Filmrise, the reputable New York-based film and television studio, as well as streaming network, has acquired the North American distribution rights to the true-crime feature film, “The Thief Collector.” From Emmy Award-Winning Allison Otto, the film follows the true story of one of the most elaborate art heists of the 20th century. The theft of “Woman-Ochre, an iconic painting by Willem de Kooning, was stolen by two, eccentric school teachers.
This heist is one of the most audacious and puzzling art thefts of the generation; “Woman-Ochre” was sliced from its frame and stolen right from the walls of the University of Arizona Museum of Art, disappearing into the desert in 1985. It wasn’t until nearly thirty years later that the painting was found, displayed in the home of an eccentric married couple living in a remote town in New Mexico. This $160 million dollar painting was one of Willem de Kooning’s most seminal works, and its loss to the art community for such an extended period of time was devastating.
At the 2022 SXSW Film Festival, “The Thief Collector” had its world premiere and was later nominated for the Grand Jury Prize. Furthermore, it was also nominated for the Ad Hoc Docs Competition at the 2022 International Film Festival.
The true-crime documentary feature-film was produced by Caryn Captosto, Jill Latiano Howerton, and Joshua Kunau with XTR, a global nonfiction entertainment studio. They focus heavily on audience appeal and a rigid commitment to artistry, and also work with outstanding creators to produce, distribute, finance, and develop not only films, but series and podcasts as well. This award-winning studio has produced and financed over 80 documentaries, including: “They Call Me Magic,” on AppleTV+, the Oscar-nominated “Ascension,” on MTV Documentary Films, and “76 Days,” an Emmy and Peabody award-winning documentary.
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.
With the rights to the distribution of the movie now acquired by Filmrise, the film will now be more accessible than ever. A Brooklyn-based film and television studio and sole operator of the FilmRise Streaming network, Filmrise is the world’s largest independently owned portfolio of ad-supported streaming apps and FAST channels (free ad-supported television). This company offers over 50,000 licensed, originally produced feature films and television episodes across all genres, including Gordon Ramsay’s HELL’S KITCHEN and KITCHEN NIGHTMARES, and feature films like 21 JUMP STREET, HUNTER, and BOOKER RENEGADE to name a few.
“The Thief Collector” is coming soon to video on demand, thanks to Filmrise. Don’t miss this Grand Jury nominated feature film, starring Glenn Howerton, as you go down the rabbit-hole that is the 1985 heist of Willem de Kooning’s “Woman-Ochre.”