LIVING TOGETHER: THE STORY OF DE WARREN 

Director: Sam van Zoest
Duration: 75 mins
Year: 2023
Subtitles
Documentary

It all began with KONIJN, a group of friends who organise parties and festivals. When one of the friends inherits some land in Portugal, they decide to establish a permaculture farm. They live together for a month and the group grows to over 100 people. Upon returning to Amsterdam, they face a lonely late summer and miss their communal way of life. They decide to live together in an creative hub in Amsterdam. Unfortunately, they have to leave the building that was intended for demolition after a few years.

The group of friends want a lasting situation and discover a tender from the Municipality of Amsterdam, which aims to have 10% of their housing provided by housing cooperatives by 2030. They submit an application. To their disbeliefs they are chosen to be pilot participants in this programme. Then the real adventure begins: they must quickly secure financing, find an architect, agree on a design, and find a contractor willing to work with inexperienced young people.

Living Together: The Story of De Warren is a documentary created by Sam van Zoest, a filmmaker and resident of De Warren. It is a mosaic film composed of footage shot by residents of De Warren during the process, supplemented by interviews with the board. The music consists mostly of songs created by artists associated with the friend group.