This year the city Apeldoorn is chosen by Queen Beatrix to visit during the celebration of the Dutch traditional Queens Day.
The Queen and her family arrive at the Oranje park and walk around to see all the culture, hobbies, sports, and crafts presented by the municipality and the inhabitants of Apeldoorn. The tour ends with a bus ride that meets a parade of historical cars and figures that visualise the life of Juliana, the mother of Beatrix, to commemorate that it is exactly 100 years ago that she was born. Spectators enthusiastically express their love for the Queen and the Monarchy.
But the cheerful and sunny day turns into a nightmare when it becomes clear that a maniac drove into the public with his car, killing himself and six bystanders and leaving many heavily injured. The car crashes into the monument called ‘De Naald’ (The Needle), a gift from the inhabitants of Apeldoorn to Queen Wilhelmina (mother of Juliana) in 1901.
All the festivities are cancelled immediately and most of the public leaves Apeldoorn. Some stay behind. Tearing down their stands or sitting around quietly with glassy looks. The theme of the story changes around from celebration to total bewilderment.
For reportages for the ARD programs Morgenmagazin, the tabloid program Brisant and the news program ARD Tagesschaureporters Michael Heussen and Katharina Heerdegen are send to Apeldoorn to cover the event.
Featurez did the research, set-up and planning, accompanied the live stand-ups and filming, booked a camera crew, did the direction and interviews, attended the press conferences and the satellite feed of the video material.