The Man Who Stole Banksy
Fall Grants 2017
Marco Proserpio / Feature Documentary / United Kingdom, Italy, Qatar / 2018 / 90 min / Colour / Original Language: Arabic, English, French, Italian / Interests: Politics, Road Trip, Social Issues, Based on a True Story, Identity, Creative Documentary
Synopsis
In 2007, anonymous street artist and activist Banksy painted a number of politically divisive artworks in Palestine. Some local residents viewed one piece in particular as an insult as they believed it portrayed them in a culturally insensitive way. Others hailed it as high art and flocked to see it. One saw a business opportunity. Local taxi driver known as ‘Walid the Beast’ decided to cut out the entire cement wall containing the art and sell it to the highest bidder online.
A DFI granted film ‘The Man Who Sold Banksy’ is narrated by Iggy Pop and follows the artwork as it makes its journey from the Middle East to the auction houses of Western Europe. It brings the viewer into the shadowy underworld of a secret art market filled with stolen street art removed from walls around the world. Director Marco Proserpio’s provocative feature debut is a high-energy examination of public space, appropriation, and the commodification of street art that asks what happens when political art meets the dark side of capitalism?
Credits
- Director
- Marco Proserpio
- Screenwriter
- Marco Proserpio, Filippo Perfido, Christian Omodeo
- Producer
- Marco Proserpio, Filippo Perfido
- Production Company
- Sterven Pictures
About the Director
Marco Proserpio has been involved in film, television and advertising since the age of 20, when he started working at MTV Italia. Soon after leaving MTV he started directing for television, short films and commercials. His corporate clients include Pirelli, Campari, Jeep, Diesel, Sony. In November 2016, Proserpio directed the film 'The Story Of Our Guardians' produced by Balich Worldwide Shows.
Awards and Festival History
Festivals
"Tribeca FF 2018, Documentary Competition (WP)
Sheffield Doc/Fest 2018
Sarajevo IFF 2018, Summer Screen
Torino FF 2018
Haifa IFF 2018
Nuart Festival 2018
Châlons War On Screen 2018
Vancouver IFF 2018
Bogota IFF 2018
San Francisco Jewish FF 2018
Reykjav
Contacts
-
Main Contact
Marco Proserpio
- Company:
- Sterven Pictures
- Phone:
- +39 3404 1055 43
- Email:
- stervenpictures@gmail.com