A stylishly elegant, darkly humorous document that chronicles America’s craving for fame and fortune through one of its most outrageous addicts, “Con Artist” is relevant and in moments even funny and poignant.
Laemmle Theatres and Argot Pictures will release the docu in major cities in April 2011.
Once a legitimate art star in the 1980s New York scene, millionaire “business artist” Mark Kostabi has been hiring others to conceive and create paintings, which he then openly signs and sells as his own. Over the course of
The docu focuses on Kostabi’s current attempts to regain prominence and find happiness through fame. For him, fame is everything, an attribute he equates with admiration, friendship, and even true love.
As a character study, “Con Artist” is compelling and entertaining, and you get the impression that our “hero,” an outrageous provocateur on many levels, is highly aware of what he is doing.
The docu shows, among other things, the fine line between art and commerce when fame is concerned. “Con Artist” serves as yet another panel in a growing genre in literature and movies about American society’s obsession with achieving celebrity status at all costs—or getting close to it at all price.
Running time: 84 minutes
MPAA: Unrated