Thieves By Law

World Premiere

Germany, Israel, Spain | 90 MINUTES | Russian, Hebrew |

THIEVES BY LAW

Crime, Documentary

The Russian Mafia: what can't they do? After this insider's look into the world of, ahem, "hypothetical" crimes, it's pretty clear that the answer is nyet. Following the stories of three mafiosi-cum-businessmen, Thieves By Law paints a fascinating tableau of men that would make Tony Soprano cringe. Most intriguing, though, are their personal histories interwoven with the evolution of the Russian Mafia itself. Beginning in Stalin's gulags and slowly transforming into an international organization, the mafia and Code of Thieves have always directly correlated to the political struggles of the Soviet Union—reflecting society back to the government like a funhouse mirror.

These men have been through bad times as well as good, persevering with the ammunition of street smarts, savvy, and loyalty to their code, and eventually transforming themselves from cunning crooks to shrewd businessmen. Through unprecedented access and a knack for asking all the right questions, director Alexander Gentelev shows us exactly what happens when a dark underbelly is flipped on its back: It slaps on some sunscreen, orders a Molotov cocktail, and soaks up those French Riviera rays….

 



Co-presented by The Consulate General of Israel in NY
in association with The Israeli Film Center


CAST & CREDITS

Directed by Alexander Gentelev and Alexander Gentelev

Alexander Gentelev emigrated from Russia to Israel in 1992. He returned to Russia to collect material for a film about the Russian oligarchs. His films include the award-winning The Rise and Fall of the Russian Oligarchs, Generation of Loneliness, Yolki-Palki, The Operation Successor, and Just Like Home.
Director of Photography
Sergei Freedman
Director
Alexander Gentelev
Screenwriter
Alexander Gentelev
Executive Producer
Simone Baumann, Sasha Klein
Producer
Simone Baumann, Sasha Klein
Editor
Alik Baskin
Producer
Maya Zinshtein

CONTACTS

Producer
Sasha Klein
S.M.S Production
Tel-Aviv, 69549
Phone: +972 54 2256211
sasha.klein@gmail.com
Sales Contact
Philippa Kowarsky
Cinephil Distribution & Coproductions
Tel Aviv, 65112
Phone: + 972 3 56 64 129
info@cinephil.co.il
Producer
Maya Zinshtein
S.M.S Production
Tel-Aviv, 69549
Phone: +972 352 39803
maya.zin@gmail.com