I always love to hear about scientists with deep passions for art, rather than dismissing it as useless, pretentious or a waste of money, which granted at times it can be but great art is a saver and ignitive dancer of souls, a visual and emotional recorder of history and context. Anyone with integrity knows this (wink). Someone who displayed intelligence and integrity, which is always the best combo and had a lucid eye for great art was Dr. Albert C. Barnes. A truly inspiring individual who invented Argyrol - an antiseptic used to treat venereal disease in newborns was a highly respected and accomplished man in his own field. He used the success of his discovery in 1922 to create the Barnes Foundation - an art school and education resource. He was fiercely adamant that his Foundation that was bought and developed by him was to be used solely for education and as an aid to the underprivileged. A man who could think outside of the box way ahead of others in times of racial hatred he developed some vital connections with all races and believed in helping those blighted by ignorance as much as possible. After his death, the Foundation was left wide open to his enemies and profiteers and it's the fight between them and the Friends of the Barnes that fills the body of this film. A will left after his death with educationally resourceful and empathetic wishes for the collection leads us on a contested corrupted journey within all layers of the power cake. What is the fate of this estimated $25 billion worth collection that concentrates so thickly and powerfully some of the most famous and renowned knockout works of art by Renoir, Cezanne, Matisse, Van Gogh, Rousseau, Matisse, Degas, Courbet plus many others. How will long-term enemies in Philadelphia and the context of the time affect things? Some say it's the biggest art scandal since the Second World War looting and forgery horrors. A must must watch for any art lover and as Barnes would have wished an 'education' on the power of profit in politics and charity.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1326733/
