Born into a family of art restorers, Sarah has grown up with a sharp eye for form and colour. While working as an intern in Paris, Sarah accidentally discovers that her mentor (also her lover) has been painting copies of famous paintings. Fearing that he might be involved in forgery, she returns to her home country of Belgium. However, she finds it hard to let go of her suspicions...
As a Belgian I'm always fond of pointing out interesting movies coming from Belgium. Sadly I find it difficult to recommend "Vanitas". It's got oodles of both style and ambition, but it doesn't have all that much to say about its core subject, to wit art and art forgery. This is quite surprising, since at least a number of the makers have a respectable background in the visual or literary arts. Moreover, when it comes to thriller plots, "Vanitas" is not the sharpest knife in the box. An additional twist or a better ending might have made a world of difference.
Still, the performances are good and there are fine locations to admire.
If you, dear reader, are interested in a genuine mystery regarding art and the city of Ghent, feel free to look up the story of the marvellous medieval painting known as "Het lam Gods" (the lamb of God). An unknown thief stole part of the painting, to wit the segment devoted to the "righteous judges". The tale of the missing segment still stands as one of the greatest puzzles in the criminal history of Belgium.
As a Belgian I'm always fond of pointing out interesting movies coming from Belgium. Sadly I find it difficult to recommend "Vanitas". It's got oodles of both style and ambition, but it doesn't have all that much to say about its core subject, to wit art and art forgery. This is quite surprising, since at least a number of the makers have a respectable background in the visual or literary arts. Moreover, when it comes to thriller plots, "Vanitas" is not the sharpest knife in the box. An additional twist or a better ending might have made a world of difference.
Still, the performances are good and there are fine locations to admire.
If you, dear reader, are interested in a genuine mystery regarding art and the city of Ghent, feel free to look up the story of the marvellous medieval painting known as "Het lam Gods" (the lamb of God). An unknown thief stole part of the painting, to wit the segment devoted to the "righteous judges". The tale of the missing segment still stands as one of the greatest puzzles in the criminal history of Belgium.
