Film Kit

“Verdi’s Requiem put all of us into another world. This was not a world with the Nazis. This was our world. […] We just tried to reach something that’s bigger than we are … and let’s hope that we are singing to God, and God can’t help but hear us.”

— Marianka May
Terezín survivor and chorus member

We invite teachers to use the 45-minute classroom version of our documentary film, Defiant Requiem, to introduce students to the remarkable story of conductor Rafael Schächter who led a prisoner choir in sixteen performances of Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem in the Terezín concentration camp during the Holocaust. With testimony by survivors, soaring concert footage, cinematic dramatizations, and evocative animation, this unique film explores this meaningful act of cultural resistance against the Nazis.

To facilitate discussion with students, we have created a Film Discussion Guide with prompting questions on a range of topics.

We have also provided Quick History Facts about the Holocaust, Terezin, and the singing of the Requiem to help teachers feel confident in presenting this material.

Finally, we have pulled Survivor Quotes from the documentary film that can be used as prompts for discussion or reflection with your students.

The film and supporting educational materials are free for classroom educators.

If you are interested in hosting a public screening of the film, please contact Karen Uslin at kuslin@defiantrequiem.org for more information.