Le Petit Voleur

The headstrong S. (Nicolas Duvauchelle) is fired from his job as an apprentice baker. Impulsively, he decides to leave for the big city and try his hand at becoming a professional thief instead. Upon his arrival in Marseille S. hooks up with a small-time crew led by Œil. After an enthusiastic start, S. soon finds himself in over his head and must decide whether he is able live by the violent methods of his new gang.

Eric Zonca’s medium length feature, commissioned by the Franco-German channel ‘Arte’, is a testament to the director’s versatility and the possibilities of making quality films for TV. Made immediately after his deservedly acclaimed and popular The Dream Life of Angels, he continues to explore the themes of work and social exclusion through misguided characters living on the breadline (quite literally in S.’ case), who straddle both sides of the law.

Zonca has always extracted unforgettable performances and Le Petit voleur proves to be no exception, with impressive turns from Guédiguian regular Yann Tregouët and rising star Nicolas Duvauchelle (Beau travail).