Mark Landis has been called one of the most prolific art forgers in US history. His impressive body of work spans thirty years, covering a wide range of painting styles and periods that includes 15th Century Icons, Picasso, and even Walt Disney. And while the copies could fetch impressive sums on the open market, Landis isn’t in it for money. Posing as a philanthropic donor, a grieving executor of a family member’s will, and most recently as a Jesuit priest, Landis has given away hundreds of works over the years to a staggering list of institutions across the United States. But after duping Matthew Leininger, a tenacious registrar who ultimately discovers the decades-long ruse and sets out to expose his philanthropic escapades to the art world, Landis must confront his own legacy and a chorus of museum professionals clamoring for him to stop.
ART AND CRAFT starts out as a cat-and-mouse art caper, rooted in questions of authorship and authenticity—but what emerges is an intimate story of obsession and the universal need for community, appreciation, and purpose.
Director/Producer/Cinematographer
Sam Cullman co-directed, shot and produced the Oscar®-nominated documentary, IF A TREE FALLS and was a Producer and Director of Photography on the Sundance Grand Jury prize-winning THE HOUSE I LIVE IN. Previously, his camerawork appeared in dozens of documentaries including KING CORN and WHY WE FIGHT.
Director/Producer
Jennifer Grausman directed and produced the Emmy-nominated documentary, PRESSURE COOKER. Grausman also co-produced 3 BACKYARDS, and produced six short films. Previously she was the Manager of Exhibition and Film Funding at The Museum of Modern Art.
Co-Director/Editor
Mark Becker produced, directed and edited the Independent Spirit-nominated documentary ROMANTICO, and directed and edited the Emmy-nominated film PRESSURE COOKER. He has edited several documentaries including THE LOST BOYS OF SUDAN and CIRCO.
Executive Producers
Catapult Film Fund – Lisa Kleiner Chanoff and Bonni Cohen. Catapult Film Fund provides development funding to documentary filmmakers with powerful stories, and moving storytelling, across a broad spectrum of issues and perspectives. Recent projects include: E-TEAM, THE OVERNIGHTERS, and THE KILL TEAM.
Executive Producers
Motto Pictures – Julie Goldman, Christopher Clements, Carolyn Hepburn. Recent projects include: GOD LOVES UGANDA, A PLACE AT THE TABLE, AI WEIWEI: NEVER SORRY, GIDEON’S ARMY and BUCK.
