BBC Select adds art, graffiti docs

Kaboom Film & TV’s A Brief History of Graffiti

Factual streaming service BBC Select, available in North America, has picked up documentaries on topics including crime in the art world and graffiti from UK distributor Beyond Rights.

The streaming service, owned by UK pubcaster the BBC, launched on Amazon Prime and Apple TV in February. The titles picked up from Beyond include The $50 Million Art Swindle (1×90’), from director Vanessa Engle and London prodco Top Hat Productions. It tells the story of New York art dealer Michel Cohen, who stole over US$50m from the art world before going on the run from the FBI for 18 years.

Also in the package is World’s Greatest Paintings (10×60’), made by UK prodco Lambent Production and presented by BBC journalist Andrew Marr. Each episode examines one of the greatest paintings ever made, from the Mona Lisa to Sunflowers.

How I Created a Cult (3x’60), from Seattle’s Conscious Life, takes an in-depth look at US spiritual teacher Andrew Cohen, accused of demanding money and extreme devotion from his followers, and examines what attracts people to charismatic leaders.

A Brief History of Graffiti (1×60′) is from London prodco Kaboom Film & TV and follows Dr Richard Clay as he explores what has motivated graffiti artists throughout history.

Trump in Tweets (1×60’), from London’s Wonderhood Studios, examines former US president Donald Trump’s obsession with social media. It shows how Trump came of age on Twitter, transforming from technophobe to a serial tweeter.

Starbucks & Nespresso: The Truth About Your Coffee (1×35’) travels to Guatemala to expose poor working conditions experienced by children on coffee plantations. The one-off doc is made by London’s TI Productions.

Finally, Dark Son (3×60’) is a true crime series from the UK’s Monster Films about suspected serial killer Harold Jones, referred to as the ‘Dark Son’ in the small Welsh town where he grew up.

Jon Farrar, editor-in-chief at BBC Select, said: “BBC Select is all about culture, politics and ideas, and the Beyond Rights catalogue has some standout content in all three areas. I think the documentaries will have real resonance with our subscribers.”