The Port of Last Resort: Zuflucht in Shanghai
Port of Last Resort presents the little-known story of nearly 20,000 European Jewish refugees who fled to Shanghai from 1938-1941.  Shanghai was a free port that did not require papers for entry, and became the "last resort" to find a safe haven from the terror of the Nazis.  Filmmakers Joan Grossman and Paul Rosdy have assembled a remarkable film out of rare footage. Sensational 8mm and 16mm home movies intimately portray the daily life of refugees and life on the streets of Shanghai. Refugee family films document the month-long ship voyage to Shanghai, while films by Viennese emigrant Charles Bliss and American Eric Schmidt create a rich cinematic texture.  Combined with Japanese films and outtakes of American newsreels, this is a poignant and beautiful journey.