The Courtyard of the Old Residency in Munich, Adolf Hitler, 1914.  

This painting suggests military camouflage rather than quiet village life.

Yes, Adolf Hitler, claimed to be a painter. And he produced hundreds of works and sold his paintings and postcards to try to earn a living during his Vienna years (1908–13). However, he was not successful. 

In his autobiography Mein Kampf, Adolf Hitler described how, in his youth, he wanted to become a professional artist, but his aspirations were ruined because he failed the entrance exam of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna. Hitler was rejected twice by the institute, once in 1907 and again in 1908. In his first examination, he had passed the preliminary portion; which was to draw two of the assigned iconic or biblical scenes, in two sessions of three hours each. The second portion was to provide a previously prepared portfolio for the examiners. It was noted that Hitler’s works contained “too few heads”. The institute considered that he had more talent in architecture than in painting. One of the instructors, sympathetic to his situation and believing he had some talent, suggested that he apply to the academy's School of Architecture. However, that would have required returning to secondary school from which he had dropped out and which he was unwilling to do.

Hitler's painting of his pet dog 'Prinz' (a true reference) is the center of the story, and possibly also at the heart of the sequel to Exodus to Shanghai.

Exodus in Shanghai directed by Anthony Hickox is  loosely based on the true story of the film’s producer and co-writer Michel Adams’ mother played by actress Yaara Benben. Her death defying escape out of Vienna during the holocaust is the main story line while the Nazi’s are desperate to locate Hitler’s portrait of his dog Prinz.  Written by Hickox and Michel Adam, the film is inspired by the heroic efforts of Chinese Consul of Vienna, Dr. Feng Shan Ho who issued thousands of exit visas to Shanghai disobeying fierce Nazi rule in order to helps save thousands of Austrian Jews. Despite the very real and painful historical context of the film it remains fantasy keeping a good pace and production values.

Chinese Consul of Vienna, Dr. Feng Shan Ho and below the actor David Yu

This film provokes a visceral reaction and has a chance to build a cult following. 

Combined with a mix of fictional characters, elaborate scenery and vivid imagery, Exodus in Shanghai portrays the perils of life and love in the abyss and face of death and destruction.

Anthony Hickox, the director, fuses surrealism, parody with dramatic moments taking great risk and leaps of faith to create a film you will love to hate or hate to love.  Delivered in a truly original form with campy and risqué aesthetics mixed with sensitive subject matter. Hickox takes artistic license hands down embracing humour and satire. Combine The Rocky Horror Picture Show and twist in Schindler’s List and you may start to get the gist of it. Director Hickox has found a niche directing  horror films such as Waxwork Hellraiser 3 and Hell on Earth leaving his unique signature in Exodus to Shanghai.

Ensemble performances were very good, particularily Alexander Nguyen, playing Bruce, the sadistci nazi played by Markus von Lingen...

The performance of art collector Morgenstern's wife played by Maia Morgenstern is exceptionnal.

Samuel Morgenstern, an Austrian businessman and a business partner of the young Hitler in his Vienna period, bought many of the young Hitler's paintings. According to Morgenstern, Hitler came to him for the first time in the beginning of the 1910s, either in 1911 or in 1912. When Hitler came to Morgenstern's glazier store for the first time, he offered Morgenstern three of his paintings. Morgenstern kept a database of his clientele, through which it had been possible to locate the buyers of young Hitler's paintings. It is sadly ironic that the majority of the buyers were Jewish. 

World Market Premiere at EFM February 12 - 84 minutes

Laurie Gordon