Fredy Hirsch, a proud Jew and openly gay man, was born in Germany. He was 19 years old when the Nuremberg Laws were published and fled from Germany to the Czech Republic. He began his activities as a sports teacher in a Jewish youth club, and soon became his students’ object of admiration. With the deportation of Jews to Ghetto Terezin, Fredy was appointed head of the youth department and dealt with over than 4,000 youth. When he arrived in Auschwitz, Fredy did not succumb to despair and ran a day-care centre for 600 kids. Fredy was admired by his kids and fought to his last breath to maintain their human dignity. His death on the eve of a revolt he led remained a mystery this film resolves. The testimonies of the children that were under Fredy's care and worshiped his strength tell us a tale not told by the books of history of a hero we never knew of.

“Ciné-ONU Vienna” is part of a Europe-wide initiative of regular film screenings of UN related topics followed by podium discussions with invited guests who were part of the film making process or are experts in the topic covered by the film. The United Nations Information Service (UNIS) Vienna is honoured to have “Ciné-ONU Vienna” partner with this human world (THW) film festival and Topkino for the regular film screenings in Vienna.

Admission free | no bookings taken |admission is first come, first served | please come early