Saturday, October 11, 2014

F for Fake (1973): Orson Welles and Art Forgery


F for Fake (1973)
Brief Review by Travis Simpkins

     Written and directed by Orson Welles, F for Fake (1973) was his final completed film. The pseudo-documentary focuses on the nature of forgeries and illusions. A unique effort, it has been described as a "Film Essay." The movie features noted Art forger Elmyr de Hory, who claimed to have hundreds of his work unwittingly hanging in museums, and specialized in faking the works of Matisse, Picasso and Modigliani.  Howard Hughes hoax biographer Clifford Irving appears as well. Orson Welles, himself famous for the radio "War of the Worlds" broadcast hoax, serves as an excellent guide. Oja Kodar, Welles' sexy girlfriend, appears in her own fake vignette involving Pablo Picasso. Joseph Cotten appears briefly as well.



Orson Welles: F for Fake

Elmyr de Hory: F for Fake

Clifford Irving: F for Fake

: F for Fake

Elmyr de Hory: F for Fake

Orson Welles: F for Fake

Elmyr de Hory paints a Matisse: F for Fake

Clifford Irving: F for Fake

Orson Welles: F for Fake

Oja Kodar: F for Fake

Oja Kodar: F for Fake

Oja Kodar: F for Fake

Oja Kodar: F for Fake

Oja Kodar: F for Fake

Oja Kodar: F for Fake

Oja Kodar: F for Fake

"F for Fake"- movie trailer