Visas and Virtue

This film is about a true hero. A seemingly ordinary man that chose to do the right thing even at the risk of his own life. Like Oskar Schindler and John Rabe, Sempo Sugiwara actively worked to save as many lives as he could during mass genocide. While not the safe or expedient thing to do, these men did what they did because they had to act--to do anything to save the few innocents that they could during the 1930s and 40s. Schindler, you've most likely heard about as it was chronicled in the great Steven Spielberg film SCHINDLER'S LIST. Rabe and Sugiwara's stories are a bit different. Today they are still largely forgotten--especially in their home countries. Rabe was a Nazi official in Nanking, China who risked his own life in 1937 to save countless thousands of Chinese peasants from massacre by a rampaging Japanese army. Sempo Sugiwara was a minor Japanese diplomat in Lithuania who risked his life and career writing 2000 exit visas for Jews fleeing the German invasion--even after his own government warned him not to.

This almost thirty minute film tells the extremely touching story of Sugiwara's crusade to save as many as he could before he was ultimately relocated to another post. While the embassy reportedly averaged 300 visas a month, Sugiwara wrote that many each day until eventually 6000 unwanted Jews were allowed to escape annihilation.

The story is told very simply and with great deftness. Considering that the film was made by two men with very limited experience in the field (Chris Tashima and Tom Donaldson), it's a truly amazing film that had me in tears. Considering that this film is brilliantly executed, it's no surprise that this film ended up winning an Academy Award. A truly exceptional film---so why is it rated so poorly on IMDb?!?!?

We were living in Japan when we first saw this moving film. Sugihara-san was in the news since the Japanese government had finally acknowledged his humanitarian work during the war. What a special vantage point for viewing this particular movie! We were fortunate to know one of the members of the production staff on the film, so we were aware of the budget limitations. However, this lack was more than compensated for by the enthusiasm and dedication of all participants in seeing it completed. It is most worthy of the accolades heaped upon it. The story is compelling, the acting is outstanding and all the production values are on the screen. Filming the piece in black and white gave it just the right vintage look. A big, "Arigato gozaimasu" (thank you) to everyone who persisted in seeing this picture become a reality. Generations to come who see it will also be grateful.

If you get a chance to see this film, grab it!

I saw "Visas and Virtue" the week after it won the Academy Award for best live action short, and there wasn't a dry eye in the house by the time it ended. With good reason: In telling the story of the Japanese consul in Lithuania who, against the orders of his government and at great personal risk, continued to grant transit visas to Jews fleeing Hitler, the film makers touch several deep places; it is difficult to resist the emotional pull of the themes they explore.

Beautifully shot, mostly in black and white, the story is told both richly and economically. Crammed into about half an hour are such story threads as how the consul and his wife carefully arrange the interviews so that the rules are technically followed, how the stress of both the external crisis of war and refugees and the internal one of personal honor and loyalty and right action affects their family, and the desperation and gratitude of the people who are helped and who, unexpectedly, can help him.

It's a great shame that a short film like this won't be seen by the large audience it deserves.