Wednesday 10 December
10am, 2.30pm, 5pm, 7.30pm
Director Pascal Bonitzer
France
Drama/comedy
91 mins
Inspired by remarkable true events, acclaimed writer/director Pascal Bonitzer’s sharp and hugely engrossing new dramedy The Stolen Painting follows a self-assured auctioneer whose professional and personal integrity is challenged by the discovery of a long-lost masterpiece.
Paris, present day. Brash 40-something André Masson, a hotshot modern art appraiser at prestigious high-end auction house Scottie’s, receives word that a painting by Egon Schiele may have been found in a young factory worker’s home in the Alsatian city of Mulhouse.
Though highly sceptical, André travels to view the canvas with his ex-partner Bettina, who is also an expert valuator, only to be convinced of its authenticity as a masterwork long assumed destroyed by Nazi officials during WWII. For André, the ramifications of this once-in-a-lifetime find for his career and for his contentious relationship with his less-than-reliable intern Aurore will prove both unexpected and transformative.
Skilfully brought to life by an array of endearing and duplicitous characters, TThe Stolen Painting is a thrilling exploration of the often-cynical world of art dealing and collecting, where jaw-dropping prices aren’t always related to the rarity of the object or the desire of potential customers.
One of my favourite films of the year. A sophisticated and compelling character study and mystery. So rich and well crafted… fascinating to watch. A cinematic chamber piece that’s so worth your time. Wonderful. – Jason Di Rosso, ABC Radio National
A rattling good yarn which also manages to be a rather warm human story. Engaging, fascinating and uniformly well-acted. – Mark Demetrius, FILMINK
