Einmal Dieb, immer Dieb (2007)

Jean Berlinger is a master thief. He and Inspector Leibniz have known each other for a long time. Berlinger switched sides after two years of police service. “I work in an industry that makes your job possible in the first place,” he tells Leibniz with a smile. But it has no future, Leibniz replies, because Berlinger has too good a heart to be a gangster. He did make a lot of money from van Gogh’s “Sunflowers,” which the museum got back, but he gave it to a retirement home threatened with closure. And he used the Rubens painting he had tracked down to support a shelter for the homeless. His last job, as far as Leibniz knows, was two years ago now. He must be nearly broke by this point. “One day I’ll catch you. You won’t always be lucky,” the inspector is sure. “Only the untalented need luck,” Berlinger replies, and turns to leave. mini|200px|Bust of Nefertiti, which Berlinger intends to steal in the film Berlinger plans to steal the “Bust of Nefertiti,” on display at the Egyptian Museum in Berlin. From a neighboring building that houses a kindergarten, he gets a sense of the best way to break into the museum and makes the necessary preparations. He had already crossed paths with Julia Weber, who works there as a kindergarten teacher, twice before. To talk with her about the theft of her bicycle, he invites the young woman to an upscale restaurant. However, she has some very definite opinions about a small portion of pasta that is supposed to cost €25. To Julia’s surprise, he is able to return her stolen bike. He is also very good with the children at the kindergarten, and Julia falls in love with him. After a few detours, they spend a night together. By chance, Julia discovers what Berlinger is planning. He explains that he has been stealing art and selling it to rich people for nearly 30 years. Yes, he used her at first, but then he was impressed by her and fell in love with her. Julia needs some time to digest this and think it over. But she then agrees to help, provided Berlinger pays for the kindergarten to be completely renovated, covers five years’ rent, buys new toys, and hires two additional teachers. Since the real Nefertiti is already on its way to Paris for an art exhibition, Berlinger plans to steal a copy made by Julia’s colleague Teresa. In addition to her work at the kindergarten, Teresa is a talented sculptor with a practical streak, which is why she voted in favor of Berlinger’s proposal. To make it look as though he had no idea the real Nefertiti was no longer in its place at the museum, the master thief takes the fence Pajak along and, after collecting the second half of the million, tricks him once again—with the help of the kindergarten children. In the end, Pajak is even grateful to him and says he is a genius. Shortly afterward, Jean Berlinger is on his way to Paris with Julia in a chauffeur-driven car, drinking champagne.