The Painter and the Thief is a Norwegian documentary film directed by Benjamin Ree. The film begins with the theft of two paintings belonging to Czech painter Barbora Kysilkova from a gallery in Oslo, Norway. The police track down the thief, Karl Bertil-Nordland, who admits to the theft but has no recollection of what he did with the paintings.
As Kysilkova attends the court hearing of Bertil-Nordland, she becomes fascinated by his tattoos and piercing blue eyes. She approaches him and asks if she could paint his portrait, to which he agrees. The resulting portrait becomes a stunning work of art that captures the essence of Bertil-Nordland's troubled past and lifestyle.
As Kysilkova continues to spend time with Bertil-Nordland, she learns about his drug addiction, struggles with poverty, and past history of abuse. Despite his criminal past, Kysilkova sees a different side of him and becomes emotionally invested in helping him turn his life around.
The documentary follows Kysilkova and Bertil-Nordland's unlikely friendship over the course of three years, showcasing their emotional journey as they navigate through their own personal struggles. It highlights how art can bring together two individuals from completely different worlds and the transformative power of human connection.
The Painter and the Thief premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, where it won a World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Creative Storytelling. It received critical acclaim worldwide and became a box office success in Norway.
