Velvet Buzzsaw

About Velvet Buzzsaw

Velvet Buzzsaw is a 2019 thriller film directed by Dan Gilroy. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Zawe Ashton, and Toni Collette. It tells the story of a group of art professionals who become obsessed with the haunting paintings of a recently deceased artist.

Explore

• About
• Making / Production
• Actors
• Trivia / Interesting Facts
• Awards
• Quotes
• Music
• Soundtrack

About

The film revolves around the competitive and cutthroat world of the art industry. After a series of mysterious paintings by an unknown artist are discovered, the characters in the film find themselves entangled in a world of supernatural influence and greed. As they pursue their personal and professional desires, they are confronted with the consequences of their actions and the dark power that lies within the art itself.

Velvet Buzzsaw delves into themes of ambition, authenticity, and the corrupting influence of the art market. The film combines elements of thriller and horror with dark humor, creating a unique and thought-provoking viewing experience.

Making / Production

The film was written and directed by Dan Gilroy, who previously gained critical acclaim for his work on Nightcrawler (2014). Velvet Buzzsaw marks Gilroy's second collaboration with actors Jake Gyllenhaal and Rene Russo.

The production of the film took place in Los Angeles. The art world depicted in the film was meticulously created, with attention to detail given to the set designs and artwork. The film features a mix of real and fictional artwork, with artists and collectors providing pieces for the production.

Actors

• Jake Gyllenhaal as Morf Vandewalt - Gyllenhaal delivers a compelling performance as the ambitious and eccentric art critic.
• Rene Russo as Rhodora Haze - Russo plays the powerful gallery owner who becomes obsessed with the mysterious paintings.
• Zawe Ashton as Josephina - Ashton portrays the ambitious assistant who discovers the paintings and sets off a chain of events.
• Toni Collette as Gretchen - Collette takes on the role of an art curator who becomes entangled in the supernatural events.
• Tom Sturridge as Jon Dondon - Sturridge plays a rival art dealer who competes for success in the art world.
• John Malkovich as Piers - Malkovich portrays a troubled artist who becomes entangled in the chaos.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film's title, Velvet Buzzsaw, refers to a fictional punk rock band from the 1980s in the film.
• The paintings featured in the film were created by artist Sam Ameglio, and they were manipulated through visual effects to bring them to life.
• Director Dan Gilroy was inspired to explore the dark side of the art world after a visit to an exhibition of works by an unknown artist.

Awards

Velvet Buzzsaw received critical acclaim for its performances and unique take on the thriller genre. While it didn't win any major awards, the film was praised for its originality and social commentary.

Quotes

• "Critique is so limiting and emotionally draining." - Morf Vandewalt
• "I don't know if it's art, but I like it." - Jon Dondon
• "I've always been considered the middle ground between genius and disaster." - Vetril Dease

Music

The musical score for Velvet Buzzsaw was composed by Marco Beltrami. The score enhances the tension and eerie atmosphere of the film, heightening its thrilling elements.

Soundtrack

The film also features a selection of popular songs, including:

• "Wild Boys" by Duran Duran
• "Psycho Killer" by Talking Heads
• "Planet Earth" by Duran Duran