The Painter and the Thief

2020 1h 42m NO

👍

7.4

SOLID

★7.4TMDB · 69

Documentary

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

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.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Barbora Kysilkova
Herself / The Painter
Karl-Bertil Nordland
Himself / The Thief
Øystein Stene
Himself
Linda Ville Marie Ruud
Herself
Bjørn Inge Nordland
Himself

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Benjamin Ree
Writers: Benjamin Ree
Languages: English, Norwegian
Countries: Norway, United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 6 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Norwegian.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: Norway, United States of America.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Benjamin Ree, shot by Benjamin Ree. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Uno Helmersson. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Robert Stengård shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Barbora Kysilkova and Karl-Bertil Nordland and Øystein Stene carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Benjamin Ree directs. Benjamin Ree behind the camera. Uno Helmersson scores. Robert Stengård cuts. Produced in Norway, United States of America. Dialogue in English, Norwegian.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 6 years ago.
2Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Norwegian.
3International production across 2 countries: Norway, United States of America.
4Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
5Directed by Benjamin Ree, shot by Benjamin Ree. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
6Original score by Uno Helmersson. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
7Editor Robert Stengård shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
8Barbora Kysilkova and Karl-Bertil Nordland and Øystein Stene carry the top of the cast.
9IMDB entry: tt11296058 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
10Only 69 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

The technical file

Cinematography: Benjamin Ree
Original score: Uno Helmersson
Editing: Robert Stengård
Sound: Svenn Jakobsen
Runtime: 102 min · 1h 42m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Original language: NO
IMDB: The Painter and the Thief (2020)

Awards

Sundance World Cinema Special Jury Prize Documentary
Amanda Award for Best Documentary
Amanda Award for Best Film
Grierson Awards
Norwegian Film Critics’ Award

Individual records documented via Wikidata; the summary above may count more.

Also by

Benjamin Ree

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Wallpaper

Trailers & featurettes

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Community reviews

What people are saying

SWITCH.2021-02-04
★ 9/10
This is a story about crime, abuse, addiction, co-dependency, obsession, and the healing power of art. 'The Painter and the Thief' is not a black-and-white narrative with a good guy, a bad guy, and a clear-cut scheme. It's a raw yet rich exploration of the messiness of human relationships, their beauty and depravity. - Jake Watt Read Jake's full article... https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-the-painter-and-the-thief-a-strange-joyful-examination-of-an-artist-and-her-muse

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