American Cinema Foundation Tribute to Manfred Durniok

Richard Sorge ­ The Spy of the Century was one of the new projects discussed by Berlin producer Manfred Durniok (in photo, courtesy ACF) at the Goethe-Institut Los Angeles upon receiving the American Cinema Foundation Freedom Award.
        It recounts the true story of the highly successful spy ring that operated in Japan for several years prior to World War II. Organized by a German/Russian member of the Komintern, Doctor of Philosophy Richard Sorge, the ring benefited greatly from the help of a brilliant prominent Japanese journalist, Hotsumi Osaki. Both these men would become invaluable members of the highest offices in Japan: Dr. Sorge’s office in the German Embassy was adjacent to that of his close friend, the German Ambassador, while Osaki served as advisor to the Japanese Prime Minister Konoe. The ring members lived in constant danger from Japanese authorities who distrusted all foreigners and reviled all Communists. They were finally arrested and convicted of treason shortly before the bombing of Pearl Harbor, but not before they had transmitted crucial information to the Soviet Union that enabled the Russians to survive the German invasion. The Komintern had already placed several operatives in Japan prior to Sorge’s arrival: a Croat photographer-developer, Branco de Vukelich and his wife Edith; a Czech radioman, Max Clausen and his wife Anna; and the expatriate Okinawan recently arrived from America, Yotoku Miyagi. They would work under cover for the Fourth Department of the Red Army in Moscow but would report directly to Dr. Sorge.
        Above all, the myriad details of history is underscored by the courage and moral compasses of Richard Sorge and Hotsume Osaki that affected - and possibly helped determine ­ the outcome of World War II. Directed by Masahira Shinoda, the filming began in April on location in Japan. More: Info@ManfredDurniokProduktion.de

­ Editors