For forty years, De Trut has been a fixture of Amsterdam's queer nightlife, operating not as a commercial club but as a volunteer-run haven. To mark its anniversary, a new documentary, De Trut: 10 portretten, will offer a rare look into the community that has sustained this unique space since 1985.
The 40-minute film by director Pim Mookhoek bypasses the dance floor to focus on the people who are the heart of the club. Through ten personal portraits, the documentary introduces viewers to the volunteers who run the non-profit Sunday party, the regulars who found a sense of belonging there, and the activists whose LGBTQ+ projects are funded by the club's proceeds.
De Trut holds a significant place in the city's queer history. The film touches upon its role as a vital community hub during the AIDS epidemic and explores its continued relevance today as an inclusive space in a changing social landscape. All profits from the club are channeled into the Stichting Fonds De Trut, which supports LGBTQ+ initiatives both in the Netherlands and internationally.
A Community Beyond the Dance Floor
A strict "no photos, no filming" policy has long protected the privacy and freedom of its visitors. Respecting this rule, the documentary is built entirely on conversations and stories told outside the club's walls. The result is not a conventional club film but an intimate portrait of a community built on solidarity and connection over four decades.
The film shows how a Sunday night party grew into a lasting cultural and activist force, from its origins to its current meaning as a safe and inclusive dance floor.
De Trut: 10 portretten is 40 minutes long and in Dutch. It will be screened at Het Ketelhuis in Amsterdam as part of their Queer Filmzomer, with showings starting from July 23.
