Magonia (2001) User Reviews

beautiful stories with a beautiful background

[rudebuzztard · 8/10 · 26 February 2005]

I found it strange to see that the only comment on this (dutch) movie is from someone from Sweden :P. So I thought it would be nice to add some thoughts about this myself.

I liked this movie very much because of the different scenes of the stories. The movie basically consists out of 3 stories which are set in Arabia, Africa and Holland. I loved the first and last story, the second story didn't seem to have a lot of dramatic tension in it, or any tension at all.

The first story is about choosing between loyalty and the one you love, and was very tragic, it made me cry. It took place in a small Islamic village somewhere in the middle east and has a very beautiful atmosphere and was even a bit funny from time to time.

The second story was stupid I think, I cannot think of any message in it or something. Except maybe that it sucks to live alone in the African desert...

The third story is really dramatic and is about a woman doomed to live in misery because she rejects the love of a man close to her and instead waits for a mysterious sailor she met 7 years ago and once said he would take her with him..

Unfortunately there are some more downsides to the movie except the poor second story. They mixed actors from Belgium and Holland and that irritates me sometimes. The little boy in the story is dutch, his father has a Belgian accent. I think it was very stupid of the director to do, because it doesn't make their relationship credible. But that's just a little thing, 8/10

Good to watch.

[AshokePrabha · 8/10 · 13 October 2008]

Recently watched this movie on world movies channel. It's a collection of three stories told by a father who is recovering in a mental health center, to his son who comes and visits him every week.

The first story was a simple one that gripped me into the movie. An announcer in an Islamic mosque is getting older and older and still he continues to shout the announcement of prayer time despite his hoarse voice. A young lad assists him on all his chores (including carrying the old man to the roof top for announcement). He and the old man's daughter are in love. Though nobody likes the old man's voice which turned horrible at old age, still they respect him and let him continue it. One day that young man went to the town and brought a sound system mike, speakers with an amplifier. Things happen after this emotional toils makes it a beautiful story.

The second story is about loneliness. It is not exactly a story, but an event that transformed all those who lived at that moment. It reads "It does not matter whether you travel everywhere or live alone on a hills top, loneliness can turn you mad".

The third story is about true love and false hopes. A woman with her son living in a small shore town hoping for her lover, a sailor who promised her that he will come back for her. All these years she lives a low life as kitchen maid in a small pub. Being abused by the pub owner constantly, she was also loved by a neighbor craftsman who asks her to get away with him to somewhere out of town. One day the sailor returns..and what happens then..

All the stories talks about human lives made into different styles of knots and the dream land Magonia. The ending is unexpected.

I followed the film through subtitles only. They are done very well. Since, I do not know the ethnic differences between different lands of people I could not know the ethnic difference between the faces. But that's OK. Actors, Photography and Music played perfectly.

You want compelling stories ? Watch this.

A film with a difference

[pranjan21 · 7/10 · 20 July 2009]

I watched magonia last week and found it one of the best dutch movie i have seen.really impressed with its wonderful background music. its story line up,its cinematography and above all the chosen multicultural locations.the first story ends with victory of loyalty over love.however rather than saying victory i should say sacrifice for loyalty over love.the second story ends with sacrifice of responsibility over love & freedom.and lastly the story ends with victory of hope over disappointment.all the three story despite of having no connection seems to be connected with a universal emotions for love & affection.A must watch for everyone who likes a film with a difference which can really strike their mind.

A wonderful saga beautifully told

[jubilation · 9/10 · 13 December 2002]

I have always liked stories. The old classical fairytales by H C Andersen and the brothers Grimm. This is as close as you can get in this time and age. Three beautiful stories woven together by the ongoing background story.

This is a movie well worth seeing and if you get the chance and come across this wonderful saga, see it!