'Quezon's Game' Puts the Spotlight on an Obscure but Remarkable Part of Philippine History

Apparently, during his presidency, Manuel L. Quezon worked to give Jewish refugees displaced by Hitler’s oppressive regime asylum in the Philippines, basically saving them from the Nazi’s infamous Final Solution.  This is a forgotten event in Philippine history.  It hasn’t been taught in schools.  Personally, I only learned of it a couple of years ago when I read an article about Israel honoring the Philippines and Quezon.

Quezon’s Game, a Philippine historical drama film directed by British-Jewish Matthew Rosen, aims to remedy the shocking obscurity of this story.  And, if my Facebook newsfeed is any indication, I think it has succeeded in doing so.  In fact, if nothing else, Quezon’s Game did to Manuel L. Quezon what Heneral Luna did to Antonio Luna with regards to improving his stock as a Filipino historical figure.

By the way, speaking of Heneral Luna, Quezon’s Game kind of did Artikulo Uno dirty.  The final film rounding up the production company’s intended trilogy, which Heneral Luna started and Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral carried on, is going to be centered on Manuel L. Quezon.  Thus, not only does Quezon’s Game somewhat steal some of the thunder of that upcoming film, but it also sets a bar for it.  Furthermore, less perceptive filmgoers will undoubtedly mistake it as that third Artikulo Uno film.

Anyway, Quezon’s Game depicts the process Quezon underwent in order to bring Jewish refugees into the country.  And, boy, it wasn’t easy.  There was much opposition to it from both American and Filipino politicians.  But despite the great hurdles put in front of him, as well as his deteriorating health, the commonwealth president – displaying admirable moral resolve and political savvy, and with the support and aid of his family and allies – was able to architect the best possible deal for it at that time.

The film makes sure to suggest that Quezon has his flaws, but it ultimately presents him as an honorable man who – in spite of the immense challenge, adversity, and personal cost – courageously chose to step up and lead his paltry nation, even though it had limited influence and resources, to extend help to those in desperate need when other more powerful, richer nations didn’t.

And thus, it’s evident that the film’s main moral is that, when you are in a position to do the right thing, you must do it no matter what.  Even though it’s inconvenient.  Even though it requires much sacrifice.  Even though it won’t yield any recognition for you.  In other words, it’s essentially “with great power comes great responsibility.”  It’s a cliché, yeah.  But it’s unfailingly impactful nonetheless since very few people would opt to do the right thing when it would prove difficult and unrewarding.

Now, I’m not really a big fan of Manuel L. Quezon – more specifically, his iconic “I prefer a government run like hell by Filipinos to a government run like heaven by Americans” quote.  I thought – still think – that it’s an arrogant and thoughtless thing to say.  However, I like how the film made the argument for Philippine independence and nationalism play an important part in resolving the story’s central conflict.  And thus, in the context of the perspective unique to this movie, I feel that Quezon’s “government run like hell by Filipinos” rhetoric drives home.

I also like the “political thriller” aspect of the film.  Yes, the stress is definitely more on the “principles” side of the man, but like the 2012 film Lincoln, it also highlights the man willingly and capably playing politics.  In a way, Quezon is shown to have “won” the titular game, not necessarily because of his principles (though, again, the stress is on that), but most likely because of political leveraging.

In relation to this, Quezon is portrayed as an avid poker player.  However, nothing really came out of this character detail.  Certainly, the film missed the opportunity of using the poker scenes to make him come off as calculating and shrewd.  Even if this facet of him being master poker player isn’t necessarily true in real life, the creative liberty of making him so would have improved his characterization tremendously for this movie – especially, when it’s titled “Quezon’s Game.”

The performances are strong all around, especially from Raymond Bagatsing, who plays Quezon.  It feels like he (or the director or both) had made an effort to watch available footage of the president so that he could authentically imitate his mannerisms, speech patterns, and accent.

On a side note, there’s this scene where an upset Quezon clears his table heatedly before collapsing in a burst of coughs.  On its own, it’s definitely corny and laughable.  But within the context of the narrative, and because of Bagatsing’s commitment, it somehow emotionally lands.

All in all, Quezon’s Game is absolutely gripping, thought-provoking, and moving.  It may not be the much anticipated culminating film to Artikulo Uno’s epic trilogy, but it’s every bit of a must-watch and perspective-changing as what Artikulo Uno’s Quezon film could potentially be.

Quezon’s Game is likely ending up as my pick for best Filipino film of 2019.