Watch There Are No Fakes

There Are No Fakes is a powerful documentary that delves into the world of Indigenous art and exposes the seedy underbelly of the Canadian art market. The film follows the story of renowned Canadian musician Kevin Hearn, who found himself embroiled in a scandal involving the purchase of a painting by Norval Morrisseau, a celebrated Indigenous artist.

Hearn, who is a huge fan of Morrisseau's work, purchased the painting for over $20,000 from a dealer named Gary Lamont. Lamont is a well-known figure in the Toronto art world and claimed that the painting was an original Morrisseau. However, when the painting was submitted to the Morrisseau family for authentication, they declared it to be a fake. Hearn was devastated to learn that the painting he had purchased was not what he thought it was and he set out to expose Lamont's fraud.

The film takes a deep dive into the complex and murky world of Indigenous art, exploring issues of cultural appropriation, exploitation, and forgery. It highlights the ways in which Indigenous artists have been taken advantage of by non-Indigenous dealers and collectors, who have profited from their work without offering any support or recognition to the artists themselves.

The film is also a tribute to the life and work of Norval Morrisseau, who was a hugely influential figure in the Indigenous art world. Morrisseau, who passed away in 2007, created a whole new style of Indigenous art that incorporated traditional iconography with modern techniques. His work is highly sought after and commands high prices on the art market. However, his legacy has been tarnished by the prevalence of forgeries, which have flooded the market in recent years.

There Are No Fakes features interviews with a range of experts on Indigenous art, including members of the Morrisseau family, scholars, and curators. They provide insights into the cultural and artistic significance of Morrisseau's work and the ways in which it has been distorted by the art market.

The film also follows the story of Jonathon Sommer, a detective with the Toronto Police Service who became involved in the case. Sommer was tasked with investigating Lamont's business practices and he discovered a web of deception and fraud that went far beyond the Morrisseau painting. Sommer's investigation ultimately led to Lamont's arrest and the seizure of thousands of works of alleged Indigenous art.

There Are No Fakes is a compelling and thought-provoking film that raises important questions about the relationship between Indigenous art and the broader art market. It exposes the ways in which Indigenous artists have been exploited, and the extent to which their work has been appropriated and commodified. The film argues that it is time for the art world to recognize the value and importance of Indigenous art and to provide greater support and recognition to Indigenous artists. Ultimately, it is a call to action for all those who care about Indigenous culture and creativity.

There Are No Fakes is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 54 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.