“When the Nazis occupied Rome in 1943, over 4500 Roman Jews went into hiding in churches, convents, monasteries and other Vatican properties including Fatebenefratelli Hospital. Almost all of them survived the Nazi Occupation.” the producers.
War is hell and the memories of which continue to haunt people who have been caught up in it. This is the premise of a new docudrama being released that exemplifies the atrocities of World War II. It’s called Syndrome K after a little known deception that saved many Jews in Rome from being killed by the Nazi extermination squads. Just an hour long, the film does not labor over the actual heroic feat, but just provides audiences another story based on historical facts on how people came forward to save lives.
In September 1943 Rome there was a stroke of genius and bravery by three Roman Catholic Doctors, Adriano Ossicini, Giovanni Borromeo, & Vittorio Sacradoti. The three came up with a plan to hide many Jews in Fatebenefratelli hospital under the guise that they had contracted a highly contagious disease. The film lays out the story with actual scenes of the Nazi occupation of Rome, war film footage, documents and photos of the hospital and some drama played out by actors from accounts by those who witnessed it firsthand.
Syndrome K can be seen via Video on Demand and on Digtal platforms. It is nicely made integrating actual footed, with interviews including Dr. Vittorio Sacerdoti, Dr. Adriano Ossicini, Mr. Pietro Borromeo the son of Dr. Giovanni Borromeo along with others who witnessed or were privy to facts of the true story.
The film has not been rated at release time, but there are scenes of war, brutality and clips of Nazi atrocities. You don’t have to be a fan of documentaries to watch this true depiction of what took place in Europe in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s.
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Dr. Vittorio Sacerdoti, Dr. Adriano Ossicini, Mr. Pietro Borromeo
Narrated by: Ray Liotta
Special Interview: Dr. Suzanne Brown-Fleming US. Holocaust Memorial Museum
Directed and Produced by: Stephen Edwards
Genre: Documentary
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 1 hour
Opening Date: August 16, 2022
Distributed by: Freestyle Digital Media
Released in: TVOD, Digital
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
