The Amazing Jonathan Documentary
The Amazing Johnathan was a popular magician with the privilege of having entertained two Presidents of the United States of America and millions of viewers. Before retiring for good, due to his seriously declining health, he starts his farewell tour and instructs a young documentary maker to record it all. But the director will find himself an unwilling participant in a surreal game between reality and deception, which may well be the ultimate trick played by the sardonic magician. Then again maybe not …
USA | 2019 | COLOR | DCP | 91΄| ENGLISH
Amazing Johnathan is a magician and stand-up comedian that has performed for two Presidents and has also had bookings in Las Vegas for more consecutive years than any other artist. But five years ago, the doctors told him, that he had one year left to live due to a rare heart condition. In 2018, exhausted though still alive and restless, he decided to go on a (last?) tour. That would be its documentary. Yet the director found out that four more crews would film for different producers! A clearly post modern documentary about death and the anxiety of creativity.
A film playing at maximum volume its wild modernism, poses questions about truth and lies, comes face to face with its… ‘employer’ and ends up harmoniously through ethical hardships, Gonzo journalism, the bonfire of vanity and the eternally unanswered questions. I.D.
DIRECTOR: Ben Berman
DoP: Dan Adlerstein, Ben Berman
MUSIC: Zack Wright
EDITOR: Scott Evans
BENJAMIN BERMAN
Director, producer, photographer and editor, who after many TV works and short films makes his debut in feature documentaries with ‘Amazing Johnathan’. Nominated for the Jury Award at Sundance
FILMOGRAPHY
2019 The Amazing Johnathan Documentary
