51 Years of de Appel | Film Screening & Panel Discussion: Final Cut (2026)

In this three-part event we will screen the documentary Final Cut (2026) by filmmaker Joeri Pruys, celebrate of 51st anniversary of de Appel, and close the exhibition Lapdogs of the Bourgeoisie 2026: Class Hegemony in Contemporary Art.

The day will start with the screening of Final Cut, a film about censorship through different moments in the history of de Appel. It will be followed by a panel discussion, and drinks at de Appel for the closing of our current exhibition, Lapdogs of the Bourgeoisie 2026: Class Hegemony in Contemporary Art.

Programme at CC Amstel (Cullinanplein 1, close to de Appel)

15:00–15:15 Word of welcome

15:15–16:45 Screening Final Cut

16:45–18:15 Panel discussion

Programme at de Appel

18:30–20:00 Drinks and closing of the exhibition Lapdogs of the Bourgeoisie 2026: Class Hegemony in Contemporary Art

Final Cut uncovers the truth behind Body Art, a controversial Dutch TV programme shot in 1975, and the brainchild of cultural critic Simon Mari Pruys (1927-1980). The programme featured Thomas Lips, an intense performance by artist Marina Abramović. The performance was filmed at de Appel in Amsterdam in 1975. The TV programme never aired. It was censored and banned from broadcast forever. Filmmaker Joeri Pruys, son of Simon Mari Pruys, gives us a personal look into this divisive part of art history, and goes on a search for the lost footage. Along the way he speaks with newer generations of outspoken artists and curators. Because fifty years later, they still face the same difficulties in dealing with big cultural institutions, from wilful misunderstanding to outright censorship.