Monday 16 August
10am, 6.30pm
Directed by Benjamin Ree
Documentary
102 mins
Norway (in English)
This superb Norwegian documentary tells the story of a painter Barbora Kysilkova who befriended the criminal who stole two of her most valuable paintings from a gallery at Frogner in Oslo. While the thief is soon caught, the paintings are nowhere to be found. After she invites the thief to sit for a portrait, the two form an improbable relationship when they develop an unlikely friendship and an inextricable bond that will forever link these lonely souls.
Over three years, this cinematic documentary follows the incredible story of an artist looking for her stolen paintings, while at the same time turning the thief into art. The film is the winner of the Special Jury Prize for Creative Storytelling at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.
If this were a fiction film it would surely be dismissed as totally unbelievable: since it’s not, this portrait of two totally fascinating characters proves to be as riveting as any thriller. – David Stratton, The Australian
A true-crime tale reconfigured into a unique relationship sage, replete with twists, turns, heartbreak, failure and redemption that’s as surprising as it is well-earned. – Nich Schager, The Daily Beast