The filmmaker Landon Van Soest brings us the mastermind himself, Gerard Blanchard in his latest documentary, The Jewel Thief. Blanchard has no filter in discussing it all, from his early shoplifting from convenient stores to the thrived challenges because old small crimes got old.  

The Synopsis 

The Jewel Thief is the unbelievable first-hand account of Gerard Blanchard, one of the most creative, calculating and accomplished criminal  masterminds in modern history. With savant-like skill and a peculiar pride, Blanchard’s decades-long crime spree ranged from shoplifting to bank robbery to the theft of a royal crown jewel. Told through the first-hand account of Blanchard himself and the unlikely Winnipeg detectives who tracked him across the globe, the film presents an offbeat, rollicking journey through a series of increasingly elaborate heists as Blanchard seeks fame and notoriety through a life of crime. 

Landon Van Soest is known for his work in documentaries. In 2005 he brought us Walking the Line that shows us the chaos between the US and Mexico border that has civilians taking the law and applying it in their own hands. In 2007 there was Good Fortune that shows us Kenyans trying to stand against new commercial developments. For Ahkeem, is one of the most recent projects, where a young student is followed and sees her struggle as she tries to rescue her future after jeopardizing it in a moment of rage.  

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I was connected with Landon Van Soest via Zoom to discuss the making of The Jewel Thief. He discussed his experience in getting to have the subject in the documentary and his experience in getting to interview him along with other personalities around Gerard Blanchard life with stories that not always matched. As well, to getting to use original footage from Blanchard from his early years of practicing his criminal talent and more!  

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The Jewel Thief is now available on Hulu

Source: LRMExclusive, Hulu