China's Van Goghs: The Village That Paints Thousands Of Fakes A Year 

this!! and people know it's not the real thing anyway so it's not like they were deceiving people which is the implication with the word "fake"

Its more of “Reproduce” rather than fake. These Chinese artists, are talented. Just like him but in different era. Salute to all of them! ❤

@@peachbooks3199 this, that and the other

nahhh, if it's Chinese it's fake.

WTF

Well said!

Second that... my sentiments exactly...

Why would you even buy one…horrendous.

@@banjopete They were actually pretty good. Of course not like an original...but not horrible either. He seemed passionate about making subtle changes to them to make them more authentic.

@@banjopete Why? Because it is better than a poster! Lol

where is full documentary? I want to see it...

lol he will fix that dw

@@OfficialGOD he probably is going to open his own shop now he has seen where/how they are sold. also he has seen the real deal, he can pain in more details (color/accuracy/strokes etc...) and he can possibly make his own in van gogh and any other artist styles combines. and maybe be appreciated 50-100 years down the line

Isn't this the full documentary? It seems longer than the one on 'SBS on demand'. Or is this a documentary about the documentary?

@@WillLiang I'm not sure. I first saw this one, then searched elsewhere for the missing museum sequence. I found it on SBS, and just skimmed through it to find the sequence. Not sure why this one is longer. Maybe they made different versions for varying reasons.

Thank You

Well, not a "descendant," given that Vincent had no children. More like a very distant cousin?

I couldn't agree more when he painted his grandmother and his studio. Hats off to a brilliant artist who survives for his family. I was really moved towards watching the end bit

@@green74 my father Hendrik van Gogh is descended from Vincent’s Father’s brother. In other words, Vincent had an Uncle Hendrik van Gogh, and that is my father’s great great grandfather

@@kathyvangogh4034 - That's really interesting, but "descendant of" implies a direct line of descent. By your description, Vincent van Gogh would be your *first cousin* (i.e., your first cousin, four times removed: or put another way, your great great great grandfather's nephew). Coincidentally, I too have a famous first cousin, born in the same year (and month) as Vincent van Gogh: Howard Pyle (1853-1911) - painter, illustrator, novelist, and art teacher. He is my first cousin, three times removed (my great great grandfather's nephew). Howard Pyle's work was admired by Vincent van Gogh, who mentions Pyle about a dozen times in his collected correspondence.

I cried a lot too..this was tough to watch. Makes you realize that fame is just luck; there are countless people that can and do what you do. They just don't get the recognition.

Because they are fakes. And they ARE trying to pass these off as genuine.

@@debravanausdale1063 Don't be silly. Impossible to pass off thousands of copies of famous paintings as originals. For a start modern pigments will be almost entirely different.

@@philiptownsend4026 I'm not silly. They are fakes, and I don't care one whit if they are framed as "reproductions." They are NOT, they are simply cheap fakes.

Then don’t watch and leave us alone

@@artelc Oh, who is this “us” that you’re speaking for?

In my experience, most of the "copy painters" aren't "true" Artist-they are just beings with impressive technical skills-capable of, well, copying. I've know painters and even photographers like this. When these men have attempted to make original work-it was bad. In time, it became obvious to me that there are two kinds of painters (photographers);" those who are actual Artist-have good-quality-interesting-original thoughts/ideas and those who have the technical skills-to copy the work of others (or to use lighting and cameras to reproduce the techniques of others) . Overwhelmingly, most of these people fall into the latter category. This is not meant as an insult. It's an observation about different sets of innate abilities. I fall into the first group. My technical skills are no where as good/great as these painters but my original ideas are (according to others) pretty good. I respect both but will not call the latter group, "Artist."

You have very well described my thoughts

@@leonardodalongisland limited only by their slave status which includes no time to enjoy life and exercise their imagination from the childhood onwards. Tneir only training and obligation is to working hard. Really sad.

@@OdysseusMDA First; they chose these jobs. I don’t recall seeing anything about them being forced (slavery) to take a job as a painter. Yes the hours are demanding and unacceptable n by Western standards-but that’s typic life for these people. Second, my point has little to do with one’s “life conditions.” You may not know or understand this but an Artist is born-not made. He/she is born with creative abilities above and beyond those of “mortal men” (Superman reference). These individuals, sometimes, go on to acquire technical skills which enhance their innate abilities improving their natural skills. Technical skills add to the abilities of naturally-creative individuals. You can spend years (as these people do) learning the technical skills which may (and does in their cases) result in amazing-copy art but one will not become naturally creative (emphasis on the word, “naturally”). You can spend twenty years teaching technical basketball skills to a man who is five-foot-three inches and eighty pounds overweight, he will never be a professional or even college player. Why? Because he wasn’t born with body of a professional player nor does he posses the natural-athletic abilities. He may acquire the technical skills but he’ll never have the finesse or athletic mind or creativity that is required to be a top level athlete. For the most part, these people fall into the above category (not because of their race or circumstances but because of the “numbers”). Only X number of people on the planet are born with the innate abilities to be professional athletes or a True Artist. It’s not an insult to say, “That person doesn’t have the skills to be a pro athlete, or to be a True artist.” It’s a fact. End of my argument…But I do want to say, I have great respect-as a man and (in his case) Artist for the main "character" in this documentary and I would say he is an Artist.

@calamaresfrito Tell that to the hundreds of Artist I've know and know in my life.

same here

Glad I’m not the only one feeling the same!

I like your name, Nelson. All of art history is our foundation. And man o man do we have a hard act to follow. Those old masters kicked ass. Shoot for the stars, but be happy with making it to the moon.

As Australian Vietnamese I can see so many poignant moments from when his daughter cry cause she felt disconnected, to his shock of the souvenirs booth to his own work at the end… so touching. We took for granted what some people can only dream of the life we’re living.

starving artist.....usually don't get recognized until dead.

Pay much they get drunk

Gambling

he sell for 8 euro, which is sold for 30. yeah there is difference, but he forget the guy pay rent in euro and living costs in euro too, also the shipping cost? i doubt it is cheap. all considered probably comes to 50/50 . it is not like the guy spends his earnings in yuan in Netherlands. no body complains when apple makes things for 200 and sells for 1000+ or nike making things for 20 and selling them over 150! yeah europeans enjoys cheap cost of labor from china but it is what it is. i think it is fair trade as long as both parties agree things up front and child labor is not used/abused.

Every artis have miserable life until they passed away.

I am actually quite glad to hear the comment. Yes it must have been quite hurtful to hear but it also illustrated everyone’s different values in life. A master piece can’t be summarized with a click of a button.

Very true. A photograph can NEVER capture a paintings beauty.

nah, dude in the car was joking. you hear his "hehe"

That exact comment has been made to many painters by many bystanders who are completely out of touch with expressing themselves. The correct reply is "Taking a picture is what a Google Maps Camera Car is for. I'm here to express how I feel and capture it in my artwork. You sound like the type who buys an inflatable doll instead of making a life with a real woman." THAT is the reply for people who make comments like that.

Zhao needs a real partner. A collective studio in the US that guaranteed artist happiness before all else....

Wonderful assessment of the film and the realities behind it. Thanks, Ronn

what a summary

I think van would have relished in the fact that thousands of Chinese people are sweating in hallways every day copying his art works. I would have had a giggle if i was Van Gogh.

@@barristanselmy2758 have you ever read Van Gogh's letters? he was a very sensitive man.....and used art as a means of expression.....he would not approve of a bunch of non-talented artists duplicating his work.....nor would any real artist....there is simply no value to this junk.....except for people who collect junk

he wanted a colony of artists...not a colony of forgers..devoid of any artistic skill

​@@jadezee6316 Did you even watch the film?

@@jadezee6316 Definitely you have no idea what life is when you are poor, the guy didn’t have money for school then took on painting job to support himself and family! An honest man who works hard and here people like you complaining his work! He may not be an artist by choice but he takes his work best he can! He shows the world he didn’t take a short cut in life, something we all can learn from! Watch the video and you may appreciate his art!

Glad you enjoyed it!

I agree! 100%!

watch this document till the end . i almost cry when Zhao realize he must have his own painting. Glad he come this far

It was an interesting segment of the documentary I came away with two ah ha thoughts about that scene, first the employer employees relationship and the struggle of earning a living in China and also as an artist and the demand put upon the skills that it takes to make something by hand, especially in a workshop/ sweatshop condition. Second, the artist in training with the master the eye of the master seeing in a moment with the trained eye the mis-takes of the let's say apprentice and the frustrating emotional response of the "apprentice" the knowing of the master that he has hit a plateau which happens and trys by forceful language to make him push through. Whether for the paycheck or livelyhood the guy has to stick with it. Does he succeed does he become more proficient? And does he earn a living working as ant artist artisan?

I think the full version of the documentary included scenes where he visited the museum, or at least it's included in the trailer. He looked at the original for a long time, and said "The colour is different" ......

Agree 💯. It was heartbreaking when he realised how much profit the Dutch merchant was making out of his paintings!

That exact comment, "just take a picture", has been made to many painters by many bystanders who are completely out of touch with expressing themselves. The correct reply is "Taking a picture is what a Google Maps Camera Car is for. I'm expressing how I feel and capturing it in my artwork. You sound like the type who buys an inflatable doll instead of making a life with a real woman." THAT is the reply for people who make ignorant comments like that.

Is there a website for this?

Dude I cried 😢 too because look how talented he is

Is that where Van Gogh shot himself?

@@karlabritfeld7104 No. That he shot himself is a popular fallacy. His work was going well and he was just starting to achieve recognition. He had good reasons to be optimistic. He never mentioned anything to do with guns in his letters to brother Theo and he did not own or have any need of a gun, a kind gentle, intelligent, academic, and compassionate man, guns would have revolted him. No gun was ever found and connected with his shooting. And moreso, many years after Vincent's death a man on his deathbed confessed to shooting Vincent while he and another small boy were playing with a gun. That story is much more credible and it fits the facts much better than suicide does. Rest in peace Vincent.

Yea shorted sighted humans' motto

What is the name of the documentary on the high end wallpaper manufacturer? Does anyone know please? Thanks.