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Instead of Abracadabra (2008)

Istället för abrakadabra (original title)
| Short, Action, Comedy | 12 March 2010 (Mexico)
Instead of Abracadabra Poster
A man who still lives with his parents tries to realize his dream of becoming a magician.

Director:

Patrik Eklund

Writer:

Patrik Eklund (screenplay)

Stars:

Simon J. Berger, Jacob Nordenson, Anki Larsson | See full cast & crew »
Reviews
Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Credited cast:
Simon J. Berger ... Thomas
Jacob Nordenson Jacob Nordenson ... Bengt
Anki Larsson ... Gunilla
Saga Gärde Saga Gärde ... Monika
Göran Forsmark ... Stunt-Roger
Daniel Rudstedt Daniel Rudstedt ... The Photographer
Johan Lundström Johan Lundström ... Jonas
Jakob Arevärn Jakob Arevärn ... Gangster 1
Benny Boström Benny Boström ... Gangster 2
Helena Hansson Helena Hansson ... Makeup Artist
Patrik Eklund ... Director
Hans Andersson Hans Andersson ... Doctor 1
Ebba Forstenberg Ebba Forstenberg ... Ill Sister
Kjell Olsson Kjell Olsson ... Doctor 2
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ruth Filipp Ruth Filipp ... Shocked Woman
See full cast »
Edit

Storyline

Thomas is 25, jobless, living with his parents - trying to be a magician. He's smitten by Monika, a new neighbor who's a doctor at the hospital where they take his mom when one of his tricks goes awry. She seems out of his league, but she invites him to perform at a child's party. He begs his skeptical father to let him perform at dad's 60th birthday. Monika is in the audience. Breaking a promise to his father, Thomas attempts the trick that nearly killed his mother: swords through a box inside of which is a volunteer. With family, friends, and Monika watching, will it go well, will he make a good impression, or is too much beyond his control? Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

magician | party | 60th birthday | new neighbor | hospital | See All (29) »

Genres:

Short | Action | Comedy | Drama

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
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Details

Country:

Sweden

Language:

Swedish

Release Date:

12 March 2010 (Mexico) See more »

Also Known As:

Entä abrakadabra? See more »
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Box Office

Budget:

SEK750,000 (estimated)
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filmpool Nord See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Connections

Edited into The Oscar Nominated Short Films 2010: Live Action (2010) See more »

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User Reviews

 
Very Funny Lovable Loser Comedy
24 April 2009 | by frimp13 – See all my reviews

"Instead of Abracadabra" is a very funny short film about a lovable loser who lives with his parents but fancies himself a great magician of "gothic mystery and mayhem" and has developed a catch phrase of "Chimay!" as an alternative to abracadabra. His parents want him to get a real job but he wants to impress the single mom next door by performing first at her child's birthday party, and then at his father's 60th birthday get-together. The first trick we see him do goes horribly awry and much of the film is spent grimacing in anticipation of similarly catastrophic outcomes from his dangerous and elaborate magic tricks. This film has some Napoleon Dynamite-type elements of humor, some big laughs, and a couple good twists toward the end.
17 of 18 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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