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Fading Magic: The Story of Kolkata's Magicians

India

Amit Sahai Producer Director

  • Added 8 years ago to SNEAK PREVIEWS

    A multiple International Award winning documentary film on the present plight of once famous stage magicians of Kolkata, which was the cultural hub of India and incubation pool for all forms of fine arts including Stage magic.

    In the '60s and ‘70s the art of magic moved from the domain of street performers to large scale theaters as the city grew to become a global centre for performing magicians.

    The city has perhaps the richest history of magic in the country.

    However, with changing times the demand for this once beloved art form is floundering.

    A number of these once legendary artists are now facing financial and personal crisis.

    Audiences no longer want to spend money to watch magic in the very city which groomed it.

    Some magicians do not have the funds to take care of their ailing heath while some have passed away leaving behind families in debt and extreme hardship.

    The documentary film enters the lives of some such legendary stage magicians and looks at the gritty and real face of their present condition.

    The glamour has gone and the arc lights have faded for many of these artists who have dedicated their lives to honing their skills and amazing their audiences.

    Today, times are difficult for these magicians and it seems that the future is bleak.