The First 54 Years: An Abbreviated Manual for Military Occupation
59th New York Film Festival
September 24 - October 10, 2021
In his provocative and direct new documentary, Israeli filmmaker Avi Mograbi, acting as his own on-screen narrator, very specifically and pointedly asks what are the circumstances, logic, and day-to-day processes that have allowed the normalization of Israel’s military occupation of Palestinian territories.
Q&A with Avi Mograbi on Sept. 25
It has been 54 years since Israel began its official occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, following the 1967 Six-Day War. That history has been recounted elsewhere, but in his provocative and direct new documentary, Israeli filmmaker Avi Mograbi (Avenge But One of My Two Eyes, NYFF43) very specifically and pointedly asks what are the circumstances, logic, and day-to-day processes that allow the normalization of a military occupation. Though appearing on screen as the narrator, Mograbi cedes the floor to a litany of former soldiers who provide firsthand accounts of Israel’s multi-decade control of the region, expressing in collective incremental fashion how the minutiae of policy can create systematic dehumanization and irrevocable conflict.
All NYFF59 documentaries are presented by:
The First 54 Years: An Abbreviated Manual for Military Occupation
Read More
Ildikó Enyedi and Tony Leung on Their Venice Award-Winning Silent Friend
This week we’re excited to present a conversation with Silent Friend director Ildikó Enyedi and lead actor Tony Leung, moderated by TIME film critic Stephanie Zacharek.
FLC Presents “Elaine May,” June 26–July 2, with May in Person to Celebrate 50th Anniversary of Mikey and Nicky
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the release of Elaine May’s emotionally potent Mikey and Nicky, May and producer Julian Schlossberg will be in person at FLC to present a 4K restoration of the film, which May supervised herself.
Apply Now for 2026 FLC Artists and Critics Academies
Applications are now open through June 18 for the 2026 Film at Lincoln Center Academy Programs.