DRG, a NENT Studios company, announces that it has built on its longstanding relationship with ZCZ Films by acquiring the rights to two of its new documentary series, both commissioned by BBC Four.
ZCZ Films is the independent production company founded by presenter, art expert, and Sunday Times art critic, Waldemar Januszczak. It specializes in producing a broad range of accessible arts programming, with Januszczak often featuring as presenter.
“Handmade in Bolton” (4x30’) tells the incredible story of Shaun Greenhalgh, one of Britain’s most prolific art forgers, as he now uses his unique skills to keep alive secrets of the ancients. Working from a shed at his parents’ house, he fooled experts for three decades, selling an impressive array of fakes to museums and auction houses all over the world – everything from Roman plates to Gauguin sculptures. After a spell in prison, he decided to use his talent for good and has now teamed up with Dr. Janina Ramirez, an Oxford University historian, to recreate incredible artefacts from the past. Focusing on a different object in each episode - a Visigoth jewelled brooch, a pre-Reformation alabaster carving, a Renaissance animal plate, and a 10th century rock crystal Islamic bottle - we follow Shaun as he sources accurate raw materials and works his magic to create authentic versions of these objects lost to time.
“The Art Mysteries” (4x30’) sees Waldemar Januszczak embark on a forensic and far-reaching investigation into four great paintings, created by some of the best-known artists of all time. By highlighting subtle clues, new meanings, and hidden messages, he delivers a fascinating new perspective on each of these great works of art and encourages a reappraisal both of the artist and the familiar canvas. The paintings featured are Gauguin’s ‘The Vision After the Sermon’, Van Gogh’s ‘Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear’, Seurat’s ‘Les Poseuses’, and Cézanne’s haunting masterpiece ‘The Card Players’.
DRG can also announce that its last acquisition from ZCZ Films, Made in the USA (3x60’), which explores the golden age of American art, has been in demand. Deals have recently been concluded with Histoire (France), Yleisradio Oy (Finland), Sky TV (New Zealand), Sky Italia (Italy), PTS (Taiwan) and P&P Permissions for Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia.
Mette Kanne-Behrendsen, DRG’s SVP acquisitions comments: Waldemar and the team at ZCZ Films have a real talent for identifying engaging arts subjects and then creating compelling programming that works for international audiences. The Art Mysteries provides an insightful new look at some of the world’s most famous paintings, while Handmade in Bolton is a truly fascinating story of an art forger using his skills for good.”
Waldemar Januszczak from ZCZ Films adds: “DRG has proved an excellent partner for ZCZ Films over the years and we continue to reap the benefit of the team’s support and knowledge, both in the early stages of content development as well as out in the international marketplace.”
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