You are here:

Exodus to Shanghai

Name: Exodus to Shanghai
Director: Anthony Hickox
Released: 2015
Duration: 110 min

Representation Score

3.3/10

Limited

2015

Director

Anthony Hickox

Runtime

110 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Exodus to Shanghai offers a fresh perspective by emphasizing the role of non-Western institutions in providing sanctuary during the Holocaust era. The film centers on the Chinese Consul's actions, offering a nuanced look at cross-cultural cooperation during a time of imperialist aggression. However, the film remains rooted in traditional cinematic structures. While it provides meaningful ethnic representation, it adheres to conventional genre clichés and narrow romantic dynamics. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its refusal to maintain a purely Western-centric viewpoint, even as it operates within the confines of a period romance and action-adventure genre.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Exodus to Shanghai have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film follows a traditional structure focused on heterosexual relationships between Fannia and Bruce, without exploring LGBTQ+ identities.

How does Exodus to Shanghai portray gender?

Fair

Fannia plays a key role in the survival plot but the film adheres to conventional romantic and gender dynamics.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Exodus to Shanghai?

Good

The film highlights the Jewish diaspora and East Asian geopolitical realities, disrupting Eurocentric Holocaust narratives.

How does Exodus to Shanghai represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative critiques imperialist aggression and the failure of Western institutions to protect citizens, focusing on the Japanese occupation of Shanghai.

Does Exodus to Shanghai include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no evidence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities integrated into the narrative or used as plot devices.

Present on Screen

Disrupts Eurocentric Holocaust narratives by highlighting East Asian geopolitical realities.
Provides meaningful representation of the Jewish diaspora through cross-cultural ability to act.
Critiques imperialist aggression and the breakdown of traditional state authority.

Limited or Absent

Relies heavily on traditional romantic and gender dynamics.
Lacks exploration of LGBTQ+ identities or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth gender narratives.
Provides no representation of characters with disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Exodus to Shanghai tells the story of two lovers who have to escape from Vienna to China after Dr. Ho, the Chinese Consul in Vienna in 1938, issued Exit Visas to many Jews against the instruction of his superiors. Fannia, a New York Jewish Violin student, falls in love with the Consul's nephew Bruce. Together they must leave Vienna as the Gestapo is chasing them to get the Jews and Hitler's painting.

How are these scores produced? →