cinatlas every frame has a place
The Desert of Forbidden Art poster
Now showing

The Desert of Forbidden Art 2011

★ 4.7 1h 20m HistoryDocumentary
IMDB ↗

How does art survive in a time of oppression? During the Soviet rule artists who stay true to their vision are executed, sent to mental hospitals or Gulags. Their plight inspires young Igor Savitsky. He pretends to buy state-approved art but instead daringly rescues 40,000 forbidden fellow artist's works and creates a museum in the desert of Uzbekistan, far from the watchful eyes of the KGB. Though a penniless artist himself, he cajoles the cash to pay for the art from the same authorities who are banning it. Savitsky amasses an eclectic mix of Russian Avant-Garde art. But his greatest discovery is an unknown school of artists who settle in Uzbekistan after the Russian revolution of 1917, encountering a unique Islamic culture, as exotic to them as Tahiti was for Gauguin. They develop a startlingly original style, fusing European modernism with centuries-old Eastern traditions.

Where to watch US

Which of these do you already pay for? Type your streaming services and the ones your subscription covers turn green below.

Comma-separated. Saved only in this browser, never sent anywhere.

Rent or buy

  • Amazon Video rent · buy
  • Apple TV Store rent · buy
  • Google Play Movies rent · buy
  • YouTube rent · buy
All watch options ↗

On location

No pins on the map for this one yet. Check IMDB filming locations ↗

The cast

More like this