Occupied City
Occupied City

Movie spotlight

Occupied City

2023
Movie
266 min
Dutch

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.

Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes97%
Metacritic85/100
Google Users92%
Director: Theresa RehbockGenres: Documentary

Plot Summary

Occupied City is a sprawling documentary that meticulously reconstructs Amsterdam's experience during the Nazi occupation from 1940 to 1945. Through archival footage, interviews with survivors and historians, and dramatic re-enactments, the film vividly portrays the daily lives, struggles, and resistance efforts of the city's residents. It explores themes of collaboration, persecution, and the profound impact of war on a civilian population.

Critical Reception

Occupied City was widely acclaimed by critics for its ambitious scope, meticulous research, and powerful storytelling. Reviewers praised its ability to humanize a dark period of history, offering a deeply affecting and comprehensive account of the occupation. The film's length was noted, but often deemed necessary for its thorough exploration of the subject matter.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its immense scope and deeply moving historical account.

  • Lauded for its sensitive and thorough portrayal of civilian life during occupation.

  • Acknowledged as a lengthy but essential and impactful documentary.

Google audience: Google users overwhelmingly praised 'Occupied City' for its historical accuracy and emotional resonance. Many highlighted the film's detailed exploration of the occupation and its impact on ordinary people, finding it both educational and profoundly affecting. Some viewers mentioned the film's length but still recommended it highly for its importance.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the Dutch Film Awards (Gouden Kalf).

Fun Fact

The film's director, Theresa Rehbock, spent over five years researching and compiling the vast amount of archival material used in 'Occupied City'.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
Lachlan Thiele

Lachlan Thiele

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 cu...