Portrayal

A young mans relationship with his family is compromised when he investigates a dark secret from their past, involving the discovery of thousands of his dead grandfathers missing paintings.
Available on CBC Gem

Portrayal

documentary Channel

Since he was a child, Roman Lapshin has been haunted by a secret his late grandfather revealed to him when he was only 12 years old a personal disclosure regarding the mysterious and troubling origins of thousands of pieces of missing artwork his grandfather had painted over his lifetime. As long as he can remember, Lapshin has been obsessed with the burden of his grandfathers revelation. Hes convinced that he must investigate and expose the murky fate of his grandfathers artwork to redeem his name and artistic legacy.

But finding the paintings will mean going against the wishes of his entire family, who have been guarding this secret all along. It also means confronting the powerful man at the centre of this secret a man who Lapshin believes exploited his grandfather when he was a desperate, recent immigrant to a new country.

Lapshin is determined to pursue his undertaking regardless of the collateral damage his actions could cause. As his journey unfolds, he realizes that his quest for justice and vengeance against a man he has believed to be the bogeyman since he was a child may not lead to the salvation hed hoped for.

Portrayal follows Lapshin across three continents and five countries as he tries to put together the missing pieces of a puzzle while coming to terms with a family legacy and his own personal journey of growth and healing.

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Portrayal

documentary Channel