Watch The Desert of Forbidden Art

The Desert of Forbidden Art is a 2010 documentary film that tells the story of Igor Savitsky, a Russian avant-garde artist and collector who risked his life to save the creative works of others during the Soviet era. The film is directed by Amanda Pope and Tchavdar Georgiev and features a narration by actor Ben Kingsley. Set in Soviet Uzbekistan, the film explores the career of Savitsky, who is said to have collected over 40,000 pieces of art during his lifetime, much of which would have been destroyed or lost had it not been rescued by Savitsky. The film tracks the artist's journey from his early days as a painter to his eventual efforts to build a museum that could showcase the works of others who had been persecuted by the Soviet government.

The Desert of Forbidden Art explores the challenges of being a creative person in a society that does not value art or artists. We see the struggles of those whose work was deemed too "decadent" by Soviet authorities and were subsequently denied funding, exhibitions, or the ability to sell their work. The film also showcases the diversity of artistic expression that was being created during the period, including bold new ways of painting, sculpture, and film-making.

One of the most fascinating elements of the film is the way it explores the tensions between the creative spirit and the power of state authorities. Savitsky is shown to be a fiercely independent artist who was determined to build a space where others could also be creative without fear of persecution. However, his efforts were often thwarted by officials who saw modern art as an act of subversion.

The film also features interviews with several people whose lives were touched by Savitsky, including Edward Asner, who plays Savitsky in reenactments of key moments in the artist's life. Asner's portrayal of Savitsky is both sympathetic and complex, showing a man who was deeply committed to his art and his vision of what art should be, despite the significant risks involved.

Overall, The Desert of Forbidden Art is a moving exploration of a complicated artistic legacy. It sheds light on the creative spirit that survived even in the darkest of times and celebrates the power of art to transcend barriers of time, space, and culture. For anyone interested in the history of modern art or the intersection of art and politics, this film is not to be missed.

The Desert of Forbidden Art is a 2010 history movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 75.