Steve McQueen's "Occupied City" Exhibition at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is set to host a significant cultural event: the screening of "Occupied City," an expansive 34-hour film by acclaimed British director and artist Steve McQueen. This powerful work offers a dual perspective on Amsterdam's rich history, exploring its World War II occupation alongside observations of contemporary life during the recent pandemic years. The exhibition is particularly timely, coinciding with Amsterdam's 750th anniversary and the commemoration of 80 years since its liberation.
Experiencing the Film: Two Perspectives on Amsterdam
Visitors to the Rijksmuseum will have two distinct ways to engage with "Occupied City." A silent version, titled Occupied City (still), will be continuously projected onto the south façade of the museum. This public screening will run from September 12, 2025, to January 25, 2026, offering passersby a glimpse of modern Amsterdam in its daily facets, from celebrations and protests to everyday routines. This external projection aims to create a reflection of current city life, subtly layered over its profound historical context.
Inside the Rijksmuseum's auditorium, a version of the 34-hour film will be shown during the museum's regular opening hours. This internal screening includes sound and an English voice-over, alongside Dutch subtitles, providing a deeper dive into the human stories and tragedies of the city's wartime occupation. The film explores over 2,000 specific addresses across Amsterdam, revealing the past hidden behind each façade.
A Powerful Reflection on Memory and History in Amsterdam
McQueen's film is based on Atlas of an Occupied City. Amsterdam 1940-1945, a book by historian and filmmaker Bianca Stigter. The project masterfully interweaves the invisible scars of World War II with the vibrant rhythm of present-day Amsterdam. Steve McQueen, an Oscar-winning director for 12 Years a Slave, has created a work that invites reflection on themes such as occupation, persecution, and freedom.
Taco Dibbits, General Director of the Rijksmuseum, emphasized the museum's long-standing desire to collaborate with McQueen, noting how his perspective as a Brit living in Amsterdam offers a unique lens through which to view the city's intertwined past and present. This exhibition continues the Rijksmuseum's tradition of partnering with contemporary artists.
Special Full 34-Hour Screening Event
For those seeking an immersive experience, the entire 34-hour film, complete with sound and narration, will be screened continuously in the Rijksmuseum auditorium on the weekend of October 11th and 12th, 2025. This special event will commence on Saturday morning at 9:30 AM and run until Sunday evening. Information regarding tickets will be available soon on the Rijksmuseum's website.
Understanding Amsterdam's Wartime Legacy
The historical backdrop of "Occupied City" is essential to grasping its profound impact. Amsterdam, a city long known for its openness, faced German invasion on May 10, 1940, leading to five years of brutal occupation. This period witnessed the systematic persecution of Jewish, Sinti, Roma, and other groups, leading to the highest death rate of Jewish people in Western Europe. Thousands of Jewish residents from Amsterdam were deported to transit camps like Westerbork, and from there to killing centers, primarily Auschwitz-Birkenau and Sobibor.
The city endured immense suffering, including widespread food rationing that culminated in the devastating Hunger Winter of 1944. Despite the immense pressures, acts of resistance emerged, notably the 1941 general strike in protest of Jewish persecution. Many Dutch citizens risked their lives to shelter and aid those in danger. "Occupied City" brings these hidden histories to the forefront, reminding audiences of the personal stories and collective trauma embedded within the city's architecture and memory, leading up to its liberation on May 5, 1945.
This ambitious project at the Rijksmuseum provides visitors with an unparalleled opportunity to connect with Amsterdam's layered past and present, fostering reflection on resilience, memory, and the enduring human spirit. To discover more cultural experiences throughout the city, explore Musemap (musemap.art) or browse other fascinating museums in Amsterdam. You can also find out what's on during your visit or view the city's cultural highlights on the map.
