This 8mm film was recorded by the Voticky family on the ship SS Conte Rosso. They filmed scenes from their time on the ship as well as their arrival in Shanghai harbour. Anka and Arnold Voticky and their two children, Milan and Vera, arrived on May 10, 1940.
The SS Conte Rosso and Jewish Refugees
Beginning in 1932, the SS Conte Rosso route went from Trieste, Italy, to Bombay and Shanghai. During the war, Jewish families attempted to escape Nazi-occupied Europe. Facing the closed doors of most Western countries, many of them immigrated to Shanghai where no charge was required for a visa. The SS Conte Rosso became one of the most popular passenger ship departing for Asia. More than 18,000 Jews escaped to Shanghai during the Holocaust.
The Voticky family immigrated to Montreal in 1948.
Anka Voticky donated these films and family documents to the Montreal Holocaust Museum in 2002.
This project is part of the implementation of the Plan culturel numérique du Québec.
