The Thief (, Vor) is a 1997 Russian drama film written and directed by Pavel Chukhray. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and won the Nika Award for Best Picture and Best Directing. Also winner of the International Youth Jury's prize, the President of the Italian Senate's gold medal, and the UNICEF Award at the 1997 Venice Film Festival.

Plot

Katya, a destitute widow, and her young son Sanya struggle to survive in the post-war Soviet Union from the late 1940s to the early 1950s. Sanya was born in 1946, after his father's death, leaving Katya to raise him alone. Though Sanya never knew his father, he often imagines his presence. In 1952, they encounter Tolyan, a charming officer, who seduces Katya. She falls in love with him, and they begin living together, with Tolyan posing as her husband and a father figure to Sanya.