The Magic Box (La boîte magique) 21 years old

The Magic Box

Over forty and in a bit of a midlife crisis, Tunisian film director Raouf is prone to excessive drinking when not engaged in an argument with his French-born wife Lou (Marianne Basler). One respite to Raouf's dreary life is a recent film assignment -- to shoot an autobiographical film about his childhood. While working on the script, Raouf recalls his childhood home life under the strictures instituted by his devoutly religious father. The polar opposite of Raouf's father was his uncle Mansour, a jolly, life-loving soul who introduced Raouf to cinema through his work as a wandering film projectionist, which angered and shocked his father to no end but proved to be the most pivotal development in the youngster's life. Through cinema, Raouf found his place in this world and came-of-age -- something he may have to revisit in his adult life if he wishes to salvage his marriage.

Credits

The Magic Box Cast

Name Character
Marianne Basler She was 38, now 60 years old as Lou
Hichem Rostom He was 55, now 76 years old as Mansour
Abdellatif Kechiche He was 42, now 63 years old as Raouf as Adult
Myrna Maakaron as Daughter
Medhi Rebii as Raouf as Child
Lotfi Bouchnak He was 50, now 72 years old as Father

The Magic Box Crew

Name Department
Ridha Behi as Director. He was 55 (now 76) years old Directing
Malik Bencheghib as Producer. Production
Philippe Bednarek as Producer. Production
Hassine Soufi as Executive Producer. Production
The Magic Box poster
The Magic Box (21 years)

  • Release day: Monday, January 13, 2003
  • Runtime: 88 minutes