Auction movie storyline. André Masson, auctioneer at the famous Scottie’s auction house, received a letter one day according to which a painting by Egon Schiele had been discovered in Mulhouse at the home of a young worker. Very skeptical, he goes there and has to face the facts: the painting is authentic, a masterpiece missing since 1939, looted by the Nazis. André sees this event as the pinnacle of his career, but it is also the start of a fight that could put it in danger. Fortunately, he will be helped by his ex-wife and colleague Bertina, and by his whimsical intern Aurore.
Auction (Le Tableau Volé) is a French comedy-drama directed by Pascal Bonitzer and released in 2024. The scenario is imagined from the real story of the painting Les Tournesols fades which disappeared in 1942 and reappeared in 2004. It stars Alex Lutz, Léa Drucker, Nora Hamzawi, Louise Chevillotte, Arcadi Radeff, Laurence Côte, Matthieu Lucci, Ilies Kadri, Vincent Nemeth, Alexandre Steiger, Doug Rand and Peter Bonke.
About Schiele’s Painting
The film is inspired by a true story. Egon Schiele’s painting, The Sunflowers, was painted in 1914 in the early stages of the war. He was inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers which he had seen in 1906. However, he depicts not glorious and dazzling Sunflowers like Van Gogh to celebrate Gauguin’s arrival in Arles in 1889, but wilted Sunflowers because the Hope dies with the start of the First World War3.
The painting was estimated at Christie’s in 2003 at between 4 and 6 million pounds (between 5.8 and 8.8 million euros). After disappearing for six decades, it was sold in 2005 for 11.7 million pounds, or 17.2 million euros4.
In fact, the person who discovered this painting in a house purchased as a life annuity had received 10% of the sum free of charge. He was not legally obliged to receive a share, according to the legislation for the restitution of works of art looted during the Third Reich. In France, a still active service of the Ministry of Culture, the Mission for Research and Restitution of Cultural Property Looted between 1933 and 1945, is responsible for returning looted works to heirs5.
Fimk Deview for Auction
Finding a famous painting whose owners were robbed during the Second World War is the ultimate fantasy of any self-respecting auctioneer. André Masson (like the painter), who works in an auction house, is jubilant when he is told of the potential gift of a painting by Egon Schiele to a young chemical worker from Mulhouse. A masterpiece that disappeared in 1939, and the milestone of a career.
When the authenticity of the painting is established, Masson will embark on a terrible race to sell it, accompanied by his ex-wife and colleague Bertha, as well as his young, completely mythomaniac intern, Aurore.
Inspired by a true story, the film is less about art than about the interests linked to it. All with finesse and humor, without ever exaggerating. The choice of Alex Lutz as a cynical auctioneer obsessed with his big deal is very judicious. The dark circles, the voice, the expressions and the posture: he perfectly embodies this sensitive and obsessed man, drowned in work and who cannot escape.
At his side, Léa Drucker and Louise Chevillotte, respectively as Bertha and Aurore, hold him high. The first oscillates between good nature and panache, and the second delivers a very astonishing performance by playing the role of a barking intern beyond all expression, broken and touching. Between these three, we can speak of harmony.
Not to mention Nora Hamzawi, Arcadi Radeff or Alain Chamfort. Credible, all of them. The film, without being a revolution, and although being quite linear in the development of its plot, is funny and moving.
Auction (2024)
Le Tableau Volé
Directed by: Pascal Bonitzer
Starring: Alex Lutz, Léa Drucker, Nora Hamzawi, Louise Chevillotte, Arcadi Radeff, Laurence Côte, Matthieu Lucci, Ilies Kadri, Vincent Nemeth, Alexandre Steiger, Doug Rand, Peter Bonke
Screenplay by: Pascal Bonitzer
Production Design by: Sébastien Danos
Cinematography by: Pierre Milon
Film Editing by: Monica Coleman
Costume Design by: Marielle Robaut
Art Direction by: Amandine Bigot, Florian Bonose
Music by: Alexei Aigui
MPAA Rating: None.
Distributed by: Menemsha Films (United States), Pyramide Distribution (France)
Release Date: April 6, 2024 (United States), May 1, 2024 (France)
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