The Next Big Thing
This satire of the art world springs from this question: What matters  more, the art or the artist? Floundering artist Gus Bishop (Chris Eigeman,Barcelona) can't get a gallery to even consider his work. Then a thief  breaks into Bishop's studio and steals one of his paintings, which--after the  thief concocts a dramatic and sorrowful life for the reclusive artist--sells for  $10,000. The lure of easy money helps the thief convince Bishop to manufacture a  hoax and turn this fictional artist into an art star. Before long, Bishop finds  monstrous success that he can't take any credit for, and a girlfriend who dumped  him when he was a failure decides to blackmail him for a share of the loot.  ThoughThe Next Big Thinghas some lapses in logic, Eigeman's unique  combination of innocence and cynicism carry the film along.--Bret Fetzer