ART AND CRAFT | THE MARK LANDIS STORY

Cinemavixion Review

In "Art and Craft: The Mark Landis Story," directors Sam Cullman, Jennifer Grausman, and Mark Becker present a fascinating portrait of Mark Landis, an individual who achieved notoriety as one of the most prolific art forgers in American history. For three decades, Landis masterfully created convincing replicas of artworks spanning centuries, from Renaissance masters to Picasso, baffling curators nationwide. What makes Landis's story particularly intriguing is his unconventional approach; rather than profiting financially, he donated his forgeries, often adopting elaborate personas like a Jesuit priest or a benefactor. The documentary chronicles the pursuit of Landis by Matthew Leininger, a registrar who was himself a victim of Landis's deception years prior. What starts as a pursuit evolves into a complex and surprising narrative, underscoring the adage that truth can indeed be stranger than fiction.