"The Man with the Magic Box" "The Man with the Magic Box" is a Polish science fiction film directed by Bodo Kox and released in 2017. The film is set in a dystopian future where a totalitarian government is in power and technology has taken over every aspect of society. The story follows a man named Adam, who works in a CCTV control room and has his memories erased every couple of months to keep him compliant. One day, he discovers an old-fashioned radio in the basement of the building and begins to hear mysterious signals that bring flashes of his past life back to him. As Adam tries to uncover the truth about his past, he becomes entangled in a dangerous game with the government. He meets a woman named Goria, who also believes that there is more to the world than what they have been told.
As with the retro-fitted world of Blade Runner, Kox provides a setting in which the future and the past are welded together with the gleaming, glass edifices of the corporate world juxtaposed by the dingy apartment inhabited by Adam. The film allows itself a few light hearted attempts at futurism (such as showing how furniture will be bought and paid for) but it is often dark and claustrophobic, with exterior shots being rare. Even with these confines, cinematographer Dominik Danilczyk has a knack of making the mundane seem other-worldly.
Having its international premiere at Busan, the film will undoubtedly become a fixture of the genre festival circuit, as its relative curio value in being an Eastern European sci-fi will undoubtedly trump its more flawed elements. He is numbered among the most important and expressive authors of the Polish independent cinema, where he gained the nickname of off icon and brought numerous awards.
He meets a woman named Goria, who also believes that there is more to the world than what they have been told. Together, they embark on a journey to uncover the secrets that the government is trying to hide. "The Man with the Magic Box" is a visually stunning film with a retro-futuristic aesthetic.
'The Man With The Magic Box': Busan Review
Polish sci-fi thriller The Man With Magic Box reverberates with myriad influences from Terry Gilliam and Steven Spielberg to Andrei Tarkovsky – it even manages to get an overt reference to 1997’s Men In Black during the opening moments. Set in a dystopian future, the film’s time travel plot will be of comforting familiarity to the genre crowd it is clearly aimed at.
Cinematographer Dominik Danilczyk has a knack of making the mundane seem other-worldly
Having its international premiere at Busan, the film will undoubtedly become a fixture of the genre festival circuit, as its relative curio value in being an Eastern European sci-fi will undoubtedly trump its more flawed elements. The film will also see a domestic release in October.
In 2030 Warsaw, Adam (Piotr Polak) wakes up without any memory of his previous life and finds himself working as a cleaner in a corporate office. There he falls for office manager Goria (Olga Boladz) who – despite her higher status – soon embarks on a fling with amnesiac employee. Back in his decrepit apartment Adam discovers an old radio from the 1950s and – as he listens to it – is beset with mysterious visions of another life. As he tries to decipher his past experiences, and what has led him to 2030, Goria becomes involved in his quest. But the government are also watching.
As with the retro-fitted world of Blade Runner, Kox provides a setting in which the future and the past are welded together with the gleaming, glass edifices of the corporate world juxtaposed by the dingy apartment inhabited by Adam. The film allows itself a few light hearted attempts at futurism (such as showing how furniture will be bought and paid for) but it is often dark and claustrophobic, with exterior shots being rare. Even with these confines, cinematographer Dominik Danilczyk has a knack of making the mundane seem other-worldly.
The film’s narrative is contained within a quasi-flashback structure which tends towards the confusing – though genre fans might be able to happily paper over some of the inconsistencies.
It might be harder, however, to ignore the lack of chemistry between the leads. While Polak and Boladz give fine individual performances, they never truly convince as a couple so the latter stages of the film – in which Goria desperately searches for her newfound love – never quite ring true.
Production company / International Sales: Alter Ego Pictures, [email protected]
Producers: Izabela Igel, Roman Jarosz
Screenplay: Bodo Kox
Cinematography: Dominik Danilczyk, Arkadiusz Tomiak
Editor: Milenia Fiedler
Main cast: Piotr Polak, Agata Buzek, Arkadiusz Jakubik, Olga Boladz
The director skillfully juxtaposes the cold, sterile world of the future with the warm, nostalgic elements of the past. The film is beautifully shot, with a color palette that shifts between dark and muted tones to vibrant flashes of red and blue. The performances in the film are strong, particularly Piotr Polak as Adam. He portrays the character with a quiet intensity, capturing both his confusion and determination to uncover the truth. Olga Boladz also delivers a compelling performance as Goria, bringing a sense of vulnerability and strength to her character. The film's narrative is complex and thought-provoking, exploring themes of memory, identity, and the dangerous consequences of an oppressive government. It raises questions about the importance of individuality and the power of human connection in a world dominated by technology. Overall, "The Man with the Magic Box" is an intriguing film that combines elements of science fiction and dystopia with a touch of romance. It is a visually stunning and thought-provoking exploration of the human spirit and the desire to break free from the constraints of society..
Reviews for "The Visual Aesthetics of 'The Man with the Magic Box"
- Sarah - 1 star
I found "The man with the magic box" extremely boring and confusing. The story lacked direction and was all over the place. The characters were poorly developed and hard to connect with. I couldn't understand the purpose of the movie, and the ending left me feeling unsatisfied. Overall, I would not recommend wasting your time on this film.
- John - 2 stars
"The man with the magic box" had an interesting concept, but it was poorly executed. The pacing was slow, and I found myself losing interest halfway through. The storyline was confusing and lacked coherence. The acting was also mediocre, and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. The visuals were the only redeeming factor, but it wasn't enough to make up for the overall disappointment of the film.
- Emily - 1.5 stars
I had high hopes for "The man with the magic box," but it fell flat. The plot was convoluted and difficult to follow, leaving me perplexed throughout the entire film. The pacing was slow, and the lack of character development made it hard to invest in any of the individuals on the screen. The movie felt disjointed, and the ending didn't provide any closure or satisfaction. I was left disappointed and regretting my decision to watch this film.