The Magician (I) (2005)

The Magician follows charismatic, yet volatile hitman Ray Shoesmith (Ryan) around Melbourne while he is being filmed by a friend and neighbour... See full synopsis »

Director:

Scott Ryan

Writer:

Scott Ryan

Stars:

Scott Ryan, Ben Walker, Massimiliano Andrighetto

3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Scott Ryan	...	Ray Shoesmith
Ben Walker	...	Tony Rickards
Massimiliano Andrighetto	...	Massimo "Max" Totti
Kane Mason	...	Benny
Nathaniel Lindsay	...	Edna
Adam Ryan	...	Garage Victim

Storyline

The Magician follows charismatic, yet volatile hitman Ray Shoesmith (Ryan) around Melbourne while he is being filmed by a friend and neighbour... See full synopsis »

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Taglines:

He makes people disappear. [Australia Tehatrical]

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 November 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

Magik

Filming Locations:

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Blue-Tongue Films, Cherub Pictures, I Will Films Pty. Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

All of the actors are amateurs apart from the filmmaker Max whom we never see on camera.

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Connections

References The Guns of Navarone (1961)

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Soundtracks

"Black Lagoon"
Written and produced by David McCormack and Andrew Lancaster

User Reviews

Surprisingly good. Real good.

I recently saw the world premier of this film at the Sydney Film Festival and I admit I wasn't expecting much. It was dubbed as some kind of Chopper-like film with no budget, no known cast and shot on the streets. I was surprised to find it quite entertaining and a real relief from the mostly poor uninspired films currently being made within the Australian Film Finance system. 'The Magician' has a real edge and it has one element lacking in most of the cinema produced in Australia, a strong, genuinely funny lead in writer/director Scott Ryan. Shot in digital video this is a mocumentary on Ray Shoestring, a Melbournian hit-man, a man that makes people disappear. We following him on his exploits see the reality of this profession. Full of improvised dialog and shot in a raw, realist style, you get an insight into the mind of a flawed killer. The character takes his time on camera, you see him thinking and he becomes disturbingly real. The funniest film I've seen come out of my native country in years. Its interesting to note, according to Scott, it was filmed in ten days on a self raised AU$3000. It is a testimate to the passion of the Australian filmmaker making what he can without the need for 'developement' money and 5 - 8 years of 'writing'. It's the most inpiring self funded work I've seen since Robert Rodriguez filmed 'El Mariachi' for $US6000 in 1991.