I watched the new Criterion Collection DVD set for F for Fake last night. I realize that this film is not for everyone, but I found it fascinating! The editing, Orson’s narration (the great big voice of his), the story - I found the whole film enjoyable. I even clapped at the end - a rareity when watching a film by myself. The two disc set has all kinds of great extras with documentaries and even a 60 Minutes interview with one of the central figures from the film.
The film has fun exploring what it means to be fake. Is a “fake” painting that hangs in a museum for years still fake if no one ever finds out? If people enjoy it, is it fake? Does the museum even want to find out? The film ends up following one of the greatest art forgers of all time, as well as bumping into one of the biggest literary scandals involving the fake autobiography of Howard Hughes. That is just a hint of what the film covers. Fascinating stuff. I don’t know that I’ll do a Reel Review on it, but who knows, I’m getting excited just typing this up.
Check it out if you like Orson Wells, or just good “documentary” film.
Brillant film, isn´t it?
It nearly convinced me to become a faker (I ended up in the somewhat more legal business of commercial illustration later on - less danger of getting caught cheating).
All in all your choice of films is very good, so keep up the good work.
-F.