Photograph: Publicity image
There’s a steepled-fingers argument to be had about whether live-event or gallery movies can ever compare to the thrill of seeing things for real and, furthermore, whether they undermine the in-person culture economy. The counter-argument, of course, is that these event films extend an opera/play/show’s reach and give access to an audience who would otherwise never get to experience it, even at one remove. Well, this is something the estimable Exhibition on Screen brand has no doubt had to confront over the years; by combining insightful critical commentary as well as suitably graceful in-gallery camerawork, their films operate as a watchable counterpoint to the live experience – as well as, more often than not, moving beyond a single-exhibition focus, like their recent overview of contemporary Japanese art.
All this is a little more moot, however, with their new film, which releases in cinemas while its parent show, the London National Gallery’s winter blockbuster Van Gogh: Poets & Lovers, still has weeks to run. Presumably the National’s powers-that-be see no threat to visitor numbers; rather like the FA Cup final, a landmark Van Gogh exhibition is surely big enough to ensure a sellout whatever the ancillary coverage. It’s also been getting rave reviews – including five stars from both the Guardian and the Observer’s critics – which will no doubt supercharge this film’s chances in cinemas.
