Storyline
In the form of an animated docu-drama, the biography of Adam Jacek Winker wonders through nearly half a century of history. A Polish refugee in Paris, Adam lived a boundless life, wanting to change the world.
His adventurous life takes a radical turn in the 80s, as he visions himself a knight of the 20th century and leaves France to fight with both amateurism and courage, alongside commander Massoud against the Soviets in Afghanistan.
In the light of September 11th, 2001, his fate mirrors the individual’s destiny in relation with the history unfolding and also the introspection of a man on his own fate.
Festivals & Awards
THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN had the World premiere in Annecy 2015, and the international premiere in Karlovy Vary IFF in the main Competition where it received a Special Mention of the Jury.
It was already selected in more than 40 festivals like San Sebastian, Busan, Ottawa (where it received a Special Mention), Vancouver, Helsinki, Leipzig (ARD PRIZE), CPH DOX, Gijon (Animafix Prize), Amiens (Best Movie Prize), Budapest Anilogue (Special Prize of the Jury), Florence- Festival dei Popoli, Washington DC AFI EU Film Showcase, Ljubljana Animateka, Goteborg and won 7 international prizes till now.
Project Details
- Genre: Fiction Film
- Status: Completed, In post production
- Cast for Adam Jacek Winkler: Christophe Miossec (French version), Jean-Marc Barr (English version), Jerzy Radziwiłowicz (Polish version)
- Cast for Anna Winkler: Lizzie Brochère (English and French version), Julia Kijowska (Polish version)
- Director: Anca Damian
- Script: Anca Damian & Anna Winkler
- Animation: Theodore Ushev, Sergiu Negulici, Raluca Popa, Dan Panaitescu and Tomek Ducki
- Music: Alexander Balanescu
- Sound design: Frédéric Théry and Sebastian Wlodarczyk
- Producers: Anca Damian, Guillaume de Seille, Bénédicte Thomas, Joanna Ronikier and Włodzimierz Matuszewski
- Production: Aparte Film, Filmograf and Arizona Productions with the support of the Romanian National Centre for Cinema, Polish Film Institute and World cinéma support fund (French National Centre for Cinema, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the French Institute)
- Coproduction: Studio Miniatur Filmowych Studio Video Art Krakow festival Office Telewizja Polska
- Co-financed by: Regional Film Fund Krakow City of Krakow, Malopolska region Krakow Film Comission
- With the participation of: HBO Romania
Storyline
In the form of an animated docu-drama, the biography of Adam Jacek Winker wonders through nearly half a century of history. A Polish refugee in Paris, Adam lived a boundless life, wanting to change the world.
His adventurous life takes a radical turn in the 80s, as he visions himself a knight of the 20th century and leaves France to fight with both amateurism and courage, alongside commander Massoud against the Soviets in Afghanistan.
In the light of September 11th, 2001, his fate mirrors the individual’s destiny in relation with the history unfolding and also the introspection of a man on his own fate.
Festivals & Awards
THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN had the World premiere in Annecy 2015, and the international premiere in Karlovy Vary IFF in the main Competition where it received a Special Mention of the Jury.
It was already selected in more than 40 festivals like San Sebastian, Busan, Ottawa (where it received a Special Mention), Vancouver, Helsinki, Leipzig (ARD PRIZE), CPH DOX, Gijon (Animafix Prize), Amiens (Best Movie Prize), Budapest Anilogue (Special Prize of the Jury), Florence- Festival dei Popoli, Washington DC AFI EU Film Showcase, Ljubljana Animateka, Goteborg and won 7 international prizes till now.
Project Details
- Genre: Fiction Film
- Status: Completed, In post production
- Cast for Adam Jacek Winkler: Christophe Miossec (French version), Jean-Marc Barr (English version), Jerzy Radziwiłowicz (Polish version)
- Cast for Anna Winkler: Lizzie Brochère (English and French version), Julia Kijowska (Polish version)
- Director: Anca Damian
- Script: Anca Damian & Anna Winkler
- Animation: Theodore Ushev, Sergiu Negulici, Raluca Popa, Dan Panaitescu and Tomek Ducki
- Music: Alexander Balanescu
- Sound design: Frédéric Théry and Sebastian Wlodarczyk
- Producers: Anca Damian, Guillaume de Seille, Bénédicte Thomas, Joanna Ronikier and Włodzimierz Matuszewski
- Production: Aparte Film, Filmograf and Arizona Productions with the support of the Romanian National Centre for Cinema, Polish Film Institute and World cinéma support fund (French National Centre for Cinema, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the French Institute)
- Coproduction: Studio Miniatur Filmowych Studio Video Art Krakow festival Office Telewizja Polska
- Co-financed by: Regional Film Fund Krakow City of Krakow, Malopolska region Krakow Film Comission
- With the participation of: HBO Romania
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November 2015
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Related News
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"The Magic Mountain" continues to get prizes: Best Long Feature in Sofia Animation Films Festivals, Best Movie [...]
The Magic Mountain
The Magic Mountain wins the Grand Prix des Festivals in Cervicino (Italy) in and Special Mention of the Jury in [...]
GRAND PRIX DES FESTIVALS CONSEIL DE LA VALLÉ pour LA MONTAGNE MAGIQUE
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We found this film to be a challenging, artistic blend of diverse animation styles that so perfectly, and [...]
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The first edition of the Audentia Award for best female director created by the Council of Europe's Eurimages Fund [...]
ANIMAC – Spain and FICAM Meknes- Morocco
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The Magic Mountain continue to travel the world in festivals: ANIMA - Brussels, FICUMAM - Mexico, Monstra-Portugal [...]
Nomination
Anca Damian has been nominated for The Council of Europe's Eurimages Fund Audentia Award for Best Female Director [...]
Gopo Prize
Alexander Balanescu receives the Gopo Prize for the Best Music, for The Magic Mountain.
January 2016
The Magic Mountain continue to travel the world in festivals inGoteborg IFF, Hong Kong IFF, Tempo doc, Calgary, [...]
December 2015
The Magic Mountain had the premiere in the French cinemas. [...]
November 2015
The Magic Mountain receives MDR Prize in Leipzig, for outstanding East-European film, the prize Animafix in Gijon, [...]
October 2015
The Magic Mountain travels the world in festivals: Fantoche - Animation festival Gdynia: official Selection Animest: [...]
September 2015
The Magic Mountain receives the Special mention of the Jury in Ottawa, and is selected in San Sebastian International [...]
July 2015
The Magic Mountain has the International Premiere in Karlovy Vary International Competition, where it receives the [...]
June 2015
The Magic Mountain has the World premiere in Annecy International Animation festival as a Special Event.
Related Press
”Animation makes visible the things that are invisible when you are only looking at their appearance”, says Anca Damian.
Source: taff.fi
Publish Date: August 26, 2020
Author: Taff
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Publish Date: July 27, 2020
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„Animation makes visible the things that are invisible when you are only looking at their appearance”, says Anca Damian.
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La puissance et l’émotion qui se dégagent de ce récit sont magnifiées par l’emballement esthétique et un traitement artistique sans pareil aujourd’hui dans le paysage cinématographique.
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Una presentación visual rica e innegablemente artesanal.
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Source: www.madaboutfilm.si
Publish Date: January, 2016
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"Throughout the movie Wikner's narrative voice is teaching his daughter the rules of survival, but in fact he is teaching her the rules of a meaningful life, which for him may also be a meaningful death."
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Author: Antoine de Baecque
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Source: https://www.lemagducine.fr/
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Publish Date: 22 décembre 2015
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Source:Variety
Publish Date: 19 July 2015
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“The Magic Mountain” is a work of overwhelming artistry.
“The Magic Mountain is a work of overwhelming artistry”
Source: variety.com
Publish Date: July 19, 2015
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Source: hollywoodreporter.com
Publish Date: July 16, 2015
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Source: variety.com
Publish Date: July 9, 2015
Author: Will Tizard
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Source: cineuropa.org
Publish Date: June 7, 2015
Author: Stefan Dobroiu
„The film is a captivating exploration of an amazing destiny: Adam Jacek Winkler, a Polish artist and anti-communist who will find himself fighting against the Soviet invaders in 1980s Afghanistan.”
Related Press
”Animation makes visible the things that are invisible when you are only looking at their appearance”, says Anca Damian.
Source: taff.fi
Publish Date: August 26, 2020
Author: Taff
In Magic Mountain the director combines and mixes different techniques and styles such as animated photographs and watercolors.
The Filmmaker Anca Damian is Searching for the Truth with Animation
Source: taff.fi
Publish Date: July 27, 2020
Author: Turku Animated Film Festival
„Animation makes visible the things that are invisible when you are only looking at their appearance”, says Anca Damian.
La Montagne magique
Source: https://www.telerama.fr/
Author: Cécile Mury
Etrange, insolite et ambitieux film d'aventures...
LA MONTAGNE MAGIQUE
Source: Cinéma Utopia Montpellier
La Montagne magique est un vrai, un pur, un authentique bijou de cinéma.
LA MONTAGNE MAGIQUE
Source:http://www.lepasseurcritique.com
La puissance et l’émotion qui se dégagent de ce récit sont magnifiées par l’emballement esthétique et un traitement artistique sans pareil aujourd’hui dans le paysage cinématographique.
The Magic Mountain – Rezistenta unui artist, intr-o animatie pentru cei pasionati de pictura
Source: http://postmodern.ro
Publish Date: 27 mai 2016
Author: Adriana Gionea
Muntele magic, dincolo de a fi semnul unei identităţi cinematografice, ar putea fi începutul unui nou tip de realism în redarea lumii interioare, a intimităţii introspective.
La Montaña Mágica
Source: Los del sótano
Publish Date: 11 marzo 2016
Author: Albert Martínez
Una presentación visual rica e innegablemente artesanal.
On The Magic Mountain at ANIMATEKA 2015
Source: www.madaboutfilm.si
Publish Date: January, 2016
Author: Paraskevi Karageorgu
"Throughout the movie Wikner's narrative voice is teaching his daughter the rules of survival, but in fact he is teaching her the rules of a meaningful life, which for him may also be a meaningful death."
L’ultime combat
Source: L’Histoire
Publish Date: janvier 2016
Author: Antoine de Baecque
La Montagne magique est un chef-d'oeuvre de cette relecture de l'histoire, ici enroulée autour du récit intime d'un destin individuel méconnu, faisant feu d'images animées les plus inattendues et les plus visionnaires.
Festival Animateka: The Magic Mountain Animateka, Festivali, Film & Jaz
Source: https://madaboutfilm.si
Publish Date: 2 January 2016
Author: Recenzije Paraskevi Karageorgu
The Magic Mountain is an animated epic, which compels not only with the explosion of animation creativity, but with the deep sense of humanity, that cannot be without giving a meaning to life.
Cinéma. Adam Jacek Winkler, vie magique
Source: COURRIER INTERNATIONAL - PARIS
Publish Date: 28 décembre 2015
Author: Iulia Badea-Guéritée
Le film d’Anca Damian a le mérite d’utiliser nombreux artefacts – dessins et peintures naïves – créés par cet ennemi déclaré du bolchevisme.
La Montagne magique, un film d’Anca Damian: Critique François Bonini, 20 décembre 2015
Source: https://www.lemagducine.fr/
Publish Date: 23 décembre 2015
Author: Constance Mendez-Harscouët
La Montagne magique est un film singulier qui flirte avec les genres canoniques et démontre la caducité d’une partition du cinéma en fiction, documentaire et animation.
La Montagne magique
Source: http://www.petit-bulletin.fr
Publish Date: 22 décembre 2015
Author: Vincent Raymond
Une œuvre d’animation hybride, à la fois abstraite (ou, à tout le moins, non strictement figurative) et poétique.
[CRITIQUE] « LA MONTAGNE MAGIQUE » : UN DOCUMENTAIRE D’ANIMATION HÉROÏQUE D’ANCA DAMIAN
Source: http://toutelaculture.com
Publish Date: 22 décembre 2015
Author: Yaël Hirsch
Une histoire d’héroïsme en dessins et en archives, qui bluffe par sa forme et son engagement.
« La Montagne magique » : dessine-moi un montagnard
Source: Le Monde
Publish Date: 22 décembre 2015
Author: Noémie Luciani
L’avis du « Monde » – à ne pas manquer
LA MONTAGNE MAGIQUE – LA CRITIQUE DU FILM
Source: https://www.avoir-alire.com
Publish Date: 20 décembre 2015
Author: François Bonini
Anca Damian propose une méditation quasi métaphysique en même temps qu’une réflexion sur le cinéma d’animation et donc sur le cinéma tout court : elle dépasse le cadre traditionnel, cherchant les limites d’un genre en épuisant quelques-unes de ses possibilités.
The Magic Mountain – Anca Damian
Source: https://culture.pl
Publish Date: December 2015
Author: Bartosz Staszczyszyn | Translated by: N. Mętrak-Ruda
The Magic Mountain is a display of impressive artistic versatility.
Licorne d’Or meilleur film du festival d’Amiens 2015
Source: Mediapart
Publish Date: 23 NOV. 2015
Author: CÉDRIC LÉPINE
La Montagne magique fait partie de ces chefs-d’oeuvre qui ont aussi pour point commun d’apporter une réflexion politique engagée et citoyenne sur l’histoire.
Film Review: ‘The Magic Mountain’
Source:Variety
Publish Date: 19 July 2015
Author: Alissa Simon
“The Magic Mountain” is a work of overwhelming artistry.
“The Magic Mountain is a work of overwhelming artistry”
Source: variety.com
Publish Date: July 19, 2015
Author: Alissa Simon
„The second of Romanian animator Anca Damian’s 'tales of heroism' offers a relentless tide of imagery and narration.”
‘The Magic Mountain’: „An endless variety of styles further obscures an unfocused story.”
Source: hollywoodreporter.com
Publish Date: July 16, 2015
Author: Boyd van Hoeij
„Anca Damian's mixed-media animated feature recounts the harrowing life of Adam Jacek Winkler, a Paris-based Pole who ended up fighting the Soviets alongside the mujahideen in Afghanistan.”
The Magic Mountain
Source: Eye For Film
Publish Date: 10 July 2015
Author: Richard Mowe
Her mix of animation, collage, and actual footage from the various periods covered suits her subject to perfection.
‘Magic Mountain’ Director Anca Damian on Anticommunist Dissident, Mountain Climber Adam Jacek Winkler
Source:Variety
Publish Date: 9 July 2015
Author: Will Tizard
“This is what is extraordinary in animation. You can have a kind of surreality using real elements, mixing them with drawings, and create a world.”
‘Magic Mountain’ Director Anca Damian on Anti-communist Dissident, Mountain Climber Adam Jacek Winkler
Source: variety.com
Publish Date: July 9, 2015
Author: Will Tizard
“This is what is extraordinary in animation,” says the writer/helmer/producer. “You can have a kind of surreality using real elements, mixing them with drawings, and create a world.”
The Magic Mountain: An exploration of an exemplary destiny
Source: cineuropa.org
Publish Date: June 7, 2015
Author: Stefan Dobroiu
„The film is a captivating exploration of an amazing destiny: Adam Jacek Winkler, a Polish artist and anti-communist who will find himself fighting against the Soviet invaders in 1980s Afghanistan.”
