Thu 3 Dec 6.30pm

Duke of York’s Picturehouse

DIRECTOR: Duncan Ward. STARRING: Gillian Anderson, Alan Cumming, Heather Graham, Danny Huston, Christopher Lee, Joanna Lumley, Jaime Winstone, Stellan Skarsgaard. UK 2009. 90mins

Many familiar faces pop up in BOOGIE WOOGIE, Duncan Ward’s satirical and playful jab at the art-dealing world. Adapted by Danny Moynihan from his own novel about the 90s New York art scene, the action is shifted to London with  Damian Hirst contributing as art curator for the film, providing pieces to give an authentic feel of the era. The story pivots on a rare Mondrian painting called Boogie Woogie, which is owned by the ailing Alfred Rhinegold (Christopher Lee) and desired by disreputable art dealer Art Spindle (Danny Huston) and prolific collector Bob Macclestone (Stellan Skarsgaard). Although fictitious, certain characters bare striking resemblances to the art set at the time, notably Jaime Winstone’s turn as an artist whose autobiographical art pieces focus on her sexual conquests. In the vein of Robert Altman’s interweaving ensemble films, Ward lightens the web of corruption with tongue-in-cheek humour and caricatures; sending up the bed-hopping and desperation that bring these players of the art world together.