Steve McQueen's 'Occupied City' Premieres in Theaters, Exploring Amsterdam's Haunted History

Steve McQueen's 'Occupied City' is set to hit theaters on April 24, 2024, following its premiere at Cannes last year. This four-hour and twenty-minute film, filmed in 2020, juxtaposes contemporary Amsterdam with its history during the Nazi occupation. The concept originated with McQueen in 2007 while he resided in Amsterdam. It is based on Bianca Stigter's 2016 publication, 'Atlas van een bezette stad,' and features a voice-over by Melanie Hyams. The film documents 2,000 locations, with 130 specifically highlighted. McQueen characterizes it as an anti-fascist reflection rather than a documentary, addressing the rise of fascism and mentioning Geert Wilders. Its narrative incorporates the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasizes ongoing global conflicts in Ukraine, Israel, and Gaza.