Ciné Club: Auction by Pascal Bonitzer

Join us for a screening of Pascal Bonitzer’s acclaimed Auction (Le tableau volé), a sharp, witty, and engrossing drama inspired by remarkable true events.

André Masson (Alex Lutz), a renowned Parisian auctioneer, receives an unexpected tip: a painting by Austrian Expressionist Egon Schiele has been discovered in the home of a young factory worker in Mulhouse.

When André and fellow art expert Bertina (Léa Drucker) discover that the painting may be authentic, they are drawn into the complex world of the international art market and the legacy of Nazi-looted art. With an outstanding ensemble cast and Bonitzer’s incisive dialogue, the film moves deftly between mystery, comedy, and moral drama, exploring questions of ownership, memory, and what happens when the value of a work of art collides with the weight of its past.

Following the screening, stay for a discussion led by Jennifer Cazenave, Associate Professor of French at Boston University and affiliated faculty in Cinema & Media Studies and the Elie Wiesel Center for Jewish Studies. Her talk will explore the spoliation of art during World War II, questions of restitution and memory, and how cinema has represented these issues.

Watch the trailer

The evening will include a reception where guests can connect and share their thoughts over a glass of wine and complimentary pop-corn.

Movie in French with English subtitles.

Praise for The Stolen Painting

“Sharp, elegant and funny.” — Le Figaro

“Both instructive and entertaining… a candid look at the ferocious world of the art market.” — Franceinfo Culture

“Sharp and witty… A subtle, ironic, and intelligent exploration of the intersections between art, history, and commerce.” — Télérama

“A sophisticated and compelling character study and mystery… fascinating to watch.” — ABC Radio National