24 has unveiled the trailer of Steve McQueen’s four-hour-long documentary film, Occupied City, which connects modern-day Amsterdam with the city’s occupation by Nazis during the Second World War. The film takes inspiration from Bianca Stigter’s novel, “Atlas of an Occupied City, Amsterdam 1940-1945”. Stigter is also McQueen’s wife.
The latest trailer shows people jogging, dancing, skating, strolling, getting married, and doing other things in their daily lives in the city of Amsterdam. Amidst the clip, we hear Melanie Hyams’ voice, recalling the tortures, suicides, murders, and other horrible things that happened to the city’s Jewish community during the early 1940s. In addition, the trailer connects the Nazi brutality with the ongoing extremism in the city.
Furthermore, the trailer shows Amsterdam’s cops trying hard to disperse crowds while riding on horses or travelling in their cars or helicopters. We can also see some footage from the protests that took place in the city during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The duo of McQueen and Stigler has produced the documentary project alongside Floor Onrust and Anna Smith-Tenser. It premiered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, where it opened with highly positive reviews. A24 will handle the film’s release in the United States. On the other hand, New Regency will look after its worldwide distribution.
Occupied City is yet to get a fixed release window. Stay tuned for more updates. Watch the trailer below!