Films/DVD Asylum

Did anyone see "The Magician"?

124.176.53.177

This is an uber-low budget Australian movie ($3k) released a couple of years ago. It is a fictional documentary about a hit-man, but it has nothing in common with other hit-man movies. I only just got round to seeing it and I really loved it. It was just so Strine and darkly funny. I heard somewhere that it was a rip-off of a French movie - does anyone know if this is true? If so, what's the name of the orginal movie?

Cheers. Doug

Follow Ups:

It sounds a lot like Man Bites Dog. - Harmonia 14:24:36 10/21/08 (8)
Famous, dark (and disturbing) French pseudo-doc about a serial killer. The film crew and the killer interact.
- Strange you mention "Man bites Dog." I just happened to see it at my local - tinear 20:33:14 10/21/08 (7)
  library and brought it home.
  When first I saw it many years ago, I hated it.
  Now, the violence doesn't seem quite as horrific but it still deeply is disturbing.
  It is rather a brutal device but the director's satire is effective. Why do we find violence, a diabolic character, so interesting?
  - I found it repellent... - delboy 02:24:44 10/22/08 (6)
    ... the humour tasteless and the carnage unnecessary (perhaps the whole point). I was amazed to read that the characters were members of the directors family. Imagine selling that role to your granny?
    
    The scene where he induces the heart attack in the old woman when threatening her with a gun just took it too far for me. Gimme It's a Wonderful Life anyday !
    - I'm glad you did! I believe that is the point. The film should have one - tinear 07:45:35 10/22/08 (5)
      asking at what point does an observer become a participant. Does it take active or passive behavior?
      Remember, France was a country wherein many backed the Nazis who commonly did this to innocent people. Germany (of course!), Spain, and Italy also saw this kind of government activity. Isn't it amazing how much more palatable it seems when it has the stamp of authority?
      - It is a Belgian film of course - delboy 09:24:00 10/22/08 (4)
        
        In Reply to: RE: I'm glad you did! I believe that is the point. The film should have one posted by tinear on October 22, 2008 at 07:45:35
        
        ...and the belgian cabinet decamped to London to work with the Allies after Belgium had fallen. But I take your point on participation. I like a challenge in a film, this one however left me troubled and I did not enjoy it. You paint it as a lesson, I found it fairly gratuitous.
        
        Unlike most films since about murder, this one seemed non- - tinear 11:51:11 10/22/08 (3)
        
        In Reply to: RE: It is a Belgian film of course posted by delboy on October 22, 2008 at 09:24:00
        
        gratuitous to me because of its (stated by the director) criticism.
        And thanks for the "Belgian" reminder.
        
        Yeah, felt a wee bit guilty... - delboy 00:49:47 10/23/08 (2)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Unlike most films since about murder, this one seemed non- posted by tinear on October 22, 2008 at 11:51:11
        
        ... putting the belgian thing in. I guess I went in unprepared for this one and it shocked me. I made a reference to Come and See on another thread which has some horrifying scenes based on truth. Being better prepared for that it turned out to be one of the most powerful and affecting films I have seen.
        
        Maybe sometimes not knowing what to expect is a bad thing !
        
        "Come and See" is very powerful. Check out, - tinear 18:46:25 10/23/08 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Yeah, felt a wee bit guilty... posted by delboy on October 23, 2008 at 00:49:47
        
        "Ivan's Childhood."
        I think you'd very much enjoy that one, too.
        Its sense of building dread is almost too much to bear.
        
        will do... - delboy 01:47:27 10/24/08 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: "Come and See" is very powerful. Check out, posted by tinear on October 23, 2008 at 18:46:25
        
        ... thanks

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