EXCLUSIVE: A24 and New Regency are among partners on Oscar winner Steve McQueen’s intriguing documentary Occupied City.
McQueen is still working on the project, which concerns Amsterdam during World War II under Nazi occupation.
A24 will manage domestic, while New Regency will handle global. Both players will co-finance. Film4 is also co-financing with the UK Broadcast Rights, as previously announced.
The Netherlands Film Fund, Mondriaan Fund, and Amsterdam Fund for the Arts are also partners. McQueen’s Lammas Park outfit is also a co-producer. Production started a few years back.
Occupied CityBased on the illustrated history books Atlas of an Occupied Town, Amsterdam 1940-1945, written by author and filmmaker Bianca Stigter (McQueen’s wife). With a $5M+ budget, it isn’t your average European doc.
The book reveals the remains of World War II Amsterdam and guides the reader through the once-occupied Dutch capital. The Netherlands Film Fund had previously spoken out about the project. “Living in Amsterdam is like living with spirits. It looks like there are two parallel worlds. The past is always present.”
Per capita, the Netherlands had the largest number of people fleeing occupying troops during World War II. Anne Frank and Audrey Hepburn were among those who sought refuge in Amsterdam during the war.
It’s not clear yet whether the film – which marks McQueen’s first foray into non-fiction feature filmmaking — will launch in late 2022 or 2023.
Stitger, who was an associate producer on McQueen’s WidowsOscar nominee 12 years as a slaveA recent, well-received Holocaust documentary was directed by.Three Minutes: An Enlightening Experiencewhich launched at Venice and Toronto and will play at virtual Sundance.
McQueen’s regular partners New Regency are also aboard his next narrative feature BlitzThe film is expected to be shot this year. After critically acclaimed series of anthology films, the British director is back.Small AxeFive BAFTAs were awarded to the film “The Artist Behind the Mask”.