Benjamin Ree

The Painter and the Thief

Benjamin Ree

Barbora Kysilkova, Karl-Bertil Nordland

When two of artist Barbora Kysilkova’s most valuable paintings are stolen from a gallery at Frogner in Oslo, the police are able to find the thief after a few days, but the paintings are nowhere to be found. Barbora goes to the trial in hopes of finding clues, but instead she ends up asking the thief if she can paint a portrait of him. This will be the start of a very unusual friendship. Over three years, the cinematic documentary follows the incredible story of the artist looking for her stolen paintings, while at the same time turning the thief into art.

Drømmen om kongeørnen

Benjamin Ree

Brothers Axel Emil (13), Eivind (10), and Eirik (8) are obsessed with wildlife and birds. They are out in the forest almost every day taking pictures and looking for birds. But there is one bird they have yet to see: the Golden Eagle, one of Norway's largest birds. In this feel-good wildlife documentary we follow the brothers on their quest to see the Golden Eagle.

Magnus

Benjamin Ree

Magnus Carlsen, Viswanathan Anand

From a young age Magnus Carlsen had aspirations of becoming a champion chess player. While many players seek out an intensely rigid environment to hone their skills, Magnus’ brilliance shines brightest when surrounded by his loving and supportive family. Through an extensive amount of archival footage and home movies, director Benjamin Ree reveals this young man’s unusual and rapid trajectory to the pinnacle of the chess world. This film allows the audience to not only peek inside this isolated community but also witness the maturation of a modern genius.