introduction: Yotam David Cytter, Director, the Artistic Committee, EPOS film festival

Music and movie buffs alike, this film’s for you: It combines an impressive cinematic work with one of the greatest musical pieces of the 20th century. A historic recording of Benjamin Britten’s “War Requiem,” conducted by the composer himself, is played here in its entirety while disturbing documentary footage from several wars and other visual images – the brainchildren of director Derek Jarman – are presented. The only actor’s voice heard in the film is that of Laurence Olivier, who appears as an old soldier and reads a poem by Wilfred Owen.

A poet and officer, Owen was killed a week before the end of World War I at age 25. His poetry dealt with the horrors of war and served as the basis for Britten’s anti-war “War Requiem.” A pacifist, Britten left England for several years during World War II, and was recognized as a conscientious objector upon his return. He completed “War Requiem” in 1962. This is the first film that Jarman made after he learned he had AIDS, from which he died five years later. It is one of the most beautiful, painful, and meticulous works he created.

The film contains scenes that some viewers may find disturbing