Award-winning documentary film makes North American debut at Et Cultura St Pete Film
It’s the film that many Salvador Dalí experts may not want you to see, and it’s coming to St. Petersburg on Friday, November 17 as part of Et Cultura St Pete FILM. The movie will debut at 7:00 pm at the AMC Sundial 20 Theatre, 151 2nd Avenue North, St. Petersburg 33701.
“The Key to Dalí” details the exceptional story of a man’s 25-year journey to confirm that an antique store painting purchased in 1989 is an original Dalí painting.
The man, scientist and artist Tomeu l’Amo, invests significant time and money in his quest to authenticate the painting. During his research, he unlocks a secret numerical code that the artist claimed to have used in many of his works, shedding new light on the Dalí’s life and body of work.
Only after encountering one of the world’s leading experts on the work of Dalí, Nicholas Descharnes, is l’Amo’s suspicion confirmed. In 2015, the painting, dubbed “The Intrauterine Birth of Salvador Dalí,” is finally recognized as an authentic work by the artist. “The Key to Dalí” details this journey.
The 78-minute documentary is directed by Spanish filmmaker David Fernández, and has picked up top honors at over nine film festivals since its release in 2016. This screening at Et Cultura St Pete will mark the North American debut of the acclaimed film. The film’s producer, Lourdes Vives, along with the film’s subject, Tomeu l’Amo and Dalí art expert Nicholas Descharnes, will be on-hand for a Q-and-A session following the 7:00 pm screening to discuss the filmmaking process.
Marking its second year, Et Cultura St Pete is a multi-day festival of creative culture hosted in St. Petersburg, Florida, one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities for arts and innovation. By combining four highly curated branches within the festival—Interactive, Music, Art and Film—participants will find a unique experience that mingles inspiration, art, innovation, tech, film, music and community.
EtC StP FILM programmer Derek Horne has curated a diverse block of short films and independent features that are designed to take audiences on a journey while creating an inclusive environment where filmmakers and audiences can come together to ignite conversation and discussion. “The Key to Dalí” is just one of more than 50 feature length and short films that will be screened during the 4-day festival.
Et Cultura St Pete runs from Wednesday, November 15 to Sunday, November 19, 2017. Event badges can be purchased online at etcultura.com for $75, providing general admission access to all activities during the 4-day event. Special access VIP badges are available for $250, which offers lounge access and exclusive seating for film screenings. Discounted badges are also available to students, teachers and veterans with ID for $50.
The Dalí Museum, located in St. Petersburg and one of the largest collections of the artist’s works outside of Europe, has been invited to be an active participant in the presentation of this fascinating story of discovery. They have respectfully declined.