Christiania: 40 Years of Occupation (2014)

In 1971, hundreds of young people claimed the 85 acres of an abandoned 17th century military base in Copenhagen and set up a community. Over the next 40 years, they build a self-governed community with the hope of becoming legitimate.

Finding it politically unpopular to evict the settlers, the Danish government declared Christiania a "short-term social experiment". Following 40 years of tense relations with the government, much of it focusing on the open hashish trade, Christiania is on its way to becoming a legitimate community.

Christiania was born in 1971 when youthful idealism and a severe housing shortage incited hundreds of young people to occupy 85 acres of deserted brick buildings, woods, ramparts and canals as their home. Over forty years later, Freetown Christiania, also known as Christiania is still standing.

With the freedom to experiment, the Christianites built a distinct culture based on group consensus, and a thriving economy of restaurants, bars, cottage industries, and an open hashish trade. In every respect, Christiania became an alternative that challenged, inspired, and frightened the society outside.

Christiania tells the story of this remarkable place – a story full of struggles and triumphs, crises and compromises – through the voices of Christiania's residents, and government and police officials.

Christiania: 40 Years of Occupation explores consensus democracy, alternative building methods, drug policy and Scandinavian culture in a provocative and often humorous character study of this fascinating community.