In 2011, director Jennifer Grausman read an article in The New York Times about Mark Landis, a then-mysterious art forger, who was able to avoid any legal consequences of passing off his superb copies as the real thing, because he never sold them. He merely donated them, all the while posing as a friendly but odd old-money collector who was only interested in helping museums and galleries. His actions had, however, attracted the attention of Matthew Leininger, who had been Chief Registrar at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.

A few years before, when Landis sought to donate some works, Leininger searched online for one of the watercolors on offer, and discovered that another museum had the exact same painting. He began to check up on other pieces in the museum’s collection, and discovered other forgeries that turned out to be Mark Landis’ forgeries, one that appeared in 7 other collections. As filming began, 46 museums in 20 states had taken in Landis work, believing it to be authentic, most displaying it as such.

If Landis is obsessed with copying art and donating it, Leininger is obsessed with stopping Landis and preventing further schemes of this kind. Thus the stage is set for a confrontation, and it makes for riveting viewing, a combination of heist picture and detective story that stands up to deeper philosophical inquiry, if you want to go there.

Art and Craft is a compelling documentary that starts on Friday, November 14, it’s only in theaters, and Cinema Detroit is the only place in southeastern Michigan to see it. Don’t miss it!

Art and Craft
Documentary – NR – 89 min – Tickets $8 – Get tickets online
Fri, Nov. 14: 7:15 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 15: 7:15 p.m.
Sun, Nov. 16: 7:30 p.m.
Mon, Nov. 17: 9:45 p.m.
Tues, Nov. 18: 9:45 p.m.
Wed, Nov. 19: 5:30 p.m.
Thurs, Nov. 20: 7:30 p.m.
Fri, Nov. 21: No screenings
Sat, Nov. 22: 5:00 p.m.
Sun, Nov. 23: 3:00 p.m.