Jewish Federation of Quad Cities' presents two documentaries at 2026 Holocaust Film Series April 26-May 10
In conjunction with the the film, violist, Kim Busic from the QC Symphony Orchestra, will play several movements from Erwin Schulhoff's Sonata for Violin. The "Klezmer" violin she will be playing was donated to the Jewish Federation from Habitat for Humanity in Port Angeles in Washington State and refurbished by local luthier, David Pope.
On Sunday, May 3, 4:00pm the film "The Song of Names" will presented.
On Sunday, May 10, 4:00pm the documentary "Defiant Requiem" will screen.
All of the three films in the series have won multiple awards, and may have some adult content.
Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and military, free for students. All films have won multiple awards and all have adult content. For more information contact aross@jfqc.org or (309) 793-1300.
"The Song of Names"
This is a wonderful and haunting film. It tells the story of two boys who grow up together. They are brothers through circumstances: the violinist child prodigy from the Warsaw Jewish community and the London lad who eventually befriends him when they are brought together. The story revolves around the sudden disappearance, on the day of his virtuoso concert, of the prodigy. Only near the end of the film do we discover why. The film brilliantly deals with multiple layers and flashbacks, with perfect pacing and quite outstanding acting. The musical score is phenomenal.
113 minutes - English/Hebrew/Polish/Italian - Drama/Music/Mystery/War (2019)
"Defiant Requiem"
The documentary highlights the most dramatic example of intellectual and artistic courage in the Theresienstadt (Terezín) Concentration Camp during World War II: the remarkable story of Rafael Schächter, a brilliant, young Czech conductor who was arrested and sent to Terezín in 1941. He demonstrated moral leadership under the most brutal circumstances, determined to sustain courage and hope for his fellow prisoners by enriching their souls through great music. His most extraordinary act was to recruit 150 prisoners and teach them Verdi’s Requiem by rote in a dank cellar using a single score, over multiple rehearsals, and after grueling days of forced labor. The Requiem was performed on 16 occasions for fellow prisoners. The last, most infamous performance occurred on June 23, 1944 before high-ranking SS officers from Berlin and the International Red Cross to support the charade that the prisoners were treated well and flourishing. View the trailer here: https://tinyurl.com/4b4tpxum
85 minutes - English - Documentary (2012)
Sponsors for the Holocaust Film Series include:
**Anonymous
**Rauch Family Foundation II, Inc.
** Wheelan-Pressley Funeral Homes
**Quad City Bank & Trust
**Stanley and Bernice Harris Memorial Endowment Fund
**Bernard and Irene Goldstein Memorial Endowment Fund
**Louis & Ida-Fox Rich Fund
**Gary and Randi Segal Family
**Marlyne and David Weiner Family
**Friendship Manor, Rock Island, IL
**Truth First Film Alliance, Inc.
**WVIK - National Public Radio, Rock Island
