I actually just stumbled upon this title on Netflix recently and watched it based on reviews there. I have to say Malik Bader is pretty hairy and not so pleasing to look at but I think this adds to the griminess of his character, Kasper Karr. The fact that it is filmed in a documentary style makes it even better in my opinion. In an interview I read online Bader talks about how the documentary style makes the crime more realistic and it also provides for a unique character study feel for the viewer. In doing this it is also letting the viewer in on the street thief "profession" and showing a side most I think including myself are not used to seeing. That is of course an inside view of a street thief from the thief perspective and not the police or law enforcement side. Another point Bader makes in the interview I read online is that most crime oriented films don't bring you the realism you crave. But this film definitely does with the play by play of Karr's routine and his cold nature. It could almost be likened to an episode of dirty jobs! I'll give it an 8 for its edgy perspective on thievery and for its somewhat character study feel.
15 Reviews
Another clone of "Man bites Dog"
chrisbanach-130 September 2007
Warning: Spoilers
This movie is very well done, even though this kind of fake documentary ain't new.
They're very inspired by the amazing "Man bites Dog" (1992), where a crew is following a thief/serial-killer. "Man bites dog" was much better though because it is all about dark humor and the actor is extremely witty and funny while explaining techniques of kills or robbery. Another similarity is how the crew is eventually becoming involved in the illegal acts of the main actor.
Check this pure classic here : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103905/ because, in my opinion, nothing will ever top "Man bites dog".
But this one is a nice try and definitely worth watching.
They're very inspired by the amazing "Man bites Dog" (1992), where a crew is following a thief/serial-killer. "Man bites dog" was much better though because it is all about dark humor and the actor is extremely witty and funny while explaining techniques of kills or robbery. Another similarity is how the crew is eventually becoming involved in the illegal acts of the main actor.
Check this pure classic here : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103905/ because, in my opinion, nothing will ever top "Man bites dog".
But this one is a nice try and definitely worth watching.
Great Film, unique suspense crime drama
trioptickrebbs17 July 2021
You will find yourself caring very much for Karr, despite is not so loveable persona. After all, he is an unrepentant thief with an overbearing ego. But, you will overlook all his flaws by the end.
Original and genius screenplay.
Original and genius screenplay.
great movie, hope it gets picked up
azazual9923 December 2006
Hey anyone looking for a fresh look at a criminal movie, this is it. I saw this at the Tribeca Film Festival and I was blown away. The Q&A with director afterwords was great because people couldn't grasp what they just saw. It is so real its scary. Too bad this movie hasn't been picked up yet because it would do great both in box office and in rentals. I'm not sure if its still playing in festivals but if it is playing near you go see it. You wont be disappointed. The filmmakers follow a thief on his routine of scouting locations and prepping for the heist. The thief is aware of the camera and actually isn't always compliant with the filmmakers during interview sessions. In fact he doesn't even allow the filmmakers to go inside most places and actually film what he's doing. He is mic'ed so we only hear whats going on. This effect makes the film seem even more real. I don't want to ruin the movie for anyone but the one heist he does allow the filmmakers inside for is quiet amazing to watch. I remember being on the edge of my seat and usually I look around the audience to see everyone else,s reactions, being a filmmaker myself, but this scene I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. So again I strongly recommend this film to everyone. I believe this is one of the best films of the year and the best one I saw at Tribeca.
Well-acted, well-filmed fake documentary
UNOhwen25 September 2013
I'm amazed at the number of people Lexington this film and think it portrays an actual thief doing real crimes.
It isn't.
Nor could it.
If 'Kaspar' was as 'smart' as he constantly reminds the crew (and us), he'd be VERY dumb to have his face, filmed as well as filmed proof of his crimes.
Saying that, I WILL say that unlike a lot (most) other fake, documentary-styled fiction, it is VERY convincingly made.
As this is just a review, I'll only go so far as to say that some of the methods Kaspar used are not accurate (clever, yes - & a helluva lot better than either your typical 'crime' film, or - even what REAL thieves would do/use).
Director/star Malik Bader gets credit - for making Kaspar a fully-dimensional character.
Not a likable one, but, definitely believable.
It isn't.
Nor could it.
If 'Kaspar' was as 'smart' as he constantly reminds the crew (and us), he'd be VERY dumb to have his face, filmed as well as filmed proof of his crimes.
Saying that, I WILL say that unlike a lot (most) other fake, documentary-styled fiction, it is VERY convincingly made.
As this is just a review, I'll only go so far as to say that some of the methods Kaspar used are not accurate (clever, yes - & a helluva lot better than either your typical 'crime' film, or - even what REAL thieves would do/use).
Director/star Malik Bader gets credit - for making Kaspar a fully-dimensional character.
Not a likable one, but, definitely believable.
To catch a thief.
morrison-dylan-fan20 September 2010
Warning: Spoilers
As I was reading a message board recently,with people talking about what films they have been watching on DVD.Someone gave a long post about a film that sounded very interesting called Street Thief.When I went looking online for the disc,I,first checked on Amazon UK,whose search results showed that the film was not in the sites database.
I kept searching online and it seemed that there was no where at all that I could get the film from.One day,after having given up finding the film a few weeks ago,I was looking on eBay at the auctions that were about to end.And,I almost jumped out of my seat ,when,I spotted that one person was selling the DVD (with five minutes to go!)I quickly placed my bid.I was thrilled that a few days later,when this incredibly made,gripping film arrived in the post.
The plot:
A documentary film crew are making a film about "profesinal" (though he hates being called that)street thief Kasper Carr.Unlike most street thieves,who mostly do very petty crimes,Kasper always aims big.With breaking into safes being his speciality.The crew follow Kasper as he plans several big robberies,which include robbing one of the main supermarkets and cinema in the area.
Carr tells the makers that he needs time to make sure that his plans go well...As the documentary makers become certain that they are never going to hear from Carr again.They,suddenly get a voice message of Kasper telling telling them that he is offering them to come and film a robbery that he is going to do tonight at a local nightclub.
When they start filming the safe cracking,Kasper seems strangely more nervous than he has ever been before.After the robbery having been successfully done.Kasper tells the film crew that his next plan is to do his biggest ever safe robbery... View on the film:
Two things that stick out to me about finding information about the film,were the surprisings lack of detail about the film online,and-to my complete surprise,the main information that I found out was that the film is completely fictional!!.Also,that the director played the lead character in the film!.
The editing by Nadav Kurtz (who was also one of the producers of the film)makes the fake "documenter" look completely real.With the finale safe-cracking being a complete edge-of-your-seat thriller.Kurtz also shows the changing relationship of Kasper and the film crew.Going from the crew shooting from a far distance,to being right in the thick of it during Carrs biggest robbery.
Due to being in 95% percent of the film (though sadly not in the very surprising ending.)all the focus of the film is on the performance of director Malik Bader as Kasper Carr.Bader,impressively gives a very realistic,natural performance as Kasper.The performance is so convincing,that to me,I genuinely believed that Kasper Carr was in fact a real person.Malik also gives the film a great fast-moving rough-and- ready guerrilla-style documentary look.This includes,having some of the "film makers" wearing hidden microphones when trying to interview people,and the camera rushing and shaking,as the camera man tries to film each heist.
Final view on the film:
A very daring film,with an original screenplay,nail-biting editing and directing,and a truly captivating performance from Bader.
I kept searching online and it seemed that there was no where at all that I could get the film from.One day,after having given up finding the film a few weeks ago,I was looking on eBay at the auctions that were about to end.And,I almost jumped out of my seat ,when,I spotted that one person was selling the DVD (with five minutes to go!)I quickly placed my bid.I was thrilled that a few days later,when this incredibly made,gripping film arrived in the post.
The plot:
A documentary film crew are making a film about "profesinal" (though he hates being called that)street thief Kasper Carr.Unlike most street thieves,who mostly do very petty crimes,Kasper always aims big.With breaking into safes being his speciality.The crew follow Kasper as he plans several big robberies,which include robbing one of the main supermarkets and cinema in the area.
Carr tells the makers that he needs time to make sure that his plans go well...As the documentary makers become certain that they are never going to hear from Carr again.They,suddenly get a voice message of Kasper telling telling them that he is offering them to come and film a robbery that he is going to do tonight at a local nightclub.
When they start filming the safe cracking,Kasper seems strangely more nervous than he has ever been before.After the robbery having been successfully done.Kasper tells the film crew that his next plan is to do his biggest ever safe robbery... View on the film:
Two things that stick out to me about finding information about the film,were the surprisings lack of detail about the film online,and-to my complete surprise,the main information that I found out was that the film is completely fictional!!.Also,that the director played the lead character in the film!.
The editing by Nadav Kurtz (who was also one of the producers of the film)makes the fake "documenter" look completely real.With the finale safe-cracking being a complete edge-of-your-seat thriller.Kurtz also shows the changing relationship of Kasper and the film crew.Going from the crew shooting from a far distance,to being right in the thick of it during Carrs biggest robbery.
Due to being in 95% percent of the film (though sadly not in the very surprising ending.)all the focus of the film is on the performance of director Malik Bader as Kasper Carr.Bader,impressively gives a very realistic,natural performance as Kasper.The performance is so convincing,that to me,I genuinely believed that Kasper Carr was in fact a real person.Malik also gives the film a great fast-moving rough-and- ready guerrilla-style documentary look.This includes,having some of the "film makers" wearing hidden microphones when trying to interview people,and the camera rushing and shaking,as the camera man tries to film each heist.
Final view on the film:
A very daring film,with an original screenplay,nail-biting editing and directing,and a truly captivating performance from Bader.
A great film which has a secret that brings it down a bit
gzamikes14 August 2007
Anyone who has seen this should know it's a hard movie to review without giving away the big secret associated with it.
As I was watching it, I was surprised it hadn't been picked up by a distributor but after it ended, I realized why. Unfortunately it's not a secret that appears at the end of the movie and if you do too much poking around before watching this, you'll be able to figure it out on your own which will ruin your experience. I highly suggest seeing this without doing too much research on it. Not wanting to go blind into it? The movie follows a thief who cases places and then robs them. He goes from one job to the next staying two steps ahead of the people filming him by being mysterious but very revealing at the same time.
This is a well-shot film that also does a fine job of holding your attention. It's really captivating from the first few minutes and the movie doesn't let up until the end. However, the secret associated with the movie brings it down a bit. Highly recommended otherwise.
As I was watching it, I was surprised it hadn't been picked up by a distributor but after it ended, I realized why. Unfortunately it's not a secret that appears at the end of the movie and if you do too much poking around before watching this, you'll be able to figure it out on your own which will ruin your experience. I highly suggest seeing this without doing too much research on it. Not wanting to go blind into it? The movie follows a thief who cases places and then robs them. He goes from one job to the next staying two steps ahead of the people filming him by being mysterious but very revealing at the same time.
This is a well-shot film that also does a fine job of holding your attention. It's really captivating from the first few minutes and the movie doesn't let up until the end. However, the secret associated with the movie brings it down a bit. Highly recommended otherwise.
Insult Thief
kkuenz20 August 2020
This a sad stab at an actual documentary. The dialogue is consistently filled with hypocrisy it makes so easy to see the transparency. I usually root for the antihero, but in this case I'm watching to the end in the hopes that Kaspar gets busted and is sentenced to 20 or 30 years! You guys hungry?
Real or fake?
chillmanjustchill22 June 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I really enjoyed this movie and it creeped me out that these filmmakers were following this man around while he was committing these acts of burglary. I kept realizing how close the ending was getting as the movie was coming to a close and couldn't imagine how the ending would be. When it came I was very shocked and it made me sort of cringe in my seat and look over my shoulder. I couldn't imagine how easy it looked for this one man to rob everything that he did from the people that he did.
So, that's why i was so compelled by the movie and searched for it. I later read that one of the filmmakers played the part of Karr and that it was just a re-representation of the things that he had done. So, basically it was fake and just the things that occurred had happened before. Is this true? Either way, the movie was great.
So, that's why i was so compelled by the movie and searched for it. I later read that one of the filmmakers played the part of Karr and that it was just a re-representation of the things that he had done. So, basically it was fake and just the things that occurred had happened before. Is this true? Either way, the movie was great.
Not a "rip off" of Man Bites Dog.
where_is_my_mind0925 January 2012
While I know there are rabid fans of "Man Bites Dog" I cannot agree with a previous reviewers parallel between the two films. "Man Bites Dog" is a dark, and I mean, DARK satire on how society holds criminals up and how "normal" people (in this case the film makers) can get caught up in the moment. Not with this movie. The "film makers" approach the subject with cold calculated view. There are no scenes of children being murdered like in "man bites dog" in which the film makers just keep filming. In this "documentary" the film makers take a different path. While it's easy to judge the killer in "man bites dog" as a true sociopath the thief in "Street Thief" is a bit more complex. This is a guy with complete control over himself and his actions. To be quite honest I was (God help me) kind of rooting for the guy as he did his "scores" around the Chicago area. The guy is a likable jerk. He can be tolerated yet understood. Why? He's a criminal, plain and simple. He doesn't mug for the camera or brag about how he's King Salami and can't be stopped. He KNOWS the proverbial clock is ticking. Therefore the ending is a pleasant surprise that makes you want to watch it again.
Great movie
wo-is-me19 October 2006
Enjoyed it a lot.
That's all.
It's a hard movie to summarize without spoiling it.
Saw it at the Chicago Int'l Film Festival last night, and if this does receive a theatrical release, I'd recommend going. Per the director, there may already be plans to release it on cable and DVD, and theatrical options for New York/Los Angeles/Chicago are being explored. Keep your fingers crossed.
I'm sure other people will add more useful comments, but someone had to get this started.
That's all.
It's a hard movie to summarize without spoiling it.
Saw it at the Chicago Int'l Film Festival last night, and if this does receive a theatrical release, I'd recommend going. Per the director, there may already be plans to release it on cable and DVD, and theatrical options for New York/Los Angeles/Chicago are being explored. Keep your fingers crossed.
I'm sure other people will add more useful comments, but someone had to get this started.
great movie
frank_sobotka2 June 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I had no idea it was "FAKE"
It just looks so real, I never saw a movie like this before.
It is unreal to me how it was made, it is so artistic and original. During the whole movie the only possible fake thing to me seemed like the interviews with the other thief who was in jail. The part when he is in the warehouse showing all the makeup and uniforms was a bit fake.
I really think the movie was going to glamorize the thief and it did and it didn't at the end.
In reality stealing is bad, very bad. Not just because of getting arrested but feeling guilty.
It just looks so real, I never saw a movie like this before.
It is unreal to me how it was made, it is so artistic and original. During the whole movie the only possible fake thing to me seemed like the interviews with the other thief who was in jail. The part when he is in the warehouse showing all the makeup and uniforms was a bit fake.
I really think the movie was going to glamorize the thief and it did and it didn't at the end.
In reality stealing is bad, very bad. Not just because of getting arrested but feeling guilty.
Fake as hell
booalijules6 August 2019
Gritty, Well Crafted, In Your Face Crime Saga from Malik Bader
Videoverdose12 September 2021
Once in awhile a truly great film flies so far under the radar it's tragic. Enter Malik Bader's STREET THIEF. I've returned to this movie over the years probably more so than most of my favorite films. Something about it just strikes the right chords in me.
Two filmmakers document the daring crimes of a master thief named Kaspar Carr as he creeps through the city planning and executing break-ins, robberies, and jewelry heists-all while staying two steps ahead of the cops and any other threat to his meticulous hustle. Think MAN BITES DOG but with a hard-edged, charismatic master thief at the enter of the action. Carr smokes like a wildfire, swears like a sailor, he's street smart, calculating and cool-and he's dangerously good at his job.
Shot on grainy 16mm, the film is intense, suspenseful with an in-your-face verism that absolutely feels like the events unfolding are real life. It's a faux doc, crime film, noir, and character study all rolled into one. Writer/director/star Malik Bader's charismatic performance as our lone wolf protagonist gives the film a rugged realism, and the open ending always stays with me awhile. I never get tired of watching this movie. It probably sounds like I'm overselling it, but whatever, I love it and I think it deserves more attention.
Two filmmakers document the daring crimes of a master thief named Kaspar Carr as he creeps through the city planning and executing break-ins, robberies, and jewelry heists-all while staying two steps ahead of the cops and any other threat to his meticulous hustle. Think MAN BITES DOG but with a hard-edged, charismatic master thief at the enter of the action. Carr smokes like a wildfire, swears like a sailor, he's street smart, calculating and cool-and he's dangerously good at his job.
Shot on grainy 16mm, the film is intense, suspenseful with an in-your-face verism that absolutely feels like the events unfolding are real life. It's a faux doc, crime film, noir, and character study all rolled into one. Writer/director/star Malik Bader's charismatic performance as our lone wolf protagonist gives the film a rugged realism, and the open ending always stays with me awhile. I never get tired of watching this movie. It probably sounds like I'm overselling it, but whatever, I love it and I think it deserves more attention.
Superbly made!
DigitalDint20 June 2021
I can highly recommend seeing this movie for it's entertainment value!
I really liked the perceived realism of it, especially when considering:
A) This is a fairly independent production ("non-Hollywood").
B) The plot and style was quite original!
I really liked the perceived realism of it, especially when considering:
A) This is a fairly independent production ("non-Hollywood").
B) The plot and style was quite original!
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
