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The Painter and the Thief

Original title: Kunstneren og tyven
  • 2020
  • 1h 46m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
4.6K
YOUR RATING
The Painter and the Thief (2020)
Desperate for answers about the theft of her 2 paintings, a Czech artist seeks out and befriends the career criminal who stole them. After inviting her thief to sit for a portrait, the two form an improbable relationship and an inextricable bond that will forever link these lonely souls.
Play trailer2:15
1 Video
19 Photos
Documentary

An artist befriends the thief who stole her paintings. She becomes his closest ally when he is severely hurt in a car crash and needs full time care, even if her paintings are not found. But... Read allAn artist befriends the thief who stole her paintings. She becomes his closest ally when he is severely hurt in a car crash and needs full time care, even if her paintings are not found. But then the tables turn.An artist befriends the thief who stole her paintings. She becomes his closest ally when he is severely hurt in a car crash and needs full time care, even if her paintings are not found. But then the tables turn.

  • Director
    • Benjamin Ree
  • Writer
    • Barbora Kysilkova
  • Stars
    • Karl Bertil-Nordland
    • Barbora Kysilkova
    • Øystein Stene
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    4.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Benjamin Ree
    • Writer
      • Barbora Kysilkova
    • Stars
      • Karl Bertil-Nordland
      • Barbora Kysilkova
      • Øystein Stene
    • 32User reviews
    • 92Critic reviews
    • 79Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 18 wins & 27 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:15
    Official Trailer

    Photos18

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    Top cast3

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    Karl Bertil-Nordland
    • Self
    Barbora Kysilkova
    • Self
    Øystein Stene
    • Director
      • Benjamin Ree
    • Writer
      • Barbora Kysilkova
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews32

    7.54.5K
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    Featured reviews

    10ThomasDrufke

    Breathtaking

    A film so different from anything I have ever seen and one that feels like you're watching a real life friendship develop on screen (which you technically are) and it's marvelous. From tragedy to triumphant moments, The Painter & the Thief is the most unique film you'll see in years. Oh, and that last shot is breathtaking.

    10/10.
    aks75

    Speechless...

    As an artist I have always known of the many healing powers of art... but this film shows the layers upon layers of healing all while keeping you on the edge of your seat... Absolutely phenomenal.
    6Xstal

    Caring & Compassionate...

    A lost and inquisitive bohemian artisan befriends the thief and junkie that stole her art from a gallery in Oslo. As it transpires, an event that won't do future sales of her art any harm at all but does re-instill your faith in the generosity and kindness of people in a world that continually demonstrates the opposite.
    8rizo-30500

    Great documentary

    Really good and beautifully crafted. Almost like a love story
    9bettinagh-51115

    Extraordinary work of art

    The Painter and the Thief is about both art and the art of being human. It's a brilliant, beautiful dogma-ish film presented as a documentary.

    Just watch it. It's charming and utterly engaging and it doesn't matter whether or not it's a documentary- it just is and that's what matters.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      The film started as a short documentary, but the filmmakers changed their plan when Karl-Bertil saw himself painted for the first time. Then they decided to keep on filming for many years to come. They filmed from 2016-2019 not knowing what would happen or where the story might go.
    • Connections
      Featured in Subject (2022)
    • Soundtracks
      Jingle Bells
      Arranged by Mark Ford

      EMI Production Music Scandinavia

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    FAQ

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • May 22, 2020 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Norway
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Languages
      • English
      • Norwegian
    • Also known as
      • Художник і злодій
    • Production companies
      • Medieoperatørene
      • VGTV
      • Tremolo Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • NOK 5,993,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $547,679
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 46 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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