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Rembrandt's Keys

“Rembrandt’s Keys” unlocks a secret kept for 400 years and reveals coded messages in Rembrandt's art revealing his membership in an underground fraternity. With this new “key” the film takes the viewers on a journey exploring the Master’s art and life in a new and unexpected way. “Rembrandt’s Keys” demonstrates the veiled significance behind Rembrandt’s name related to his profound interest in the mysterious subject of light and dark. It illuminates hidden gestures embedded in Rembrandt’s paintings for the initiated. Anyone can visit Rembrandt’s house today. You do not need a special key to open the front door; just present a ticket to enter what is now a museum. Another entry awaits one prepared to use the key that Rembrandt left us through his work—are we ready to open that door?

  • Dario Mellado
    Director
    Nuclear Cowboys (2015)
  • Zhenya Gershman
    Executive Producer
  • Zhenya Gershman
    Writer
  • Lindsay LaChapelle
    Producer
  • Zhenya Gershman
    Key Cast
    Model's Artist (2015), Corsi: Prince of Models (2017)
  • Charles Coffman
    Narrator
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    Art, Art History, Detective, Mystery, Painting, Esotericism, Rembrandt
  • Runtime:
    8 minutes 34 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 4, 2016
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Dario Mellado

Expressing the beauty and controversy of the world around him Artist and Filmmaker Dario Mellado has carved out a strong presence in L.A.’s underground art scene. Mellado’s work includes a twenty-year ongoing study of “America’s Decaying Suburban Experience”. He focuses on the post second world war suburban explosion and it’s environmental, social, and spiritual implications. Mellado’s background in social activism including work coordinating the Independent Living Program in the San Fernando Valley (a vocational and counseling program for “at risk youth” and foster children) and time spent as a Vocational Counselor and Advocate for teens with Autism and Asperger’s solidified Mellado’s idea and use of an art’s function as an influential “tool for social change”. His recent documentary “Nuclear Cowboys” addresses environmental concerns and raises awareness of local health crises.

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Director Statement

"I am glad that we live in the time when Rembrandt's secret can at last be both told and appreciated. Though 17th century Holland was considered to be tolerant to the outsiders, one could still risk being jailed or even tortured if they belonged to unsanctioned organizations. We hope that "Rembrandt's Keys" will open a new level of appreciation to one of the greatest painters of all times."