes on at the Embassy

now that the SS is here.

So we got to figure out how
to get him outside the Embassy

and speak to him alone,

without sparking the interest
of the SS.

But how?

We lure him out of his lair.

And into a ball.

A presidential ball.

He's here!

Who invited the Nazi?

Dear god! I'm sorry, Manuel.
I can't be here.

Nonsense, you belong here
like anyone else, Alex.

Besides, you're
my personal guest.

Ambassador!

Mr. President!

I would like for you
to meet our new

Chief of Security
at the Embassy,

Mr. Ebner.

Mr. Ebner, sir,
welcome to the Philippines!

Thank you, Mr. Quezon.

It. Col. Eisenhower.

Delighted to meet you.

I am a big admirer of your
publications on tank warfare.

I see you came in your
full uniform, Mr. Ebner.

As did you, Colonel.

A military man shouldn't
be afraid of showing

where his allegiances lie,

don't you think?

Ah, and let me guess,

you must be the cigar magnate,

Mr. Herbert Frieder?

Alexander.

Oh. My apologies, Mr. Frieder.

I've heard nothing
but compliments

about your fine cigars.

It's a shame that
I'd never put anything

made by a Jew's hands
in my mouth.

Then, it's clearly your loss,
Mr. Ebner.

To the champagne room,
gentlemen.

Mr. Ebner, do you like poker?
Jazz?

Not particularly, Mr. Quezon.

Ah, you might like this.

This is how we entertain
our special guests,

like yourself.

♪ I keep on dreaming ♪

♪ A night easy and free ♪

♪ Now that I'm leaving ♪

♪ Baby, won't you dance
With me? ♪

Ambassador Kaiser,
how about a game of poker?

We haven't played in a while.

Scotch, gentlemen?

- Pour me, please.
- Indeed.

♪ I keep on dreaming ♪

♪ A night easy and free ♪

He'll never be able
to tell him now.

That Nazi can hear everything.

♪ Baby, won't you dance
With me? ♪

Mr. Ebner,
are you a gambling man?

As much as I can help it,
Mr. President,

I try to avoid taking
unnecessary risks.

Dear, where are you going?

Mr. Ebner, would you like
to take this dance with me?

Gentlemen.

Ambassador.

So, Mr. Ebner, how are you
finding Manila so far?

Do you like it?

It's okay, Ms. Quezon.

I'm not used to the humidity
just yet.

Ambassador Kaiser,
there's something

I'd like to offer you
in exchange

for some consular services
from your good office.

Ah. And what might
these consular services be?

Exit permits,
for some professionals

I plan to bring here
to my country.

Exit permits?

Those can be costly,
Mr. President.

Depending on who they are for.

My previous station was
very crowded, not like here.

Not only with Germans,

but also with Untermenschen.

"Untermenschen"?

My apologies.
Sometimes I forget myself.

It's a German word
which means, "less than human."

What I have to offer
for these exit permits

has a higher value
than mere currency.

Let's up the stakes.

Some land I used to own
in Pampanga, six hectares.

"Used to own"?

It has your name on it.

All you have to do
is put it in your pocket,

and all I ask is you grant us
10,000 exit permits.

So you don't like being around
those kinds of people?

On the contrary,

I find them
exceedingly interesting.

Heretical culture is somewhat
of a fascination of mine.

If that's the case, then,

why do you deny them
the same rights as you?

Ms. Quezon, I enjoy
spending time with my dogs,

but I wouldn't want them
running my bank now, would I?

Thank you for the dance, Miss.

Mr. President, thank you
for your generosity,

but the German Embassy
cannot accept bribes.

I will, however, grant
your request for exit papers.

In fact, you may even
be doing us a favor.

We've been trying to get rid
of them for the longest time.

But not even America took them

when we were happy
to give them before.

I guess, now,
the land of the free

has finally changed her mind.

Take as many as you want,
Mr. Quezon.

Hitler would be glad to dispose
of them this way.

After all, paper is cheaper
than bullets.

Oh, and by the way,

I don't think this land
will be yours

to give away
for very much longer,

Mr. President.

Hail Hitler!

Damn it!

Son of a gun!

What was on that paper?

Land, in exchange
for exit papers.

And he took it?

No, but he's giving me
the exit papers nonetheless.

Mr. President, there are
several reporters up there.

If anybody spotted
or overheard you

making a deal with the Germans,

believe me, this is going to be
all over the papers tomorrow!

Manuel, why are you doing this?

Why?

Because I can't turn
a blind eye, Sergio.

I'm not going to sit around

and wait for another country
to do something.

I'm not going turn
away those in need

when I should have
the power to save them!

I am not like Roosevelt!

This is not a pissing contest!

Politics has always been
a pissing contest!

I can't ignore the refugees'
cry for help, Sergio.

No one is hearing them out.

I can't turn away,
not this time!

Well then, do me a favor.

Save some of that bravado
for our Filipino peasants

who need your service just
as much as those refugees do!

Our people have rights, Sergio.

The Jews do not.

Our people need my help
to prosper,

but the Jews need my help
to escape slavery,

torture,

execution!

Why can't you understand this?

When you asked me
to run with you,

I took you at your word.

No more dealing on your own!

No more bypassing others.

No more “me above party.”

When you dealt with a Nazi
behind our backs,

it looks like you just lost
your closest ally!

Damn it!

When do you plan to tell me
that your tuberculosis is back?

It's not that bad.

Don't worry about it.
I can handle this.

It's alright.

I can handle this.
Don't worry about it.

Stop lying to me.

I've got things to do.

Important things
and I cannot stop.

And what about your health?

You can't rescue anyone

when you are already
six feet under.

Manuel, you promised.

No more secrets.

I don't want a dead husband.

You're seeing a doctor.

That is not a request!

Do you understand
what I'm telling you?

I do.

I was the one who urged you
to help these people, remember?

But we are talking
about your life, Manuel.

Do you understand me?

I understand.
I'll go see a doctor.

-Well you better do it...
-Don't worry about it!

I'm fine.

It's fine.

Quezon has lost his mind.

Making the Philippines
an orphanage!

An orphanage.

And for what?

Don't we have enough
problems here?

Now, he wants to add more!

And what about
the immigration quota?

Is he going to bypass that, too?

Word has already
reached Washington,

and even they can't believe it.

Manuel says he can't even give
our farmers their own lands,

yet now, he's trying to give
our lands to foreigners?

Aguinaldo.

What are you doing here?

I warned you, Paul.

Cartwright.

Visas were rejected.

Vote wasn't even close.

You should have known better,
Paul.

Maybe I should have.

Look at all these people.

Architects, playwrights...

Look, we've got a couple here
who are physicists!

If you can just imagine...

Imagine what Germany could be
if it weren't for the Nazis.

You don't have to imagine it,
Alex.

That's what the Philippines
will be like

when we bring these people in.

Paul, just in time.
I was about to deal.

Have a seat.

- Are those the names?
- Yeah.

Yes, all 10,000 of them.

Is there something wrong, Paul?

Congress rejected
our requisition

for additional visas outright.

The vote wasn't even close.

So, what do we do?

Well, I still have the 210 left
that I could issue.

Two hundred and ten?

What about the other
10,000 names I've got?

What? Better luck next time?

Alex, we're doing
the best we can.

And who the hell do you think
is going to have to choose

which of the 10,000 live or die?
Huh?

How do I do that?

With alphabetical order?

“It's too bad your family died.

If only their last name began
with the letter A!”

Alex, we did everything
that we could possibly do.

So this is it then? Huh?

A Chinese man risks his life
for my people.

The President of the Philippines
gives us his own land.

Hell! Even the damn Germans
gave us the exit papers.

Now, here we are, after living
there my whole life,

it's the U.S. of A
that lets it all go to hell.

You know?

You know what's
the worst part is?

These people don't even know
what's coming.

They can't even make the most
of the time that they have left.

Excuse me. I need some air.

Ike, I don't have
much time left.

I know, Mr. President.

But we mustn't let this stop us.
There's always another solution.

I don't mean the Jews, Ike.

I'm talking about me.

I'm dying, Ike.

I'm heartbroken.
I don't know how else to put it.

Not for the dying itself.

But for what I'm going
to miss out when I'm gone.

Not seeing an independent
Philippines.

Not seeing my children grow up.

And not being there for Aurora.

Does your family know?

Just Aurora.

She doesn't know
how bad it is, though.

I've decided that the best
I could do with the time

I have left is to help
these people.

And I can't even help Alex
with those names.

We can still save the 210.

What about those
we leave behind?

Every name that Alex
crosses off that list

is going to die, Dwight.

It's never easy to decide
who lives or dies.

It's a burden that no man
should ever have to bear.

That's why in every
firing squad,

one of the guns is filled
with blanks,

so that no one person

has to take the blame
for the execution.

Ike, let's get back to Alex.

Manny,

thanks for letting me know.

Do me a favor, Ike.

Don't you tell anyone.

That burden should not
be yours to bear alone, Alex.

Thought I'd find you here.

You seem to spend more time here
than you do in your office.

Join me for some tea?

Ah no, not today. Thank you.

High Commissioner, I have news.

Secretary of State has phoned me

to let you know
that from now on,

he's taking charge
of the refugee problem.

U.S. consuls throughout Europe
have been informed that

all refugees have to contact
the Consul directly.

So he gets to decide
who comes in and who doesn't.

Damn it, Cartwright!
That's outrageous!

Those poor people can't even
get out of the ghettos,

let alone contact
U.S. consuls themselves!

Chief's orders.

Well, can I at least get
the 210 visas I have left?

My god, Paul! I can't believe
you still don't understand.

No more refugees!

Oh! And High Commissioner,

you might want to check this
with your Democrat friends.

Word's getting out
that there's no 'McNutt'

on the next presidential ticket.

Don't say I didn't warn you,
Paul.

- Yes?
- Mr. President,

I'm sorry for this.
I just got word.

I tried my very best
to make them understand.

But the Secretary of State
denied all visas.

Including the 210.

Manuel, once again,
I'm truly sorry.

Complete bed rest,
lots of fluids,

and he cannot be stressed.

When the President wakes up,
you have to tell him to rest.

He should not be working.

I'll tell him when he wakes up.

- Thank you, Doctor.
- No problem.

Doctor,
how's the President doing?

The President is having
a relapse of tuberculosis.

And I won't lie.

Patients who relapse,

they usually don't survive long.

Did you hear that?

No more working.

It's gone.

They took back
all of Paul's visas.

I did this.

Come on, Alex,
don't be ridiculous.

No, it's true!
I pushed him so far.

You didn't know.

Did you know, Ike?

As if the world hasn't already
gone to hell.

And it was all for nothing.

I mean, after everything we did,
everything we risked,

we've lost it all.

And we saved no one!

It's over.

It's over because
it nearly killed you.

Whether you got the visas
or not,

it's over for you
because you need to rest.

Sergio can take your place
temporarily.

No!

They'll ruin everything
I worked hard for.

I'll continue working in bed.

What the...

My love, my love...

They'll undo everything.

What makes you think Osmeña
will ruin everything?

He's your Vice President.

If he can't stand in for you,
what is he for?

Osmeña will...

Okay, no more politics.

Rest, my love, please.

You were right.

Aguinaldo is trying to use
the refugee issue

to gain favor
from our own party-mates.

I knew it!

Without a scapegoat,
this man has no chance.

But now…

I already told the President
this would happen.

There's more.

Aguinaldo knows that Roosevelt
is trying to amend

their Constitution
so he can run for a third term.

He suspects Quezon
is going to do the same.

I will tell the President that
he has to give up his crusade.

What if he doesn't?

You know, I will never
support Aguinaldo,

but maybe he's right.

Maybe what the Nacionalistas
need is a new leader.

You are such a stubborn idiot!

I will die of boredom.

I need to work
or I will lose my mind.

Stop working this very instant!

Lives are at stake here, Aurora.
I need to save these people!

That's enough!

I can't keep a brave face

in front of our children
anymore.

Do you know how afraid they get

every time they hear you cough?

Don't leave me a widow, Manuel.

I won't survive that.

My love.

Forgive me, my love.

I have been selfish.

I didn't realize

how much I've been hurting
you and the children.

I didn't realize that
you've been suffering silently.

And despite my stubbornness,

you have loved and supported
your stupid husband.

I don't have much time left.

But I can still do something
worthwhile with this time.

But you have already done
so much for your country.

You gave us our independence.

A city will be named after you.

They will build statues of you
all across the Philippines.

No, no, no…
that's not what I want.

No… maybe it used to be,
but not anymore! No.

I don't want to be
remembered like that.

I just want to be remembered

as someone who did something
when everyone did nothing.

Not for glory, but because
it was the right thing to do.

I don't want the Filipino people
to worship me.

I just want you all
to be proud of me.

Hmm?

Do you know why
I fell in love with you?

You have always had so much
faith in your people.

But every time
there's a battle up ahead,

you always think
that you have to face it alone.

But you're not alone.

You are the president
of the Filipino people, my love.

Don't just make them
proud of you.

Make them proud of themselves.

Gentlemen
of the National Assembly,

please accommodate my request

of appropriating the sum
of 150,000 pesos

for Vice President Osmeña's
mission to Washington.

As my special representative

to conduct trade
and negotiations

and other important matters,

it is important that he has
more than enough

for his travels.

Excuse me, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President!
That is very kind of you.

What's happening to you?

I'm not going to argue with you.

I'm here to talk
to you properly.

The party feels
that you are not concentrating

on the many issues
that they bring to the table.

They find you obstinate,

egotistic.

You do not prioritize
what is best for the country.

How many times
do I have to say it, Sergio?

For agrarian reform to work,
we have to change

the entire infrastructure
of the Philippines.

This isn't just about
agrarian reform, Mr. President!

No. It's about Emilio Aguinaldo.
Am I right?

So you know?

So this was my mission
all this time?

You know that Washington

will not renegotiate
our independence.

So you just decided

that you are going
to pressure Congress

so that they will keep
Roosevelt in office,

and you'll be in office, too!

I don't want Roosevelt
in office.

I wanted Paul McNutt
in office, Sergio.

But that's not the reason.

Oh, enlighten me.

When you go to the White House,
use their toilet.

What?

Use their toilet, Osmeña,
for your countrymen.

Are you joking?

You will see when you are there
in the Oval Office,

there is one there, but you are
not allowed to use it.

The guard will send you
all the way

to the staff corridors.

Opposite the kitchen,

you will see a toilet
that you can use.

On the front door
of that toilet,

there is a plaque that says,

"coloreds."

I know how the Americans
treat the Negroes,

but I am not a Negro.

Sergio, it doesn't says Negroes,

it says “coloreds,”

as in not white.

That's you, me, and every one
of your countrymen.

We are only allowed
in the White House

because we have
17 million votes behind us.

But go anywhere else
in Washington,

and a Filipino
is not even allowed to eat

in the same restaurant
as an American!

Even on our very own soil!

On Dewey Boulevard,

there's a sign on the door
to the Army-Navy Club that says,

"No dogs and Filipinos allowed."

Neither you or I
can remove that sign

unless we have our
independence, Sergio.

We may live under American rule,
but we are not like them.

Please, Sergio.

Help me with this.

Please.

You have my support,
Mr. President.

Take care of yourself.

You need to be in good health

when we finally get
our independence.

Gentlemen,
thank you for never backing down

on this fight for the Jews.

It seems that Washington
has backed us into a corner,

which leaves me no choice.

Tomorrow,
I will hold a press conference.

I will tell the Filipino people
what is going on,

not only in Germany,
but also in the U.S. Congress.

I'm sorry, Manuel.

But what do you hope
this will achieve?

It took my wife to knock
some sense into me, Alex,

to make me realize that
we've taken on this crusade

by ourselves.

A few men against
the apathy of the world.

Washington needs to realize
that there is an entire country

that will not stand
for their lack of action.

They need to hear thousands
of voices crying out,

“This is the Philippines!

With or without you,
we will stand against Hitler!”

Gentlemen,

I have a plan.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I have decided to reveal
to you and the Filipino people,

a matter of great injustice.

For years, my family

has personally protested

the treatment
of the Jewish people

under the Nazi regime.

I am here today to tell you

that this injustice
does not stop in Germany.

No one has outdone me
in giving due credit

to the government and the
people of the United States

for what they have done
in the Philippines.

But I cannot permit anyone
to say in my presence

that our people
have enjoyed greater freedom

under the
American administration,

or that our people will not
enjoy their freedom

under an
independent Philippines,

as much as they have enjoyed it
under the American flag.

And I will not,
in my conscience,

allow America to dictate to us

who we can or cannot
accept into our borders.

It is my hope,
and indeed my expectation,

that the people
of the Philippines

will have in the future
every reason to be glad

that when the time of need came,

their country was glad to extend

to a persecuted people
a hand of welcome.

It is true,
and I am proud of it,

that I once said,

"I would rather have
a government

"run like hell by Filipinos

than a government run like
heaven by any foreigner."

I said that once.

I say it again,

and I will always say it
as long as I live.

Citizens rally
in the Philippines

after a rousing speech

by Filipino President,
Manuel Quezon.

Men and women
from all walks of life

have taken to the streets
of Manila

in protest of its borders
being controlled

by the United States.

Strikes have broken out
all across the country

with many industries
refusing to open shop

until the matter is resolved.

But the bigger question lies
with the Filipino military,

America's largest force
across the Pacific Ocean.

Will the Philippines lay down
its arms in protest?

If so, what could this mean
for the war in Asia?

Only time will tell.

Your move, Washington.

Let's begin the inquiry.

Kindly state your name
and designation.

Dwight David Eisenhower,

Lieutenant Colonel
of the United States Army.

Paul Vories McNutt,

High Commissioner
to the Philippine Commonwealth.

Manuel L. Quezon,
President of the Philippines.

We'd like to thank
President Quezon

for agreeing to appear
at the hearing today.

As you, gentlemen, know,

the State Department
is quite concerned

by the recent rallies
by the Philippine people.

Colonel Eisenhower,
do you believe

that the recent rallies
of the Filipino people,

in any way,
threatens our Commonwealth?

Sir, I'm a firm believer
in freedom of speech.

And these Filipino people
ought to have the right...

Sir, please just answer
"yes or no"

and then you may expound.

Yes.

You may expound.

Oh.

I'm aware that the Filipinos

are a sentimental
and nationalistic people,

and the scouts and rangers
might sympathize

with their protesting fellowmen.

I surmise from your statement

that you feel that the rangers
and the scouts

may go against us?

Not against us, sir. But...

they could lay down their arms
in support of the protesters.

If I can ask?

Are the scouts
and the rangers aware

of what they
are protesting against?

Or is it just
a misguided nationalism,

and jumping on the bandwagon?

Nothing of the sort, sir.

These people know
what they're protesting against.

You want to let these islanders
tell us what to do?

Sir, I believe the way
to quell this whole situation

is to listen to what
the Filipinos...

Are you out
of your goddamned mind?!

Please, sir! Please! Please.

May I ask President Quezon
a question?

Go ahead.

Sir,
if Philippine Immigration Law

is changed in your favor,

where do you intend to build
the refugee camps?

Well I do not intend
to build any camps, Mr. Grishaw.

I do intend to build a town,

and not for refugees,

but for people with trades
and skills

that can benefit both
of our great nations.

My wife and I have pledged
our very own property

to this cause in Marikina.

I wish to say something.

Let the record state
Consul General Cartwright

wishes to make a statement.

You may proceed, Consul General.

Mark my words, gentlemen!

Once you let those Jews in here,

you won't be able
to keep them out of America.

Look,

there is a security issue here
that we must take into account,

and I'm not even talking
about the fact

that all these Jews
are also Germans.

Well, that is obviously
something we must not overlook.

No, gentlemen!

There is a deeper threat...
a cultural threat.

The threat to who we are.

It is a well-known fact
that it was the Jew

that introduced communism
into Eastern Europe.

Do we really want these people
with their warped mentality

get into the
United States of America

through the Philippines

and spreading their vile
ideology to our countrymen

in the same way
that the Jews of Hollywood

are even now poisoning
the minds of our children?

That's the real threat
that we face

if we continue to allow

more of these
commie Jews into America.

And they look like us.

How are you going
to segregate them

if you can't even
recognize them?

As I already said
to the High Commissioner before,

I simply do not understand

this overwhelming concern
for the Jews!

Consul General,

you keep ranting on
about vile ideology,

and yet you don't hear yourself!

Clearly, gentlemen,

all that the Filipino people
are yearning for

is to help fellow human beings
escape tyranny,

persecution,

prejudice,

hatred.

Be mindful, we Americans too,

broke free from
the shackles of tyranny

when back then Patrick Henry
cried out against England

and spoke those famous words:

"Give me liberty,
or give me death!"

Liberty...

that crucial, inalienable right,

symbolized by a grand lady
holding a torch

over New York Bay.

She's standing firmly
for freedom,

while disseminating her message
to the entire world:

"Give me your tired, your poor,
your huddled masses

yearning to breathe free."

Yes, we broke free
from a despotic kingdom,

and then opened our doors
to the dispossessed.

Gentlemen, let us renounce
hateful discord.

Let us lay aside bigotry.

Let us allow the people
of the Philippines

to carry out this unselfish,

most hospitable gesture

to open their doors
to the dispossessed,

and to then live...

live with liberty and justice
for all.

Alright, gentlemen,
cards on the table.

We're all politicians here.
We're not stupid.

We're all aware that
Commissioner McNutt here

is no longer on the next
presidential ticket,

which means that Roosevelt
is going to run again,

even if it means changing
the U.S. Constitution.

Why?
Because unless you do something

to please all the bigots
in your country,

like Mr. Cartwright here,

the same bigot population

will not vote for you
in the next election.

Well, think of it this way.

How many votes
do you think you'll lose

if an entire country cries out

that the Democratic Party
is an ally to the Nazis?

President Quezon,
with all due respect.

There is a difference

between an American
who believes in segregation

and a Nazi.

Not to a Filipino.

Best you take a seat, Alex.

Mr. Frieder,

it brings us great joy
to give this to you.

That's the 210 visas
for the refugees

that you and Manuel picked.

And that's an additional
1,000 visas

for another set of refugees
we can bring in!

That's 1,000 visas per year,
Alex.

Manuel...

Gentlemen!

It's not 10,000,
but it's a start.

Indeed, Mr. President,
a good start.

Yeah.

To the Frieder brothers!

For their tireless efforts.

To the Jewish refugees.

For their resilience.

And to the Filipino people.

For rewarding my faith in them.

Hear! Hear!

The ship has docked.

They will be arriving
in river taxis.

Name, please?

Mosher Zimmerman.

Welcome home!

Thank you very much.

Welcome to the Philippines!

We can only thank
our lucky stars

that President Roosevelt

has dedicated
the United States military

to freeing Europe
from Hitler's terrible reign.

Could I have done more?

Sweetheart.

You did something...

when everyone else did nothing.

I will never forget that.

Your children
will never forget that.

The Filipino people...

will never forget that.

In 1938,
during the Kristallnacht,

when they arrested all the Jews

and sent them to concentration,

a policeman came to my father

and told him to leave
the country quickly.

Because Quezon and his country
were dependent on America,

and still he decided to act
against their wishes,

and showed strength and bravery.

What then happened was

that when we were
in the Philippines already,

we heard about the process

of Jews being put into
concentration camps.

We don't know how to appreciate

what they did for all us people,

not only for me,

that they let us come in
to the Philippines,

that they opened their home.

There was no discrimination.
None.

And that as a Jew
was a very new experience,

to be in a country where
there was no discrimination.

It was not a rich country.

It was a country that was
dependent on the United States

for a great deal.

And therefore,

by going against the wishes
of the United States

at that time by taking in Jews,

President Quezon was making
a very large statement

and a risky statement.

Had it not been
for the Philippines,

we wouldn't be talking today.

If the Philippines hadn't opened
its doors,

if Quezon hadn't made
the decision that he did,

I don't know if my mother
or my mother's family

would have survived
the Holocaust.

["Hindi Namin Malilimutan"
continuously playing