The Times looks at a new film set to debut later this month that sends up the art world. The satire surely seemed like a good idea a year ago at the height of the Contemporary art market. But will anyone still be laughing now?
The film is based on Danny Moynihan’s novel and its makers have been advised by two of Britain’s foremost art insiders — Damien Hirst and Mollie Dent-Brocklehurst, art consultant to Roman Abramovich and his girlfriend, Dasha Zhukova.
Hirst chose the art for the film, as well as lending one of his own spin paintings. […] Dent-Brocklehurst, whose family owns Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire, is given a “special thanks” credit in the film, which is directed by her husband, Duncan Ward.
The satire features a dealer modeled on Gagosian/Jopling and characters not likely to arouse much sympathy:
“There are not a lot of likeable characters in this film,” said Chris Simon, one of the producers. “The film shows the lunacy of the art market and how prices are constantly being talked up for the benefit of dealers, owners and artists.” The film was shot a year ago, before the art market collapsed.
Joanna Lumley Goes to War Again in Satire on Modern Art World (Times of London)