Steve McQueen's WWII Documentary 'Occupied City' Explores Nazi-Era Amsterdam, Set to Premiere December 25

Four-hour documentary balances insightful exploration of Amsterdam's past during Nazi occupation with poignant reflection on modern extremism and societal unrest; features collaboration of McQueen with Dutch filmmaker and wife, Bianca Stigter.

• 'Occupied City', a four-hour long documentary directed by Steve McQueen, explores the history of Nazi-occupied Amsterdam from 1940 to 1945. The film is based on the book 'Atlas of an Occupied City (Amsterdam 1940-1945)' written by McQueen's wife, Dutch filmmaker Bianca Stigter.
• The documentary combines the use of archival footage, collected over a span of three years by McQueen, with modern perspectives to provide both a historical context and reflect upon the socio-political unrest in present times.
• Along with delving into Amsterdam's past during the Nazi era, the film also connects with current issues, drawing parallels between the Holocaust and the rise of modern extremism.
• The role of narration in the film is played by Melanie Hyams, providing a coherent narrative link between past and present incidents and serving as an effective tool to evoke Amsterdam’s history.
• The acclaimed documentary, co-produced by McQueen, Bianca Stigter, Floor Onrust, and Anna Smith-Tenser, is set to premiere in theaters on December 25.

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