Steven Soderbergh’s new film, The Christophers, explores the complexities of artistic legacy and authenticity through the story of Julian Sklar, a fictional washed-up artist played by Ian McKellen. The plot follows Sklar’s children as they hire an art restorer, played by Michaela Coel, to secretly finish their father’s legendary unfinished series to capitalize on his market value. To ground the film in reality, screenwriter Ed Solomon consulted with art world figures like dealer George Barker and artists Jann Haworth and Derek Boshier, while production designer Antonia Lowe and painter Barnaby Gorton created the physical artworks seen on screen.
The film’s release is accompanied by high-profile collaborations with the actual art world, including a panel discussion at Sotheby��s and talks featuring contemporary artists like Jamian Juliano-Villani and Martine Syms. By focusing on the tension between an artist's creative integrity and the commercial demands of the market, the project highlights the often-opaque relationship between artists and their assistants. The production's decision to create a tangible, fabled oeuvre for a fictional character reflects a growing cinematic interest in the mechanics of the art market and the definition of a 'masterpiece.'