Occupied City

2023 4h 26m NL

👍

6.6

SOLID

★6.6TMDB · 19

Documentary

Synopsis

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The past collides with the present in this excavation of the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam: a journey from World War II to recent years of pandemic and protest and a provocative, life-affirming reflection on memory, time and what's to come.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Melanie Hyams
Self - Narrator (voice)
Carice van Houten
Narrator (2024 version)

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Steve McQueen
Writers: Bianca Stigter
Languages: German, English, Dutch
Countries: Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

At 266 minutes, this is a three-hour-plus commitment — longer than 95% of films ever made.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 3 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 3 languages: German, English, Dutch.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 3 countries: Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States of America.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Steve McQueen, shot by Lennert Hillege. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Oliver Coates. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Xander Nijsten shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Melanie Hyams and Carice van Houten carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Steve McQueen directs. Lennert Hillege behind the camera. Oliver Coates scores. Xander Nijsten cuts. A long sit — settle in. Produced in Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States of America. Dialogue in German, English, Dutch.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1At 266 minutes, this is a three-hour-plus commitment — longer than 95% of films ever made.
2Released 3 years ago.
3Dialogue crosses 3 languages: German, English, Dutch.
4International production across 3 countries: Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States of America.
5Directed by Steve McQueen, shot by Lennert Hillege. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
6Original score by Oliver Coates. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
7Editor Xander Nijsten shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
8Melanie Hyams and Carice van Houten carry the top of the cast.
9IMDB entry: tt9573150 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
10Only 19 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

The technical file

Cinematography: Lennert Hillege
Original score: Oliver Coates
Editing: Xander Nijsten
Sound: Jan Schermer
Runtime: 266 min · 4h 26m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Original language: NL
IMDB: Occupied City (2023)

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Steve McQueen

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Community reviews

What people are saying

Lachlan Thiele2023-05-18
★ 7/10
EXT. IT BELONGS IN A MUSEUM - DAY Occupied City is redefining the 'Documentary' genre. This film is a series of stories passed onto Steve McQueen, now passing them onto us. It narrates those stories whilst giving us a glimpse into the current affairs in Amsterdam. This pure juxtaposition shows how far we have come yet how quickly we can turn back. The reason I've titled this review "It's Belongs in A Museum" is not because I have a ticket for the new Indiana Jones film here at Cannes (but it has little to do with that). This film isn't something to watch during a visit to the cinema; it should be on display somewhere, a four-and-a-half-hour loop of each moment, story, fact and stunning cinematography that this film has to offer. Suppose I explain why I'm so optimistic about this film yet only giving it 3.5 stars. In that case, it's because, as a film, anything more than 4 hours without a narrative flow is a complicated watch. Still, as I said, this belongs in a museum or an art gallery on display for you to sit and watch for a moment; when you're ready, you can leave but come back anytime. Yet I was in a cinema for more than 4 hours. This film would still be compelling at 2 hours long, yet McQueen leaves nothing on the cutting room floor. There were moments in which I wanted it to be over, but then another story or particular shot would drag me back in. But within this film, there is a tighter, more cohesive narrative where the simpler/less impactful stories are excluded. But it seems that McQueen wanted a leg in the race for the longest film of the Decade award. Overall, if you can watch this film, maybe not in cinemas but divide it up over four nights, giving you enough time to take in each story this film presents. FADE OUT. Added Shout out: Thanks, Mr McQueen, for giving us an intermission; long, long films need to start having these baked in.

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