Simon, the Magician
The French police are unable to solve a mysterious murder. Someone comes up with the idea of asking a famous magician from Budapest for assistance in solving the mystery. Simon the Magician arrives virtually overnight, persuaded by the offer of high payment for his services. Awaiting him in the French capital are reporters, police and citizens eager for a miracle. Simon's anxious interpreter tries to provide him with the best-possible working conditions. After all, this is a murder case with no evidence whatsoever. Inspired by the figure of the ancient Gnostic Simon Magus, Enyedi inserts this character in late-20th-century Europe. The Parisian crime scene serves only as a starting point for telling a unique love story in which the most important aspects are the lovers' intuition and patience. Simon fights for this impossible love and at the same time duels with his greatest adversary. The point is about overcoming death.
awards
Locarno IFF 1999 - FICC Special Prize
Ildikó Enyedi
Born in Budapest in 1955, Ildikó Enyedi is a film director and screenwriter. She made her film debut in 1989 with My Twentieth Century (starring Dorothy Segda), which brought her a Caméra d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Her 1999 film Simon the Magician premiered in the main competition at the Festival in Locarno. As a lecturer, she has been participating in the Ekran+ program, co-created by the Wajda School, for many years. On Body and Soul is her first feature film in 18 years.
Selected filmography
1989 Mój wiek XX / Az én XX. századom / My Twentieth Century
1994 Magiczne kule / Büvös vadász / Magic Hunter
1999 Szymon Mag / Simon mágus / Simon, the Magician
2017 Dusza i ciało / Testről és lélekről / On Body and Soul