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IMDbPro

Instead of Abracadabra

Original title: Istället för abrakadabra
  • 20082008
  • 22m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
545
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
236,821
58,297
Instead of Abracadabra (2008)
ShortActionComedy
A man who still lives with his parents tries to realize his dream of becoming a magician.A man who still lives with his parents tries to realize his dream of becoming a magician.A man who still lives with his parents tries to realize his dream of becoming a magician.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
545
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
236,821
58,297
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Patrik Eklund
    • Writer
      • Patrik Eklund(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Simon J. Berger
      • Jacob Nordenson
      • Anki Larsson
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Patrik Eklund
    • Writer
      • Patrik Eklund(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Simon J. Berger
      • Jacob Nordenson
      • Anki Larsson
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 5User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 2 wins & 4 nominations total

    Photos

    Add photo

    Top cast

    Edit
    Simon J. Berger
    Simon J. Berger
    • Thomas
    Jacob Nordenson
    • Bengt
    Anki Larsson
    • Gunilla
    Saga Gärde
    • Monika
    Göran Forsmark
    Göran Forsmark
    • Stunt-Roger
    Daniel Rudstedt
    • The Photographer
    Johan Lundström
    • Jonas
    Jakob Arevärn
    • Gangster 1
    Benny Boström
    • Gangster 2
    Helena Hansson
    • Makeup Artist
    Patrik Eklund
    Patrik Eklund
    • Director
    Hans Andersson
    • Doctor 1
    Ebba Forstenberg
    • Ill Sister
    Kjell Olsson
    • Doctor 2
    Ruth Filipp
    • Shocked Woman
    • Director
      • Patrik Eklund
    • Writer
      • Patrik Eklund(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Connections
      Edited into The Oscar Nominated Short Films 2010: Live Action (2010)

    User reviews5

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Not bad...but among the year's best?
    I am going to say something rather radical. Over the last several years, I've gone to the showings of both the animated and live-action short films that were Oscar nominated. For the first time ever, I went to a showing and didn't particularly like any of the films--as was the case with the live-action ones for 2010. I didn't think any of them were bad but i also didn't think any were Oscar-worthy--and most of them were amazingly unpleasant--like the Academy deliberately tried to pick the most unpleasant films they could this year. Perhaps 2008-9 was a poor year for live-action films or perhaps this just shows a bias of the people picking them. However, I can't see the public in general enjoying most of the films or wanting to see them.

    The film is a comedy about a loser who insists on becoming a professional magician when he grows up. However, he is 25 and he never gets paid and doesn't seem particularly competent. To make things worse, he insists on doing very dangerous tricks--and they often seem to backfire.

    "Instead of Abracadabra" is an odd choice for an Oscar nomination. It isn't a bad film at all, but it also seems very slight. Enjoyable but not especially memorable. I also didn't particularly think seeing such a creepy looking guy lying in be masturbating was pleasant or even necessary. It's like puking or peeing--things normal folks won't want to see in films, I can assure you! Overall, funny and clever but not especially deep or memorable.
    helpful•5
    8
    • planktonrules
    • Feb 27, 2010

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 12, 2010 (Mexico)
    • Country of origin
      • Sweden
    • Language
      • Swedish
    • Also known as
      • Istället för abrakadabra
    • Production company
      • Filmpool Nord
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • SEK 750,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      22 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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