FilmRise Acquires North American Rights to True-Crime Doc The Thief Collector

FilmRise, the New York-based film and television studio and streaming network, has acquired North American distribution rights to the true-crime documentary feature film “The Thief Collector” from Emmy Award-winning director Allison Otto (“The Love Bugs”). The film was produced by Caryn Capotosto (Museum & Crane), Jill Latiano Howerton and Joshua Kunau (Roots Productions) with XTR. Bryn Mooser, Kathryn Everett, Justin Lacob, Tony Hsieh, John Boccardo, Derek Esplinand Andy Hsieh are the film’s Executive Producers. The SXSW Grand Jury nominated documentary follows the true story of one of the most elaborate art heists of the 20th century, the theft of “Woman-Ochre,” Willem de Kooning’s iconic painting, and the eccentric couple – both schoolteachers – at the center of the heist.

Einhorn states, 'We are confident streaming audiences will be drawn to Allison Otto’s new film as it uniquely combines the strong appeal and captivating nature of crime documentaries together with the true story of one of the most audacious art heists in history, making it irresistible.  We are also always thrilled to bring premium true crime stories by stellar independent filmmakers to our streaming offerings in the genre so we can reach even broader audiences'.

It was one of the most audacious and puzzling art thefts of a generation; in 1985, Willem de Kooning’s seminal work, “Woman-Ochre,” was brazenly sliced from its frame and stolen off the walls of the University of Arizona Museum of Art, disappearing into the desert. Over thirty years later, in a remote town in New Mexico, the $160 million dollar painting was rediscovered in the unlikeliest of places – the home of an eccentric married couple with a keen eye for great works but a very unconventional method of collecting them.

The Thief Collector had its world premiere at the 2022 SXSW Film Festival where it was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize. It was also nominated for the Ad Hoc Docs Competition at the 2022 Cleveland International Film Festival. 

The deal was negotiated by Gabriel Gazoul, Director of Acquisitions, New Release for FilmRise and Eric Sloss of Cinetic Media on behalf of the filmmakers.