The Elders of a city tell the populace that there’s a disease raging outside and they must shut the borders for decades – meanwhile supposedly infected citizens disappear. No not a COVID-19 conspiracy theory, but fantasy film Magical Adventures in the Forbidden City, starring Eddie Marsan, and Tinatin Dalakishvili as Abigail, a young woman searching for her father.
Look I know I love my movie puns but sometimes you want an explanatory film title and this is the Ronseal of trailers as it does exactly what it says on the tin.
Here’s the full synopsis:
In another world, not unlike our own, a young woman named Abigail lives in a city whose borders were closed many years ago because of a mysterious disease. Her beloved academic father was one of the sick and, like many, mysteriously taken away when she was six years old. Now grown, Abigail is determined to find her father and discover the real secrets lurking beneath the surface of her world.
When she unexpectedly encounters citizens playing with spells, she discovers her city is filled with forbidden sorcery, and she herself possesses extraordinary magical powers. Abigail takes us on an exciting magical adventure, rising against the forces in command, and shows how being brave and following your heart can show anything is possible, if you just believe it.
This is a Russian production (released last year) and was previously titled Abigail. It’s directed by Aleksandr Boguslavskiy.
Magical Adventures in the Forbidden City is out on digital platforms on 21 September.