Final Cut uncovers the truth behind ‘Body Art’, a controversial Dutch TV program shot in 1975, and the brainchild of cultural critic Simon Mari Pruys (1927-1980). The program featured ‘Thomas Lips’, an intense performance by artist Marina Abramović. The performance was filmed at de Appel in Amsterdam, an alternative art center founded earlier that year by Wies Smals (1939-1983).
But the TV program 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. And these artists still find their home at de Appel, now led by curator Lara Khaldi.
Final Cut will premiere at the Nederlands Film Festival this September. It is in competition for a Gouden Kalf, the national award for best Dutch documentary.
Completed
| Written and directed by | Joeri Pruys |
| Director of Photography | Ewoud Bon |
| B-camera operator | Seretse Fulani |
| Sound | Tijs Leemans & Gerben Kokmeijer |
| Edited by | Joeri Pruys & Tim Klok |
| Music by | Mazen Kerbaj, Bartho Staalman & Gabriël Rademaker |
Documentary, 96 minutes, English & Dutch