Le Mozart des pickpockets (2006)

Richard and Philippe live hand to mouth, backing up a gang of Spanish pickpockets on the streets of Paris, posing as policemen who arrest a gang member while the others rifle the pockets ... See full summary »

Director:

Philippe Pollet-Villard

Writer:

Philippe Pollet-Villard (scenario and dialogue)

Stars:

Matteo Razzouki-Safardi, Philippe Pollet-Villard, Richard Morgiève

Won 1 Oscar. Another 6 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matteo Razzouki-Safardi	...	L'enfant
Philippe Pollet-Villard	...	Philippe
Richard Morgiève	...	Richard
Samir Guesmi	...	Ahmed, le réceptionniste
Emiliano Suarez	...	Max
Jean Sarguera	...	Pickpocket 1
Jean Camaccio	...	Pickpocket 2
Fatima Halassi	...	Angry Woman
Suzanne Wognin	...	Angry Woman
Ludovic Pinette	...	Bowling Policeman
Mathieu Suzanne	...	Cheesed-off Policeman
Jean Bailloux	...	Policeman in Van
Thibault De Lussy	...	Tourist
Lionel Robert
Marcel Roger

Storyline

Richard and Philippe live hand to mouth, backing up a gang of Spanish pickpockets on the streets of Paris, posing as policemen who arrest a gang member while the others rifle the pockets and purses of gawkers. When all of the gang except Richard and Philippe are pinched, things look grim. Plus, Richard insists that they take in a wide-eyed immigrant lad, a deaf-mute left behind in the arrests. Philippe suggests a three-person pickpocket trick, using the boy, but when that goes spectacularly badly, they hit rock bottom. Then, at the cinema, the lad finds a solution. It's time to celebrate.

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Plot Keywords:

pickpocket | arrest | purse | cinema | trick | 

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Genres:

Short | Comedy | Crime

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

French Spanish

Release Date:

15 February 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Mozart of Pickpockets

Filming Locations:

Paris, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Karé Productions, Canal+, Adami

Technical Specs

Runtime:

31 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in The 80th Annual Academy Awards (2008)

User Reviews

Comic criminals

Two Paris losers are enlisted by a gang of Gypsy pickpockets to impersonate cops in order to get them out of tight situations. All does not go according to plan though and the thieves are arrested by real police before the counterfeit cops can step in. Stuck with a mute child of the gang they at first attempt to lose him when they discover he turns out to be a more adept thief than his entire jailed family. With their prodigy they soon become wildly successful robbing billfolds and pocket books from movie patrons across Paris.

This energetic short film is a comic walk on the low life side filled with able performances and deadpanned humor. The hapless leads are well developed in the film's brief running time and tight editing keeps the story moving along. Things get a little excessive at the end as our thieves flush with success conspicuously run through the streets with armloads of booty before they arrogantly trip themselves up in a bowling alley but all in all it remains in keeping with the spirit of this light hearted film about thievery.