Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived a man known by the name of Jack. Jack was a simple man, leading a quiet life. However, he possessed something extraordinary - a magic box. This box had been passed down through generations in his family, and it was believed to have special powers. The magic box was made of an intricately carved wood, with symbols and patterns adorning its surface. It was said that whoever possessed this box had the ability to grant wishes.
Protagonist comes back to his apartment where everything is in its place including radio and tv sets but their internal mechanisms have been removed. He is told that he has to move out because the building will be torn down.
SELECTED AWARDS 2014 ROME INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIWAL- BEST FOREIGN FILM 2013 TOFFIFEST GOLDEN ANGEL 2013 FILMFESTIVAL COTTBUS DEBUT FILM AWARD 2013 POLISH FILM FESTIWAL CHICAGO YOUNG TALENT AWARD 2013 CAMERIMAGE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL GRAND PRIX POLISH MOVIES 2013 ARRAS FILM FESTIVAL SLIVER ATLAS 2013 ARRAS FILM FESTIVAL JOUNG JURY AWARD. In the hands of a less talented director, such a huge amount of references and an eclectic variety of styles may well have resulted in pure gibberish, but with Kox in charge, The Man proves to be a disciplined and bump-free ride.
It was said that whoever possessed this box had the ability to grant wishes. However, there was one condition - the wishes could only be used to benefit others, not oneself. As word spread about the man with the magic box, people from far and wide began to seek him out.
The Man With The Magic Box
Want to see a sex scene as a terrorist attack takes place in the background? If so, then this movie is for you. The Man With the Magic Box is an explosive—occasionally climactic—sci-fi thriller with a kinky twist.
There’s a lot of twists in this twisted fable. The greatest of which comes in the spirit of Andrei Tarkovsky’s Solaris . Our hero, a man by the name of Adam, must decide if he would rather live in the tumultuous present or the dreams of a Utopian past. But what exactly constitutes as past or present? He’s presently living in 2030 Warsaw, but the magic radio in his room takes him back to the 1950s. Where he decides to stay is up to the dueling of his dueling polarities.
“The first time we see these two lovebirds they are being interrogated separately. ‘Have you ever seen Men in Black ?'”
Dueling polarities are nothing new for Polish director Bodo Kox, whose film isn’t sure whether it wants to be a Terry Gilliam psychodrama, a Tarkovsy melodrama or drama-less trash in the name of Besson. What is sure about is its ambition. This eager-to-please Polish aberration will have you rooting for its success—the very idea of a time travel love story would intrigue any fan of the sci-fi genre.
It had me intrigued for the first hour or so. The first time we see these two lovebirds they are being interrogated separately. “Have you ever seen Men in Black ?” a man in a grey suit asks. “We have a device just like it,” he tells Goria (Oga Boladz). (A mind wiping device might have come in handy for the third act. Still, your memory will cherish the mysterious moments of the first two).
The first time we see these two together, it’s love at first stare. He’s working as a cleaner. She’s staring from her office. And before you can change your Facebook status to ‘It’s complicated,” they’re having passionate sex in his dingy apartment. That’s not the only thing unprotected in their relationship: We are told that he’s a fugitive, the government is watching and that reality is uncertain.
“… an intriguing premise. One made all the more gripping by its comments on television.”
It’s an intriguing premise. One made all the more gripping by its comments on television. How its viewers willingly abide by whatever is being streamed that day. The way “the magic box” guides Adam through the Andy Warhol-like future. Warsaw takes the shape of a Rubik’s Cube. A world of systemic patterns and flashy colors. It’s an easy one to get lost in from your own television. Which makes it a shame the plot also gets lost amidst the modernized skyscrapers.
That’s to say that The Man With the Magic Box has more heart than craft. The film is as cluttered as the trash heaps the camera captures in passing by. Too many ideas, too little time. It’s the same problem this relationship is faced with. When Goria and Adam get ideas for the future, the government interferes. Whenever the future gets ideas about the past, Kox isn’t sure how to tie the two together. Love may win in the end, but the botched finale will have you feeling lukewarm.
The Man With The Magic Box (2019) Directed by Bodo Kox. Written by Bodo Kox, Paulina Krajnik. Starring Oga Boladz, Piotr Polak, Sebastian Stankiewicz, Helena Norowicz, Wojciech Zieliński.
He is a Polish happener, director, actor and screenwriter, graduated from journalism. He is considered one of the most interesting and original representatives of the Polish independent cinema. He played in many cult films of this genre (including SATURDAY NIGHT SORE and NOSEBLEED), which made him the icon of the Polish OFF cinema and brought numerous awards, including OFFscar for the role of Pablo in Nosebleed (2005) and Jury Award for Wasteland and Homo Father in the Independent Cinema Competition at 30th Gdynia Film Festival. His films are characteristic for black and often very unique humour. He directed a short film MARCO P. and the BIKE THIEVES (2005), which has been highly acclaimed at prestigious festivals and retrospectives of independent cinema.
They came with hopes and dreams, longing for their wishes to come true. Jack, being a kind-hearted person, always listened intently to their requests. Sometimes, villagers would ask for better health for their loved ones or a prosperous harvest for their fields. Other times, travelers passing through the village would seek Jack's help in finding a lost treasure or reuniting with a long-lost relative. No matter the wish, Jack always did his best to fulfill them. However, the magic box came with great responsibility. Jack had to use it wisely and discern which wishes were truly worthy. He understood that sometimes what people desired was not necessarily what they needed. He would often have long conversations with those who sought his help, trying to guide them towards a more meaningful wish. Through his acts of kindness, Jack became renowned for his selflessness and dedication to helping others. The magic box brought hope and joy to those who had lost faith in miracles. It reminded people that even in the most difficult times, there was always a glimmer of magic and hope. As the years went by, Jack grew old and passed the magic box on to his son, with the hope that he would continue the legacy of spreading joy and granting wishes for others. The magic box became a symbol of compassion and selflessness in the village, reminding people to always think of the well-being of others. And so, the story of the man with the magic box continues to inspire generations. It teaches us the importance of using our talents and abilities to benefit others and bring happiness into their lives. The magic box serves as a reminder that true magic lies within our own hearts when we show kindness and empathy towards others..
Reviews for "The True Identity of the Man with the Magic Box"
- Sarah - 2 stars - I was really excited to watch "The Man with the Magic Box" after hearing all the hype, but I was ultimately disappointed. The story felt scattered and confusing, leaving me with more questions than answers. The characters lacked depth and their motivations were unclear. I found it difficult to connect with any of them. The pacing was also extremely slow, making it hard to stay engaged. Overall, I was left underwhelmed by this film.
- Jason - 1 star - "The Man with the Magic Box" was a complete waste of time for me. The plot was convoluted and made no sense whatsoever. It seemed like the filmmakers were trying to be clever, but it just ended up being frustrating. The acting was also subpar, with the lead actor delivering a wooden and emotionless performance. I couldn't wait for the movie to end and I definitely wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
- Emily - 2 stars - This film had an interesting concept, but it failed to deliver on its potential. The world-building was weak and left many unanswered questions. The visuals were also lackluster and didn't add anything to the story. The pacing was slow, making it difficult to stay engaged. Overall, "The Man with the Magic Box" felt like a missed opportunity and I was left feeling unsatisfied.
- Jacob - 1 star - I found "The Man with the Magic Box" to be a complete bore. The story was confusing and lacked any clear direction. The characters were forgettable and I had no reason to care about what happened to them. The dialogue was stale and the acting was unimpressive. I struggled to find any redeeming qualities in this film and would not recommend it to anyone.