The Art Star and the Sudanese Twins

The Art Star and the Sudanese Twins

Produced by Pietra Brettkelly
Artworld popstar Vanessa Beecroft wants to ‘save’ orphaned Sudanese twins. But what price to her marriage, career and sanity?

Overview

Genre
Arts, Cultural History, Foreign Worlds, Human Rights, and Contemporary Issues
Synopsis

the art star and the sudanese twins follows the controversy of pop star of the art world, Vanessa Beecroft and her plans to adopt orphaned Sudanese twins. Italian Vanessa is a millionaire through her controversial artwork, and alongside the adoption process photographed herself breast-feeding the twins on the altar of the local Catholic cathedral.

She believes that coincidence led her to save the twins. But at what cost?

I’m afraid of the judgement of the people. The bishop, the dinkas, the world. Ah here she is - another white woman wants something exotic.
Vanessa

This is not the way for this world to go ahead. An American black girl may not go for a Sudanese black man. I have said it.
Bishop Mazzolari, Bishop of Rumbek

When are you going to save them this month and I will be waiting for you as I hope.
Akot Makoi, twins’ father

With Greg it’s falling apart. I am rolling off a cliff.
Vanessa

Africa - Bob Geldoff, Bono, Angelina Jolie. It’s somewhat hip to be into that cause. Saving two by extracting them from their culture. I can fill my needs by bringing them into my world? It’s too selfish.
Greg

Stage
finished
Running time
96 and 58 minutes

Credits

Production Details

Prod. Co.
PBK Limited
Country
New Zealand
Years of Production
2006-2008
Locations
USA, Sudan, Italy, Germany, London

Distribution Details

Release year
2008
Festivals
Sundance Film Festival, Hotdocs, Melbourne, Zurich, Rio, Edinburgh, New Zealand, Bergen, CPH:Dox, MOMA, Message to Man, St Petersburg
Awards
Best Editing World Documentary Competition Sundance Film Festival, Best Documentary Qantas Film Awards, Best Director EIDF Seoul, Best Documentary Whistler Film Festival Canada
Language
English, Italian, Sudanese tribal language
Subtitles
English

Photos

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