Stolen Blood Antiquities (2020)

Stolen Blood Antiquities, directed by François Cardona in 2020, goes deep into a story of art, and crime. Antiquities pilfered from the Middle East have resurfaced in art markets worldwide, igniting a global investigation. The police, in collaboration with archaeologists, are determined to dismantle criminal networks trafficking in these irreplaceable artifacts.

The documentary sheds light on the pillaging of archaeological treasures, a crisis that escalated dramatically with the destruction of Palmyra in Syria by ISIS. From there, the looting extended to artifacts stolen from Iraq and Libya. These stolen antiquities have infiltrated prestigious galleries and been peddled across online markets.

Stolen Blood Antiquities embarks on an unprecedented year-long journey, shadowing European specialist police units and investigative archaeologists. Their pursuit leads them from auction rooms in Paris, Brussels, and New York back to Libya—a new hub for unscrupulous dealers, some with ties to terrorist groups like ISIS.

As the clash between rich museums and source countries intensifies, the film wrestles with profound questions: Is art universal, belonging to all of humanity? Or is it a rightful duty to return it to its country of origin? The stakes are high, and the battle lines are drawn in this investigation of cultural heritage and criminal networks.