Magic Lantern (2018)

The most beautiful nostalgic serenade for the loss of "real cinema." A requim for Hollywood's past.

Director:

Amir Naderi

Writer:

Amir Naderi

Stars:

Thelonius Serrell-Freed, Sophie Lane Curtis, Jacqueline Bisset

Cast

Credited cast:
Thelonius Serrell-Freed	...	Mitch (as Monk Serrell Freed)
Sophie Lane Curtis	...	Gretchen
Jacqueline Bisset	...	Mary
Robert Beltran	...	Ed
James Jagger	...	Steve
Brandon Sklenar	...	Austin
Ella Edwards	...	Waitress
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jeannie Elise Mai	...	Space Girl
Angelique Maurnae	...	Artist
Brenna Otts	...	Street Vendor

Storyline

Mitch is a 22 year-old projectionist who is loading the last film for the final screening at a small theatre that is about to be converted into a digital cineplex. He dreads loading this last film reel into the projector because he knows it will drag him into yet another desperate search for love now lost. He gazes through the small projection window, onto the flickering light of the screen and then somehow farther, into another world; a world that is his and his alone. He sees another version of himself on the screen, where he works at a small, fading thrift shop. He leads a lonely existence, with only his curmudgeonly boss and the store's mannequins for company. This monotonous life is broken by the arrival of a beautiful, otherworldly young girl in search of the perfect hat. She and Mitch share a brief and inexpressible moment of connection, interrupted by a phone call that drags her away. When Mitch tries to follow her, she has vanished. All that remains is her cell phone on the ...

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Plot Keywords:

loss | 

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Genres:

Drama

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User Reviews

Stunning piece of visual poetry

Amir Naderi's MAGIC LANTERN is a beautiful examination of obsession, love, and loss. It is an ode to the days of Old Hollywood, an ode to classic movie romances. It is a love letter to cinema. With beautiful imagery by Alex Salahi and fabulous performances from newcomer Monk Serrell-Freed, and rising star Sophie Lane Curtis, as well as film icons Jacqueline Bisset and Robert Beltran, MAGIC LANTERN takes the viewer on a journey through a dreamy Los Angeles never seen before, quite this way, on screen. The film has a lot of heart and it shows. Highly recommend.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2018 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Runner Films, Scion Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Color:

Color