Theatrum Magicum

The end of the 18th century, a scenery of the Palace of Łańcut. The camera is wandering around dark chambers, only shapes of phantom figures in rococo costumes can be seen in darkness. On the stage of a miniature doll theatre, there is a performance of an illusionist taking place, where one can recognize three connected figures: Kasandra from Parady, Georges Méliès from his own films and the great 18^th century baron Münchhausen, known from the film by Karel Zeman and illustrations by Gustave Doré. In the following scenes, the illusionist uses magical items: a lantern, a mirror and a box, and his performance seems to have no end. A trick-animation film treating actors like dolls, it uses animation and drawing film. It includes references to the writing of count Potocki and the beginnings of cinema.

written by Marcin Giżycki