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A still from The Painter and the Thief by Benjamin Ree, an official selection of the World Cinema Documentary Competition at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Barbora Kysilkova. All photos are copyrighted and may be used by press only for the purpose of news or editorial coverage of Sundance Institute programs. Photos must be accompanied by a credit to the photographer and/or 'Courtesy of Sundance Institute.' Unauthorized use, alteration, reproduction or sale of logos and/or photos is strictly prohibited.
The Painter and the Thief: A Virtual Speed Cinema Presentation
Directed by Benjamin Ree
NO LONGER AVAILABLE
Streaming May 22 – June 28
“A nuanced and beguiling new documentary about the various things we all take from one another.” —David Ehrlich, IndieWire
The creative process of art brings together a victim of a theft and the person who had taken irreplaceable possessions from her in this compelling documentary.
In 2015, two large oil paintings by the Czech artist Barbora Kysilkova were stolen from the Galleri Nobel in Oslo, Norway. As a talented emerging young artist she excelled in creating photorealistic paintings and was devastated when the two of her large works were stolen. The culprits were found within days, but not the paintings. Despondent about the loss, Kysilkova made a provocative request of one of the criminals. She requested for him to sit as the subject of a new painting to somehow make up for the ones that were lost.
Their sessions upend the tropes of artist and muse as they reveal much of themselves and ways that they can use this experience to make changes in their lives. This fascinating tale of restorative justice is one of the most compelling films of the year. Winner of the Special Jury Prize for Creative Storytelling at the Sundance Film Festival. 2020, Norway, in English and Norwegian with English subtitles, 102 minutes. Recommended for 16+.