The Painter

The painter Albert Oehlen welcomes us to his studio to share his creative process. We see him struggling, muttering, philosophising. Finally, the work is finished. Except… the man with the brushes is not Oehlen, but actor Ben Becker playing Oehlen and directed by the artist himself. Is Oehlen the author of the painting, or is it Becker, who executes the idea in this documentary genre bender? What implications does this have for aesthetic, financial, and ethical value of the artwork? The interplay between irony and authenticity is sometimes hilarious, and mercilessly undermines the myth of the genius artist.