Lost Art

When the Soviet Union collapses, an enterprising art teacher imports thousands of Russian paintings to rural Tennessee. After years of collecting, his own mortality comes to the forefront and he must decide how to handle the unknown value and future of his expansive collection.

The documentary takes the audience on a tour of the mysterious gallery in Tennessee to find out the value of the paintings, and the journeys he took to obtain them.

  • Leif Ramsey
    Director
  • Lucky Ramsey
    Executive Producer
  • Derek Peters
    Producer
  • David George
    Cinematographer
    Secret of the Cave, Old Fashioned,
  • Christopher Stiles
    1st Assistant Camera/2nd Unit DP
  • Daniel Cooper
    Composer
  • Bob Garren
    Key Cast
  • Ruth Garren
    Key Cast
  • Madelyn Rogers
    Editor
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    16 minutes 1 second
  • Completion Date:
    December 31, 2021
  • 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:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Leif Ramsey

Leif Ramsey is a Tennessee-based director of commercials and owner of Pathfinder Films. With a background in commercial filmmaking and design, he loves finding ways to choreograph picture and sound. He has collaborated on advertising campaigns for the U.S. Navy, Honda, Hilton, Dr Teal's, Bang & Olufsen and Ford and directed episodes for Outside TV. This is his first time directing an unbranded documentary.

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Director Statement

A friend told me about thousands of Russian paintings tucked away in an abandoned school in the countryside of Tennessee. When I met Bob, the owner of the collection, I was hooked. Was this an art heist? My inner Sherlock Holmes kicked in — I had to keep pulling on the story thread and see where it led.

I would like the audience to feel as though they discovered a forgotten cultural gem, and through the art, learn about what the Russian people went through as their country transitioned out of communism into free market capitalism. While also considering the value of art, what is more valuable, the story behind it or the possible high price tag?