The Memory Thief

THE MEMORY THIEF is the story of Lukas - an aimless, young man in contemporary L.A. who buries thoughts of his own past in the humdrum routine of a tollbooth clerk. A chance encounter with a Holocaust survivor suddenly brings into focus a world and an identity he embraces with frightening intensity - the victimized Jews of World War II. As he begins to enthusiastically act out his newfound obsession, Lukas, a non-Jew, discovers that survivor's guilt isn't just for the Jews anymore. THE MEMORY THIEF, starring Mark Webber, is a mesmerizing, audacious psychological thriller in the tradition of TAXI DRIVER.

“Morally audacious and intriguingly original… a strange and melancholy journey to the heart of madness” – New York Times Critic's Pick

“Heartbreaking!” – Chicago Tribune

More challenging than most documentaries about the subject. – Chicago Reader

“The Memory Thief plays like The Man in the Glass Booth in reverse, or maybe The King of Comedy with a sense of history. The movie is forcefully told, thoughtfully composed, effortlessly acted and depressing as hell… “ Time Out NY 4 Stars

“Least sentimental Holocaust film on record” – Village Voice.

“Deeply felt performances” – Philadelphia Inquirer

“Acting is good, particularly Webber” – Variety

“Captivating… a genius performance from Mark Webber” – Denver Westword

“Gutsy and unorthodox feature film debut” – Jewish News Weekly

“Uncompromisingly bleak vision”– TV GUIDE

“A peculiar and confident creation…. The Memory Thief is one of the first films to address the notion of Holocaust testimonials — what these videos mean, the power they can have on those with or without a connection to the events, and the way they can be misused.” - NY SUN

“Kofman’s odd little film begins almost like a dark comedy and proceeds toward creepier territory.” - NY Magazine

“The Memory Thief” is a singularly disquieting experience… Lukas recalls a kinder, gentler Travis Bickle, and Webber (“Broken Flowers”) embodies him with some of the same wild-eyed fury that Robert DeNiro brought to his career-defining role in “Taxi Driver.” - SF Chronicle

“Subversive and scintillating” –Downtown Express