MJFF – Auction
Auction
Pascal Bonitzer, France, 2024, 91min
Language: French with English subtitles
First known as a regular screenwriter for Jacques Rivette and a contributing critic at Cahiers du Cinéma, Pascal Bonitzer has since established himself as a distinguished director and a sought-after writing collaborator on acclaimed films like Paul Verhoeven’s Benedetta and Catherine Breillat’s Last Summer. In this meticulously crafted drama, which he also scripted, Bonitzer tells the story of André Masson (Alex Lutz), a modern art appraiser with a sharp eye and an unflaggingly cool demeanor. One day André’s carefully curated and ordered life is unexpectedly disrupted when a provincial lawyer contacts him about a young working-class client who may have acquired a work of art long thought to be lost during World War II.
With tempered expectations, André and his fickle assistant travel to the suburbs to meet Martin, a chemical plant worker, and appraise the artwork. Their skepticism quickly gives way to astonishment when they confirm that the painting is indeed authentic—an Egon Schiele masterpiece that vanished during World War II after being stolen by Nazi officials. This discovery could be the defining moment of André’s career, but it also raises profound questions about moral obligations and ethics in the high-stakes world of art, where money and power often reign supreme.
This powerful ensemble drama deftly explores the complexities of restitution, the ethical dilemmas of the art world, and the unexpected twists life can take. With a lively cast of characters and a sincere concern for justice, Bonitzer delivers a gripping and thought-provoking film that resonates on multiple levels.
