The Magician

Film student Massimo Max Totti is making a documentary. The subject is his friend and neighbour Ray Shoesmith - a Melbourne-based hitman with a penchant for the movies and a wry sense of humour.

Max and his camera accompany Ray over a series of days during which Ray goes about his business; warning off an erstwhile mate-turned-junkie, kidnapping a drug dealer and even helping an ethically conflicted Max out with a little problem of his own. As Max and Ray hit the road to carry out a couple of protracted and oddly principled hits, their unique working relationship unfolds, offering a frank perspective on the banal and darkly comic world of underworld crime - as well as some upfront insight into the errant lifestyle of a man who kills for a living.

Too close to the bone to screen as a mock doc and (thankfully) not close enough to be classified as a snuff movie, The Magician is both a dark and funny new riff on a familiar subject and a standalone fly-on-the-wall project. Above all it stands tribute to the enduring efforts and compound talents of independent Melbourne filmmaker Scott Ryan.

In addition, to the SYDNEY and MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALS and THE NEW ZEALAND FILM FESTIVALTHE MAGICIAN was invited to the 2005 EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL.

RELEASE DATE - SEPTEMBER 29

"Chilling and Hilarious. THE MAGICIAN has an intensity and power many conventionally budgeted thrillers miss.
Robustly funny, x-rated dialogue delivered with laid-back confidence and stomach-turning nonchalence also help.
Its a startling debut ..It certainly stands comparison with that other quirky Australian portrait CHOPPER."