The Painter and the Thief

The Painter and the Thief

2020 · 102 min · NO · 7.4 (44 votes)
Dir. Benjamin Ree · Starring Barbora Kysilkova, Karl-Bertil Nordland, Øystein Stene, Linda Ville Marie Ruud, Bjørn Inge Nordland · Music Uno Helmersson
Documentary

When two of artist Barbora Kysilkova’s most valuable paintings are stolen from a gallery at Frogner in Oslo, the police are able to find the thief after a few days, but the paintings are nowhere to be found. Barbora goes to the trial in hopes of finding clues, but instead she ends up asking the thief if she can paint a portrait of him. This will be the start of a very unusual friendship. Over three years, the cinematic documentary follows the incredible story of the artist looking for her stolen paintings, while at the same time turning the thief into art.

VIBE

A quiet, contemplative journey exploring the complex bond between an artist and her thief. It's a raw, vulnerable look at how art can bridge divides and heal wounds, leaving you with a lingering sense of profound human connection.

introspectivemelancholictenderunsettlingslow-burnobservational documentaryarthousecharacter studyartforgivenessunlikely connectionstrauma
artculture