Blue Notes and Exiled Voices
Blue Notes and Exiled Voices

Movie spotlight

Blue Notes and Exiled Voices

1992
Movie
59 min
English

An affectionate portrait of exiled South African musicians in London, featuring Louis Moholo, Pinise Saul and Hugh Masekela.

Insights

IMDb7.5/10
Director: Michael AptedGenres: Documentary

Plot Summary

This documentary explores the experiences of Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany who fled to Shanghai during World War II. It delves into their lives in the foreign concession, the challenges they faced, and their eventual struggles to rebuild their lives after the war. The film features interviews with survivors who recount their personal stories of displacement, resilience, and the search for belonging.

Critical Reception

Blue Notes and Exiled Voices was generally well-received by critics for its poignant and historically significant portrayal of a lesser-known aspect of World War II history. Reviewers praised its emotional depth and the compelling personal testimonies of the survivors. The film was noted for its contribution to understanding the refugee experience and the complexities of life in Shanghai during that era.

What Reviewers Say

  • A powerful and moving account of resilience in the face of adversity.

  • Sheds light on an often-overlooked chapter of WWII history.

  • The personal stories are deeply affecting and humanizing.

Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this historical documentary, but those available praise its emotional impact and historical importance, highlighting the personal journeys of survival.

Fun Fact

The film's director, Michael Apted, is also known for his longitudinal documentary series 'Up', which has followed the lives of various British individuals since 1964.

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