The Modigliani Affair

"When a lie becomes a masterpiece"

2026 1h 15m IT

Documentary

Synopsis

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Livorno, summer 1984. Three sculpted heads emerge from the water. The art world hails them as authentic works by Modigliani. The only problem is: they are fakes. This is the incredible story of a hoax that spiraled out of control. The story of a fraud. The story of a death under circumstances that were never fully explained. One of the greatest art scandals of all time. One of the most intricate mysteries in the history of art—and, at the same time, a crystal-clear example of how a beautiful lie can always overpower, and be preferred to, any reality.

“When a lie becomes a masterpiece”

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Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Luca Rea
Writers: Luca Rea, Flavio Nuccitelli
Languages: Italian

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

RUNTIME

Did you know

Tight 75-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

ERA

Did you know

Released this year — you're seeing it while it's still in the cultural conversation.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

RUNTIME

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Luca Rea, shot by Leone Orfeo. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Stuart Mabey shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "When a lie becomes a masterpiece".

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

TMDB lists current status as "In Production".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Luca Rea directs. Leone Orfeo behind the camera. Stuart Mabey cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Dialogue in Italian.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Tight 75-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.
2Released this year — you're seeing it while it's still in the cultural conversation.
3Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
4Directed by Luca Rea, shot by Leone Orfeo. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Editor Stuart Mabey shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Marketing tagline: "When a lie becomes a masterpiece".
7TMDB lists current status as "In Production".