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      Syndrome K

      2020 1 hr. 20 min. Documentary TRAILER for Syndrome K: Trailer 1 List
      Reviews When Nazis invaded Rome in 1943, they immediately targeted the Roman Jews. Against Vatican orders, three doctors at Fatebenefratelli, the Vatican-affiliated Catholic hospital hid many Jews who had sought refuge, disguising them as sick patients infected with a wildly touted, highly contagious fake disease they dubbed Syndrome K to fool the Nazis, who were quite fearful of falling victim to disease. The doctors "quarantined" the "infected" Jews to protect them. As Nazi suspicions mounted, they were forced to elaborate and maintain this ruse to keep their countrymen alive until the Allied forces under Gen. Mark Clark began the harrowing fight to liberate Rome from the South. Syndrome K might be the only horrible disease in history that actually saved lives -- because it didn't really exist. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Aug 16 Buy Now

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      Gina M This film tells the largely unknown story of Italian Jews in Rome, 1943, and some courageous Catholic doctors under the backdrop of the worst inhumanity to man. At Fatebenfratelli hospital on The Tiber River outside the Roman ghetto where Jews were being deported, doctors fabricated a highly contagious invented illness,"Syndrome K" cynically named after the most brutal SS general in occupied Rome( whose name, beginning with "K" escapes me). Why? To frighten the occupying Nazis into leaving the Jewish "patients" hospitalized with this highly " contagious"illness alone. This brave collaborative act saved the lives of many Roman Jews, among those my Uncle Toto Sacerdoti and Sisa Almagia profiled beautifully in this heartening documentary. Truly a story of hope, the ingenuity of man, and a bit of humor. Pope Pius XII's controversial position vis a vis the Nazis is also addressed in this film. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/19/23 Full Review james d This is an important story for anyone researching WWII history or the Holocaust. Before this film, I was unaware of Syndrome K. The fact one of the primary doctors involved and many of the survivors were able to provide firsthand accounts lends weight and authenticity and captures new insights about living in Nazi occupied Rome during the war. The care givers at Fatebenefratelli hospital were true heroes and saved lives. While not the primary story, the role of Pope Pius XII is discussed and I believe fairly depicts the church's silence on the Holocaust while also acknowledging the efforts of those who lived in Vatican City and their help in saving Italian lives. Also, Ray Liotta does a wonderful job as the primary narrator in what I believe was his last role before passing. Worth watching! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Greg H What an incredible true story of bravery - we need more Doctors like this; serving the patients first before the medical board, the media or the mainstream Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/16/22 Full Review Audience Member IN A NUTSHELL: "Syndrome K" is the second documentary film from filmmaker Stephen Edwards' (acclaimed composer of "Requiem for My Mother", and musical contributor to award-winning films such as "Nomadland", and "Dallas Buyer's Club"). "Syndrome K" is the true story about a highly contagious, highly fictitious disease created by three Roman Catholic doctors - Adriano Ossicini, Giovanni Borromeo, & Vittorio Sacradoti, during the Holocaust to hide Jews from Occupying Nazis in a Vatican-affiliated hospital during World War II. When over 1,000 Jews from the Jewish Ghetto in Rome were deported to Auschwitz on 16 October 1943, many other Jews sought refuge in the Fatebenefratelli Hospital, directly across the Tiber River from the Ghetto, and Syndrome K became a way to save them. THINGS I LIKED: It was really great to hear Ray Liotta's voice as the narrator one last time. He unexpectedly passed away in his sleep just recently on May 26, 2022. Despite the somber topic of the Holocaust during World War II, this fascinating documentary presents an energetic telling and leaves you feeling hopeful and inspired. Powerful and impactful documentaries are those that speak about ordinary people doing extraordinary things, "Syndrome K" is one of those documentaries. The film utilizes incredible footage and photos of the time, as well as interviews, reenactments, and even animation. I absolutely adore Italy and have been there several times. I loved seeing the old and current photos of the amazing city. The film is incredibly engaging due to the topic but especially because of the quick scene changes and visual effects. It never felt like a boring documentary at all, and the time flew by very fast! THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: Nothing! It was very well done! TIPS FOR PARENTS: Kids will probably be bored. You see bloodied, dead bodies on the ground A picture shows a dead woman who hung herself THEMES: Jews World War II heroes WWII heroes Mysterious diseases Courage Brave doctors Quick-thinking Helping others. You can see my full reviews on my Movie Review Mom YouTube channel. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Critics Reviews

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      Daniel M. Kimmel North Shore Movies Combining interviews and re-enactments along with archival footage, Edwards tells a story of people rising to the occasion in the face of genocide and deciding that, as doctors, it was their duty to save lives. Rated: 4/5 Aug 22, 2022 Full Review Noah Berlatsky Everything is Horrible (Substack) Syndrome K wants to tell an uplifting, pulse-pounding story about a triumph for humanity, for Italy, for Catholicism, for Jews. But the Holocaust wasn’t a triumph for anyone. Rated: 5/10 Aug 17, 2022 Full Review Alan Ng Film Threat Just when you thought all the stories of the Holocaust had been told, a new one surfaces in Syndrome K. Rated: 8/10 Aug 15, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis When Nazis invaded Rome in 1943, they immediately targeted the Roman Jews. Against Vatican orders, three doctors at Fatebenefratelli, the Vatican-affiliated Catholic hospital hid many Jews who had sought refuge, disguising them as sick patients infected with a wildly touted, highly contagious fake disease they dubbed Syndrome K to fool the Nazis, who were quite fearful of falling victim to disease. The doctors "quarantined" the "infected" Jews to protect them. As Nazi suspicions mounted, they were forced to elaborate and maintain this ruse to keep their countrymen alive until the Allied forces under Gen. Mark Clark began the harrowing fight to liberate Rome from the South. Syndrome K might be the only horrible disease in history that actually saved lives -- because it didn't really exist.
      Director
      Stephen Edwards
      Executive Producer
      Lannette Turicchi, Patrick Olson, James Duda
      Screenwriter
      Gregory Alan Ballard
      Production Co
      Insanely Practical Productions
      Genre
      Documentary
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Aug 16, 2022
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