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The Painter and the Thief

Play trailer 2:14 Poster for The Painter and the Thief 2020 1h 42m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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97% Tomatometer 112 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Czech artist Barbora Kysilkova develops an unlikely friendship with the man who stole two of her paintings.
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The Painter and the Thief

The Painter and the Thief

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Critics Consensus

The Painter and the Thief uses the unlikely bond between a criminal and his victim as the canvas for a compelling portrait of compassion and forgiveness.

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Critics Reviews

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David Stratton The Australian If this were a fiction film it would surely be dismissed as totally unbelievable; since it's not, this portrait of two totally fascinating characters proves to be as riveting as any thriller. Rated: 4/5 Apr 3, 2021 Full Review Paul Byrnes Sydney Morning Herald The Painter and the Thief is a superb Norwegian documentary about a painter who befriended the criminal who stole two of her paintings. He then became her muse. Rated: 4/5 Mar 25, 2021 Full Review Nick Schager The Daily Beast A true-crime tale reconfigured into a unique relationship saga, replete with twists, turns, heartbreak, failure and redemption that's as surprising as it is well-earned. Feb 2, 2021 Full Review Michael Carvelli Loud and Clear Reviews It’s a really interesting telling of this story that shows the way people can find inspiration in odd places, with an ending that leaves behind some intriguing questions about the type of relationship they have. Rated: 3.5/5 Jan 11, 2025 Full Review Kat Halstead Common Sense Media The Painter and the Thief is a rare example of real-life experience with all the ups and downs, emotional highs and lows, and unexpected plot twists of the most manipulative of fictional narratives. Rated: 5/5 Sep 25, 2023 Full Review M.N. Miller Ready Steady Cut The Painter and the Thief captures moments of love, redemption, hope, and ultimately, the exultant power of forgiveness. Rated: 4/5 Sep 1, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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jacquesleslie A remarkable documentary that goes deep. The main characters reveal themselves with astonishing clarity and honesty. And beautiful art besides. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/15/24 Full Review hardy c Interesting film but as flawed as the two central people in it. Indeed, I came away thinking that the recovering junkie/ex-thief wasn't nearly as messed up as the artist whose work he stole. The really interesting aspect that was scarcely touched on was the relationship Barbora had with her real life boyfriend, who rightly began suspecting more than a compassionate connection with the thief. The documentary did not need to be two plus hours long for us to understand that she was filling a need she wasn't getting otherwise, and I do not mean a sexual one. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/14/24 Full Review clay w Brilliant and beautiful rumination on the power of art and redemption. So many scenes in this film are so personal and confessional I had to remind myself there was a film maker in the room at the time. The camera is that unobtrusive. As if it's not even there. The underlying story is very unusual, intriguing, and utterly engaging. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Accompanied by the arresting painting talent from Barbora Kysilkova, Benjamin Ree presents a masterful work of passionate filmmaking, a fascinating film that is not only deeply touching, but also evoking and a study of the power of forgivness, as well as a analysis of the stranger than fiction bounds between human beings. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member This story did not go where I thought it was going. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review ari v A well-crafted look at our weakness for destruction. A backdoor, not unlike the one Milgram shone light on. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Painter and the Thief

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Cast & Crew

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Benjamin Ree

Director

Barbora Kysilkova

Self

Karl-Bertil Nordland

Self

Øystein Stene

Self

Ingvil Giske

Producer

Morgan Neville

Executive Producer
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The Painter and the Thief

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The Painter and the Thief

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Movie Info

Synopsis Czech artist Barbora Kysilkova develops an unlikely friendship with the man who stole two of her paintings.
Director
Benjamin Ree
Producer
Ingvil Giske
Distributor
Neon
Production Co
Tremolo Productions, Medieoperatørene
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 22, 2020, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
May 22, 2020
Runtime
1h 42m
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