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Only Living Pickpocket in New York: VIFF 2026

The Vancouver International Film Festival returns for their 45th year this October 1-11 for another curated season celebrating the best in independent, Canadian, documentary, and international shorts and features.


A hustler with a particular set of skills and especially sticky fingers, Harry Lehman (John Turturro) wasn’t made for these times. A knack for lifting wallets undetected on crowded New York City subways is of little use in a world that has gone cashless. Now staring down 70 and struggling to provide adequate care for his disabled wife, Harry finds his circumstances growing even more desperate when he fences a highly valuable USB stick stolen from an extremely vengeful crime family.

Much like the unwaveringly analogue Harry, Noah Segan’s feature, The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, is a charming throwback that recalls the underworld dramas of the 1970s and scrappy American independents of the 1990s. As Harry races against the clock and hops between boroughs in a bid to recover the USB stick, Turturro delivers an exquisite performance as a wiseacre who is typically one step ahead of everyone but now finds himself behind the eight ball.

Tuesday, October 6
Doors: 5:15 pm | Film: 5:45 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Tickets HERE


For detailed Vancouver International Film Fest information, including current showtimes and advance ticketing, please re-direct to www.viff.org.

All ticketing for VIFF events are managed by VIFF. If you have any questions about ticketing and availability, please connect with them directly. Please do not contact the Rio Theatre for ticketing info or assistance.

Unless otherwise noted, all VIFF screenings and events at the Rio Theatre are 19+ only. Please have valid ID with you upon arrival.

VIFF screenings at the Rio Theatre tend to be busy! All seating is General Admission. We encourage all patrons to purchase tickets in advance to ensure entry, and to please come early (20-30 mins at least) to ensure time to locate great seats and purchase drinks and snacks at concession. The Rio Theate has a small lobby, and coming early helps prevent long lines and bottle-necking.

Please note: Rio Theatre Groupons and passes are n/a for any VIFF events.


VIFF thanks the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations for their continued stewardship of the unceded and occupied land on which our work takes place. As an organization founded and predominantly directed by settlers and immigrants, we understand our responsibility to seek out and build authentic relationships with Indigenous communities, and to allow this ongoing dialogue to influence our practices. As part of this process, we remain committed to collaborating with and supporting Indigenous artists, filmmakers, curators, and audiences.

Harry Lehman is an aging pickpocket who plies his trade with ever-diminishing returns in a drastically changed New York. Wallets stuffed with cash have been replaced by easily cancelled credit cards, and Harry struggles to make ends meet as he cares for his disabled wife, Rosie. When he unwittingly purloins and fences a valuable USB stick, Harry finds himself in a race against time to return the loot or face the rage of a vengeful crime family.

2026

Release Year

R

Rated

United States of America

Country Of Origin

Noah Segan

Director

English

Languages

88 minutes

Runtime