The Oligarch and the Art Dealers Investigate Hidden Transactions of the Ultra Wealthy

      Andreas Dalsgaard’s docuseries *The Oligarch and the Art Dealer* provides a captivating exploration of the obscure channels through which money circulates globally.

      Co-created with Christoph Jorg, this three-part documentary focuses on two individuals: Dmitry Rybolovlev, a Russian billionaire who built his wealth in the fertilizer industry and spent a year in prison due to murder accusations from which he was later exonerated; and Yves Bouvier, a Swiss art dealer who created a business around art freeports—high-security storage facilities for the ultra-wealthy to store and sell assets while evading taxes and duties. Together, they curated one of the world's most significant private art collections, with Rybolovlev investing part of his $6.7 billion fortune in iconic masterpieces by Rothko, Modigliani, Klimt, Picasso, and da Vinci, while Bouvier facilitated these transactions for a commission.

      Their partnership thrived for over a decade; Rybolovlev reportedly spent around $2 billion on art, motivated by a desire to differentiate himself from fellow billionaires like Elon Musk. However, in 2015, conflict arose when Rybolovlev accused Bouvier of secretly inflating prices by $1 billion. Bouvier maintained that he had acted fairly. The docuseries does not focus on who was at fault but uses legal documents—emails, text messages, and financial records—uncovered during litigation to illustrate the lives of the ultra-wealthy. It offers a glimpse into the exclusive realm of billionaires, resulting in a three-hour experience that is both engrossing and infuriating. In the series, Bouvier participates in interviews, while Rybolovlev is represented by his lawyers and former financial director. Journalists and art dealers who collaborated with Bouvier help explain the legalities in simpler terms, revealing the hidden dynamics of the extremely affluent.

      Dalsgaard screened all three episodes of *The Oligarch and the Art Dealer* at the 23rd Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival (CPH:DOX), with the series’ first episode debuting at Sundance. We spoke to Dalsgaard about the challenges of creating a narrative without a clear protagonist and what makes *The Oligarch and the Art Dealer* resonate with Shakespearean themes.

      **Director Andreas Dalsgaard on Creating *The Oligarch and the Art Dealer***

      **MovieMaker:** Was it challenging to develop a series focused on two characters you don’t entirely trust?

      **Andreas Dalsgaard:** From my perspective as a storyteller, that was particularly intriguing because it revolves around a story involving billions at stake. The main figures, Bouvier and Rybolovlev, are unreliable due to the immense stakes involved, so they cannot convey the truth. As filmmakers, and as you, the audience, we become pieces in this game, which is not only contested in courts and through lawyers but also about controlling and manipulating narratives. I found it compelling to craft the story in a way that allows the audience to engage with that game and comprehend its nature and how to navigate it.

      **MovieMaker:** There isn't a true hero to support in *The Oligarch and the Art Dealer*. How did you handle this, and was it difficult?

      **Andreas Dalsgaard:** Yes and no. It’s a narrative about two privileged middle-aged white men with excessive wealth, so one might question why it matters who prevails. Yet, on another level, the series offers a distinct look into a world we typically only observe at a superficial level, often through glamorous images of yachts in St. Bart’s, Monaco, or Miami shared on social media, without grasping the underlying reality. There is a significant support structure catering to these affluent individuals, obscuring what truly occurs. Viewed from a distance, the story takes on an almost Shakespearean quality.

      **MovieMaker:** In what way?

      **Andreas Dalsgaard:** Shakespeare’s tales often feature kings and dukes, whose greed or complex human traits lead to their downfall. This series is highly relevant as it aids in understanding the constructs of our current world while also serving as an engaging drama filled with deceit and manipulation.

      **MovieMaker:** Did you ever feel that Rybolovlev’s and Bouvier’s associates were using you to support their public narratives?

      **Andreas Dalsgaard:** They were certainly utilizing us, which is common in many stories of this nature, where the media serves as a tool. Our responsibility as filmmakers is to leverage that for the film's benefit, ensuring that they share their narratives on camera, and then it's our task to present a balanced and accurate portrayal.

      You can find more coverage of our film festival here.

      Main image: *The Oligarch and the Art Dealer*.

      Editor’s Note: Corrects main image.