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Documentary 'Follow the Paintings' Exposes Art Market's Dark Side

other · 2026-05-05

The documentary 'Follow the Paintings,' directed by Francesca Sironi, Alberto Gottardo, and Paolo Fantauzzi, investigates the dark side of the art market, focusing on money laundering, tax evasion, and organized crime. It presents two concrete cases: one involving Roman criminality and contemporary art, linked to notorious figures Gennaro Mokbel and Massimo Carminati; the other set in Milan, where 'ndrangheta profits were laundered through 17th-century paintings. Experts, curators, and investors comment, including Andrea Bellini, director of the Centre d'Art Contemporain in Geneva. The film is part of Sky's 'Il racconto del reale' series, airing Sundays on Sky Atlantic HD and available on demand.

Key facts

  • Documentary 'Follow the Paintings' directed by Francesca Sironi, Alberto Gottardo, and Paolo Fantauzzi
  • Explores money laundering, tax evasion, and organized crime in the art market
  • First case: Roman criminality and contemporary art involving Gennaro Mokbel and Massimo Carminati
  • Second case: Milan, 'ndrangheta profits laundered through 17th-century paintings
  • Features commentary from experts including Andrea Bellini, director of Centre d'Art Contemporain in Geneva
  • Part of Sky's 'Il racconto del reale' series on Sky Atlantic HD
  • Available on demand on Sky channels
  • Published on Artribune

Entities

Institutions

  • Sky
  • Sky Atlantic HD
  • Centre d'Art Contemporain de Genève
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Rome
  • Milan
  • Geneva
  • Switzerland
  • Italy

Sources