This film, The Invisible Bridge, is presented by the Julien Bryan International Film Foundation (:13) and will be narrated by Arnold Moss. It centers around the YMCA as it rebuilds around the globe. Opening with the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco (:42) which is the largest and cost $35 million and four years to construct, and the Ludendorff Bridge over the Rhine River (1:12). During warfare, bridges no longer seemed ‘beautiful’ as they became targets for bombing (1:20). In peace, they will be rebuilt and reunite cities and citizens (1:58). The film takes us to Manila in the Philippines (2:08) where after three years and nine months of war, eighty percent of the city’s worth had been destroyed (2:35). Some of the buildings ruined were the Philippine Legislature building (2:53) as well as the University and churches (3:03).
A housing crisis ensued (3:37) as homes were destroyed and citizens left to exist in shacks made with flimsy material (3:45). The youth also suffered with a shortage of food and structure as we are shown a YMCA secretary intervening in a fight between young boys (5:33). A card for the YMCA of the Philippines appears on screen (6:23) as this boy is welcomed into the club (6:27). After the war, the Y building had been left without much to salvage and the secretary must rebuild the headquarters as well as his own home (8:08). He will also bring needed services to students as they will require employment advice and ideally, on site training (9:20).
Free sporting events such as boxing (9:26) aided to boost morale. The amateur night on the radio was also a hit (9:35). In Czechoslovakia, the cathedral in Prague remained standing through occupation (10:05) and mostly undamaged Y building (10:27). They were able to continue services such as allowing youth to play the game invented by the YMCA, basketball (11:05). Unfortunately, the secretary had perished in prison along with other staff members whom held loyal to their beliefs (11:30). One of the board members was liberated (12:05) yet 600 others were left in need of special care.From the outside, Shanghai in 1947 (12:53) appeared unchanged. However, the YMCA building on Tibet Road (13:16), had lost half its staff and would need 200 new leaders trained. Nine of the other buildings had been damaged (13:51). The people of China were faced with poverty and hunger. One Y building opened seven day care centers for the children of impoverished laborers (14:07) and a free school in Ningbo (14:22). In Poland (14:40) the YMCA building had been partly repaired and was reopened as children resumed playing games, joining clubs, reading and learning (15:41). In addition to countries to the explored, an additional 18 countries contained YMCA’s with damaged facilities and equipment (17:05). The US and Canada raised $8,650,000 for these repairs (17:24).In total, 105 buildings had been had hit by war and 41 completely destroyed (17:34). Rehabilitation was also needed for over 600 staff members and families (17:42). As the film comes to a close the metaphor is drawn between the damaged physical bridges after wartime and the intangible bridges between peoples that needed mend as well.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
