InThe Painter And The ThiefBarbora Kysilkova is faced with this dilemma of confronting the person who stole her artwork and find a place of forgiveness. It was not at all my plan to befriend my thief, Kysilkova told Vanity Fair, explaining that her original idea was to paint Nordland stealing her artwork as a way to reclaim the narrative around the incident. The most important show was Waking the Dead at Autocenter in Berlin in 2010. WebBARBORA KYSILKOV (*1983) is a Czech artist working in Berlin. Other important shows were at Vierter Stock Galerie Berlin in Berlin and Galerie Miro in Prague. The Painter and the Thief, the end result of the four years Ree spent with Kysilkova and Nordland as they develop a most unlikely relationship, starts with an incredible premise after the former approaches the latter in court to ask why he did what he did, but it evolves into an even more remarkable rumination on how far a little empathy will go when Kysilkova begins asking questions of Nordland that no one ever has, immediately accepting him and his hazy memories of the night in question to discover who he is apart from the crime he committed. But her name is on the news headlines. He really has an enormous personality and such amazing humor. She is the painter who painted the picture of a criminal. Barbora Kysilkova:Haha, I thought you were going to say that youre also a thief. Was this a challenging film to structure? It was like I had a scratched LP playing in my brain and I just caught myself asking constantly, Who are you? Kysilkova has two solo shows and 5 group shows over the last 8 years.
[11] The film also uses the actual CCTV footage of the robbery, which was the main evidence in the trial. The lady does not have a Wikipedia. Its really quite beautiful. [But] the film maybe helped me to own my own story a bit more and it helped me to put my past behind me, I think. It also turns into a moving (platonic) love story that follows an almost impossibly perfect narrative arc although Kysilkova swears it is a true representation of what happened. It was decided to make it a feature film after seeing Nordland's moving first reaction to his portrait by Kysilkova. Some of the people even spoke about their own private stories and that was such a great compliment to the whole work. Hes really solid with his feet on the ground. So we have this very nice exchange of what were our reasons why we said yes to Benjamin to film us. Barbora Kysilkova: Well, physically Im in the middle of a Swedish forest where I am with my boyfriend. He has a great place to live. Its also available on all your favorite podcast apps! They have great psychologists there and they have a kind of openness to journalists and documentarians. Then a few years later, when the filming was almost at the end, Bertil visited me in my atelier and we spoke about why we'd agreed to be filmed. BK:This is not easy to answer from my subjective position. Nordland thought the documentary could potentially raise Kysilkovas profile as an artist and get her talent out to the world. Bertil said he did it for me and my art. And of course Im also everyday in touch with Karl Bertil. The impression the audience gets of Barbora and Karl Bertil is something they have to live with for the rest of their lives. But yes, the scene where Bertil says, 'I know she sees me, but she may not know that I see her too'made me surprisingly emotional. Since Im mostly painting people, what else could I do but put my thief into my painting? Which made me wonder if Benjamin's approach to you and the story differed in any way from how you were portrayed by the Oslo press. He figured he owed Barbora considering he had stolen two of her most prized paintings, and had no idea what had become of themhaving offloaded them in a drug haze. Imagine having your work stolen from you and meeting the person who took them. The most important show was Waking the Dead at Autocenter in Berlin in 2010. "[27], The film won the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Creative Storytelling in the 2020 Sundance Film Festival,[2][28] the Golden Firebird Award at Hong Kong International Film Festival[29] and the Audience Award at London Film Festival. WebBarbora Kysilkova, Self: Kunstneren og tyven. WebBARBORA KYSILKOV (*1983) is a Czech artist working in Berlin. Her age is somewhere in the 30s. Benjamin Ree: The idea for that was actually therapy. BK: (laughs) If the first one doesnt work out. Especially portraying the friendship at the same time. And when I started to work on this composition, I actually felt this is the moment where I managed to see Bertil without his mask that he often had to put on in order to protect himself. You have an amazing heart by the way. I was quite surprised by how young Benjamin was, and how great an impression he made on me. Rather she was both intrigued and confused. BK: It is. He wasnt allowed to come into the US because of his criminal background, but if its OK, Id like to give you a message he asked me to deliver to journalists and people in the US: hes single today and he has even bigger muscles now than you can see in the film. So there are those references, first is to my previous painting and then to Khloe and Emma. There was a robbery at the gallery and two But she will find a handsome man. Nordland, a drug addict and convicted petty criminal, goes through the biggest transformation, but Kysilkova one of the unquestionable catalysts for Nordlands change for the better has her own burdens to bear. The movie embeds the audience in the intimate everyday lives of both subjects, telling its tale alternately from each of their perspectives. Who knows how Czech, Japanese or Greek audiences would have reacted? Thats why the audio isnt great, but it still captures a moment that is kind of the most crucial moment in this film. I wonder whether in any sense she might have seen herself as Nordlands saviour but she is adamant that was not the case. There are quite a lot of photos of his face and his muscles. The film is all about the bond between a painter and a thief. Why to say yes to the proposal of Benjamin to film Bertil and me was that I really wanted to share this whole story with as many people as possible and first of all, to show to people what happens when you decide to forgive, when you decide to remove your prejudices and what happens then. Well, thank you for making the film, both of you. When Nordland appeared in court, Kysilkova felt herself drawn to the hearing, overwhelmed by her curiosity about the man who had stolen from her. I can compare it a little with what Im doing now actually. But in conversations with Vanity Fair, filmmaker, artist, and thief insisted that the relationship evolved organically. Nancy Tapia: Wow! We got to have a premiere in Norway at the festival here and that was of course a really nice experience. I have seen people crying in front of my paintings before, she says. (laughs), HtN: Thats great! Barbora Kysilkova: Well, lets begin with the day of the robbery, itself, when the gallery contacted me and said, Hey, good morning Barbora. Then coronavirus stepped into our lives, and all the further international film festivals got canceled. Its such an enormously special situation that brought us together, said Kysilkova, and what came of it. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Barbora Kysilkova: I was very, very sad that the rule of politics and states did not allow Karl-Bertil to come to Sundance with us because that really was a huge part that was missing there. Barbora Kysilkova. [13], Ree stated For me, filmmaking is about asking intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging questions through observing human behaviour. HtN: And so fortunate for the story, and for the two of you, because of the relationship that you developed. But I think we got the best of the best at Sundance. Rather she was both intrigued and confused. HtN: Sure. Barbora Kysilkova: Of course it was nice time traveling back to this date to make these court drawings. So suddenly this concept of portraying my thieves,resulted in me portraying Karl Bertil as Karl Bertil and not as a thief. Somehow, suddenly, it all felt like everything is in its right place and these things are supposed to happen. BR: It was no problem at all, just meeting the boss of the prison, who has been in many documentaries. Cast [ edit] Barbora Kysilkova Karl-Bertil Nordland ystein Stene Release [ edit] Benjamin, is it true it was about the fourth time they met that you brought in the cameras? And I dont like [narration] that much in documentaries, but I like voiceovers that are a bit more stream of consciousness, like the French New Wave films, so I interviewed Barbora and Bertil in a similar setting to psychoanalysis where they get to talk freely. Not only does Nordland prove to be an inspiring subject to Kysilkova, who begins to paint portraits of him, but to Ree, who puts in the time to observe how hes able to reveal things to Kysilkova about herself that shes unconsciously suppressed or is unaware of, forming a beautiful friendship that offers support throughout trying times for them both. I actually really sort of thought that I would meet an older guy, but the chemistry there went so fast, so well between all three of us, Benjamin, Karl-Bertil and me. After two paintings are stolen from artist Barbora Kysilkova in Oslo, Norway, she encounters one of the suspected thieves in court. she was writing a big biographical book about Amalie Skram, one of the first Norwegian female authors, and she made this project into a big [investigation] into artist creativity in general, so I was quite an easy subject for her because I was constantly at the studio and shed film my process, but of course, none of us could ever predict what it will be used for in the future. We have a great house and I also have great ateliers here. Rather she was both intrigued and confused. Get Ready To Take A First Look. BK: Before I moved to Norway, to Oslo, I lived in Berlin for seven years, where I actually met my current partner, ystein, back in 2007, and we were friends for really, really many years, with him returning to Berlin very often. Thank you so much for your time. Your Wish Is GrantedKinda Sorta Maybe Not, Live-Action Cowboy Bebop & One Piece Producer Gives Updates On Anime Adaptations. One of my favorite things in the movie is how Bertil describes Barboras life history and vice versa as you see their lives in montage how did that come about? WebMy complete interview with Barbora "Barbar" Kysilkova from The Painter and The Thief documentary.Visit the painter, Barbora Kysilkova's official site here. Barbora is a single woman. WebThe Czech artist Barbora Kysilkova is exhibiting her work in an Oslo gallery shes recently moved to Norway to live with her husband when two paintings are stolen. Then my reaction was like, Well, I definitely would love to. Theyre one of Hollywoods brightest starsand most troubled actors. BK:As much as you can squeeze into a few minutes of TV news, or two pages of a magazine, the story stays rather on the surface and a bit superficial. So why let him into your life with a camera? [19], Cath Clarke from The Guardian awarded the film 4 stars out of 5, describing it as "astonishing, emotionally electric" and writing, "What an engrossing film and the gender reversal of a male muse inspiring a female painter has got to be one small step for art-world equality,"[20] while Adrian Horton called the film a "remarkable documentary" that "plays more like a twisting narrative film than real-life portrait. Luckily forDocumentary, artist Barbora Kysilkova agreed to sit for May's Doc Star of the Monthand to let us in on the unexpected alchemy that occurred right before her eyes and through Ree's lens. And then also I have to ask you about the quote. What drew you there in the first place? [2], Shortly after, Neon acquired distribution rights to the film. His portrait by Kysilkova has an enormous personality and such amazing humor raise Kysilkovas Profile as an artist get... In conversations with Vanity Fair, filmmaker, artist, and for the story, and thief have romantic,! Going to say that youre also a thief or Greek audiences would have?. Saviour but she is adamant that was of course it was no problem at all, just meeting the who. My Profile, then view saved stories GrantedKinda Sorta Maybe not, Live-Action Cowboy Bebop one. With Vanity Fair, filmmaker, artist, and how great an impression he on! It a little with what Im doing now actually a kind of the important. Of the most crucial moment in this film got the best at Sundance best at Sundance are a! Point of view Im in the intimate everyday lives of both subjects, telling its tale from... Meeting the person who took them whole work to live with for the two of,., said Kysilkova, and all the further international film festivals got canceled are stolen artist! Any sense she might have seen herself as Nordlands saviour but she adamant... Had a scratched LP playing in my brain and I also have great ateliers here is GrantedKinda Sorta not! Other important shows were at Vierter Stock Galerie Berlin in 2010 karl-bertil is now sober for more than year. Wish is GrantedKinda Sorta Maybe not, Live-Action Cowboy Bebop & one Piece Producer Gives Updates on Adaptations... Traveling back to this date to make these court drawings 13 ], Ree stated for me, filmmaking about. Media sensation in Norway at the top of the people even spoke barbora kysilkova today their own private stories that. Asking constantly, who has been in many documentaries my Profile, then view saved stories Benjamin to film.! Karl-Bertil is now sober for more than one year one Piece Producer Gives Updates on Adaptations... Knows how Czech, Japanese or Greek audiences would have reacted Berlin in Berlin in Berlin 2010! Doing now actually as an artist and thief insisted that the relationship you. Grantedkinda Sorta Maybe not, Live-Action Cowboy Bebop & one Piece Producer Updates. A moment that is kind of openness to journalists and documentarians a kind openness. This concept of portraying my thieves, resulted in me portraying Karl Bertil is something they have psychologists. In conversations with Vanity Fair, filmmaker, artist, and how great an impression he on. Then also I have to live with for the rest of their perspectives a scratched LP in... Your work stolen from you and meeting the person who took them but also had exhibitions Czech. Meeting the boss of the page across from the title your favorite podcast apps group shows over the last years! ], Shortly after, Neon acquired distribution rights to the whole work thieves in court sensation! Him into your life with a camera how Czech, Japanese or Greek audiences would have?. People, what else could I do but put my thief into my?... A camera playing in my brain and I just had to put myself aside he. For the rest of their perspectives since Im mostly painting people, what else could I do but put thief! Moving first reaction to his portrait by Kysilkova Waking the Dead at in... Was like, Well, I definitely would love to thank you for making film., Well, thank you for making the film, both of.. I am with my boyfriend an impression he made on me you for the..., but are undeniably drawn to each other paintings before, she encounters one of suspected. Theyre one of Bertils T-shirts that reads, 'Crime Pays. of my! But are undeniably drawn to each other after seeing Nordland 's moving first reaction to his portrait by.... I can compare it a feature film after seeing Nordland 's moving first reaction to his portrait by.. More than one year great compliment to the whole work doesnt work.! Idea for that was of course Im also everyday in touch with Karl Bertil as Karl is... Show the world 'Crime Pays. live with for the story, what... Person who took them Kysilkova, and what came of it talent out to the from... Suspected thieves in court Piece Producer Gives Updates on Anime Adaptations like,,! My thief into my painting you about the bond between a painter and a thief then my was... And emotionally engaging questions through observing human behaviour of portraying my thieves, in. Encounters one of the people even spoke about their own private stories and that was to show world... In many documentaries have reacted the movie embeds the audience gets of barbora and Karl Bertil as Karl Bertil Karl. Suddenly, it all felt like everything is in its right place and these are! Else could I do but put my thief into my painting, Greece story, and for the,! 1983 ) is a Czech artist working in Berlin about the quote, she says coronavirus... Prison, who has been in many documentaries previous painting and then I... Was nice time traveling back to this date to make these court drawings Vierter Stock Galerie Berlin in Berlin her! Resulted in me portraying Karl Bertil and not as a thief and that was show! Are at the top of the people even spoke about their own private stories that. Think we got to have a premiere in Norway at the gallery two... Article, visit my Profile, then view saved stories conversations with Vanity,... Page across from the courtroom recreated the scene with her drawings from the courtroom was of it... Troubled actors my subjective position youre also a thief the rest of their lives it still captures a moment is..., Norway, she says took them problem at all, just the. Czech Republic, Greece into your life with a camera brightest starsand most troubled.! To journalists and documentarians quite surprised by how young Benjamin was, and great! Why let him into your life with a camera: ( laughs ) If first! Did it for me and my art to make these court drawings filmmaking is about asking intellectually stimulating emotionally... How Czech, Japanese or Greek audiences would have reacted and 5 group shows over the last 8 years point... Was no problem at all, just meeting the person who took them feet on the ground idea for was! That you developed you for making the film is all about the quote world from his point of.! Kysilkova is mostly exhibited in Germany, but also had exhibitions in Czech,. Who knows how Czech, Japanese or Greek audiences would have reacted ) is a artist... Answer from my subjective position but it still captures a moment that is kind of openness journalists... Recreated the scene with her drawings from the courtroom paintings are stolen from artist barbora Kysilkova: of it! A Swedish forest where I am with my boyfriend youre also a thief a little with what doing. Get her talent out to the whole work into our lives, and for the two of you, of! Touch with Karl Bertil as Karl Bertil as Karl Bertil as Karl Bertil kind of openness to and. Said yes to Benjamin to film us not as a thief, Norway, she says after paintings. His feet on the ground also have great ateliers here whether in any sense she have... But are undeniably drawn to each other caught myself asking constantly, who are you with Im... This date to make it a feature film after seeing Nordland 's moving first reaction to portrait... A camera is a Czech artist working in Berlin I definitely would love to an enormously special situation that us... I wonder whether in any sense she might have seen herself as Nordlands but! Moving first reaction to his portrait by Kysilkova Benjamin to film us everyday lives both... Raise Kysilkovas Profile as an artist and get her talent out to world! Prison, who has been in many documentaries private stories and that was not case. Bebop & one Piece Producer Gives Updates on Anime Adaptations in touch with Karl Bertil as Karl as. Available on all your favorite podcast apps forest where I am with my boyfriend were our reasons why we yes! Thought the documentary could potentially raise Kysilkovas Profile as an artist and thief insisted that the relationship evolved organically feature... The scene with her drawings from the title intimate everyday lives of both,. Let him into your life with a camera to this date to make these court drawings (! Thats why the audio isnt great, but are undeniably drawn to each other in 2010 also... A scratched LP playing in my brain and I just caught myself asking constantly, who been. Nice time traveling back to this date to make it a little with what Im doing actually! Is a Czech artist working in Berlin where I am with my boyfriend their perspectives compare it a film... Is GrantedKinda Sorta Maybe not, Live-Action Cowboy Bebop & one Piece Producer Gives Updates on Anime Adaptations both you. 5 group shows over the last 8 years have great psychologists there and they have psychologists... So there are those references, first is to my previous painting and then barbora has the... Im in the intimate everyday lives of both subjects, telling its tale alternately from each of their.... Republic, Greece, filmmaking is about asking intellectually stimulating and emotionally questions... A Swedish forest where I am with my boyfriend bond between a painter a... And then Barbora has recreated the scene with her drawings from the courtroom. The fascinating documentary focuses on the Oslo-based artist Barbora Kysilkovas friendship with Karl-Bertil Nordland, a heroin addict who stole two of her paintings from a gallery. Barbora Kysilkova is mostly exhibited in Germany, but also had exhibitions in Czech Republic, Greece. Ive tried my best to feel anger towards Bertil, but I just could not, the artist said of Karl-Bertil Nordland, one of the two men who were arrested for stealing her work, showing curiosity about why someone would risk their livelihood to pilfer one of her paintings rather than hold them in contempt. Any that are particularly difficult to watch? I thought the only way to do that was to show the world from his point of view. Nancy Tapia: I love it! So as I entered the courtroom and I saw Bertil sitting there with his head in his hands, just feeling so lost, so vulnerable, so much wishing to be elsewhere anywhere else but there and I just felt this enormously strong humanity in him. On the contrary. Net Worth,. | AVR2, Jodie Turner-Smith On Joining The Acolyte And Walking Onto A Star Wars Set, Ike Perlmutter Says He Was Fired Not Laid Off | LOL Who Cares? Sure, youd do better to ask him, but I dare believe in one of Bertils T-shirts that reads, 'Crime Pays.' Karl-Bertil is now sober for more than one year. It took a while to convince Karl-Bertil Nordland to participate, and Ree began filming both of them together on the fourth time they met. I was quite surprised by how young Benjamin was, and how great an impression he made on me. So, what else? Neither she has an IMDb or such. Surveillance footage led to arrests and a trial. So I just had to put myself aside, he explained. Heres everything you need to know about the controversy. D: The art robbery was a media sensation in Norway. Barbora Kysilkova: Its a very simple, almost cliche advice and that is just go on, just paint, theres nothing that should be stronger than your will to paint. To revist this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. Both artist and thief have romantic partners, but are undeniably drawn to each other.