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Squatters Movement Breda

Squatters Movement Breda 2007 - Life Performers

The year 2007 is the year of the squatters movement of Breda. One year I devoted to this subculture in order to record the squatters in all their forms and colors in a photographic documentary. De squatters movement, which often is referred to synonyms as cock’s combs, drug-addicts and the unemployed, throws up a counter-offense against the status quo which both mentally as physically chains up the blooming heart of the creative and left winged subculture.

A group of creative youngsters who need space in order to be able to give way to their artistic expression. A group who is progressive and nowadays goes through a political uprising in the streets of Breda. A firm community which redistributes the real estate on communist and anarchic basis (and sometimes without any political color at all).

The squatters movement of Breda generally consists of young quick-witnessed students of the art academy who needs square meters in order to make their assignments and to fully explore and unfold their creative development. Besides row houses and apartments, construction buildings constitute an ultimate studio where sculptors, painters and electrical engineers put their hands together to create something beautiful. The results are discussed during parties and meetings and are used for decoration or are exposed during art-manifestations.

Today the city Breda is situated in a huge upgrade in order to rank to the top of Dutch greatest cities. The mayor and his municipality are facing a dilemma. A city with a dignified esteem should not fall into decay so is decided to mobilize a rough offensive. The special duty police pulled out to put a stop to the so called left-winged extremists. Handcuffed and humiliated tens of squatter’s are transported to prison while not being able to identify themselves by legitimate papers. The year 2007 is also characterized by a lot of clearings and demolitions all arranged by the local government and the real estate agencies. Coincidence or a veiled right-winged movement?

The fight is stirred up between liberalism and socialism in Breda. A fight which should not be fought if the blinkers of the right-winged could only be turned a fraction to the left. This documentary consists of a cross selection of the live of the squatter’s movement in Breda where emphasis is based on the squat, the art, the sense of community at large and the demolitions.

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