Kristoffer directed STATELESS: The Japanese Left Behind in the Philippines - a long form documentary for NHK WORLD.
After WWII, thousands of children born to Japanese fathers were left in the Philippines. Many became stateless, and around 50 are still seeking recognition today. The film follows several of these men and women, now in their eighties or older, as they search for traces of fathers they never knew.
Their lives were shaped by a pre-war Japanese community that collapsed under the violence and upheaval of the Pacific War, leaving families separated and identities fractured.
Many lived without nationality or legal protection, caught in the long shadow of repatriation and lost records. STATELESS focuses on their ongoing effort to be recognized, and the hope that even a small breakthrough might change what has been out of reach for decades.
Available on YouTube
STATELESS received over 250,000 views in its first two weeks.
Kristoffer Rage Krantz is a Tokyo-based director creating human-centered, documentary-style films for global brands and broadcasters. His work blends journalism, cinematic visuals, and a calm, precise approach to storytelling.
