Synopsis:
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.
Painting is one of the most revered forms of art that there is. One could argue that when the word art is mentioned to someone, paintings are the first thing that comes to mind. Now, put yourself in the shoes of an artist. You’ve spent hours or even days on a few paintings for an exhibit, made custom frames, and bound them in a very specific way. You’d probably be extremely furious if someone stole them, right? Not to mention, you’re such an amazing artist that the paintings are your main source of income. Well, in The Painter and The Thief that is exactly what happens. The difference between the documentary’s subject and the majority of us is what makes this story worth watching and why it is so great. Can you imagine befriending someone that stole from you, that puts you at risk of being evicted? Probably not, but that’s where this story’s intrigue begins. The story becomes very personal as it delves deep into what causes the thief to commit crimes among other things. In doing so it subsequently exposes the artist’s need for connection.
With its intimate cinematography, this already layered story becomes something that you can’t look away from. Becoming her muse, the thief is laid bare in more ways than one as he slowly learns who he is and who he can be, through the eyes of another. The doc succeeded in making me feel empathy for both people as its subjects ended up leading the narrative instead of the other way around. Eventually, I quit caring about what happened to Barbora’s paintings and was simply invested in these two complex individuals. It’s a story of understanding, love, redemption, and second chances and the fact that it’s real makes it exceedingly exquisite. I thoroughly enjoyed The Painter and The Thief. Its emotional depth reminds me that humanity is complicated and people deserve second chances if they are willing to put the work in. We look at everything so black and white nowadays and it’s hardly ever that simple. We’re quick to want the worst for someone when they’ve made wrong turns in life, forgetting that it could be any one of us that needs that second chance and someone to believe in us to turn us around. This documentary is a must-watch and rewatch, one of the best of the year. Lastly, Barbora’s art is amazing.
Plot & Pace
The documentary follows talented painter, Barbora Kysilkova in the aftermath of the theft of her paintings. Initially, focusing on her confrontation with the thief and how she could get them back, the story then becomes about an unexpected blossoming friendship. Through several sessions of painting the criminal, Barbora is able to break down barriers and understand the mind of her subject and uncover the motivation behind his actions. In doing so, she begins to care deeply for him and wants to see him change his ways. However, with Karl becoming her muse, her own life begins to unravel and her personal relationships suffer. The film moves at the pace of a great drama, every scene adds more complexity to the story.
Characters & Chemistry
Actual reality differs in many ways compared to a script. The way this documentary was playing out, I was certain romantic love was inevitable. The way Barbora and Karl interacted with each other and the strong feelings they felt for one another seemed as if its a definite love story, and it was. However, it wasn’t as simple as we’re used to. The humanity of Barbora and the will of Karl made them feel like scripted characters and that’s why they were worthy of this documentary.
The Painter and The Thief is now available through Video on Demand. Enjoy and stay safe.
Director: Benjamin Ree
Runtime: 1h 42m
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Senior Critic. Observing the human race since 1988.
