PIFF!

After missing last year's program, it was a treat to take in a couple of days of the 33rd annual Portland International Film Festival.

First up, a five-star recommendation for "John Rabe," a compelling drama based on the true story of a German businessman who saved more than 200,000 Chinese during the Nanjing massacre in 1937-38. The lead actor, Ulrich Tukor, starred in "The Lives of Others" -- one of best films I've ever seen --and he was stellar in this one.

German director Florian Gallenberg is masterful in presenting the story of an ad hoc coalition of international residents -- led by Rabe but also including an American doctor and a French school headmistress -- who join forces to create a safety zone to protect civilians during the Japanese occupation of Nanjing. The film won four German Film Awards, including Best Film and Best Actor.

For Americans accustomed to the usual European/German/Nazi focus on World War II history, this is a rare but needed excursion into the complicated politics and history involving Japan, China and Germany. During the so-called Rape of Nanking, the Japanese Imperial Army slaughtered 300,000 people and raped an estimated 20,000 to 80,000 women.

The film certainly depicts viciousness and callousness but it also inspires with its portrayal of humanity, courage and caring. Rabe and others repeatedly demonstrate resourcefulness, guile and sheer will as they manage to save thousands of lives in the face of utter brutality. It's available through Netflix. Rent it.

Secondly, we saw "Short Cuts IV: International Ties," seven shorties ranging from 4 to 23 minutes and featuring entries from Ireland, New Zealand, Hungary and more. The beauty of this format, obviously, is the variety and the compact presentation. It's like a buffet, with animation and film, humor and drama, and storytelling from children's and adults' points of view.

The best ones?

-- "This Is Her," (New Zealand). “This is me. This is my husband. And this is the bitch who will one day steal him and ruin my life.” 12 minutes.

-- "This Way Up,"(Great Britain). Laying the dead to rest has never been so much trouble. 9 minutes.

-- "Short Term 12," (United States). Denim, the supervisor for a residential facility housing 15 kids affected by child abuse, begins to realize that, in a lot of ways, he is no different from the children he tries to help. 22 minutes.

With 75 films showing over 17 days, we had a wealth of choices. Wish we had time to take in more than two shows. Next year, we'll try to do more.