Chloë Sevigny & Alex Wolff’s Bizarre Argentina Adventure in ‘Magic Farm’

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When life hands you lemons, grab a tequila with a twist might be how that saying goes. However, let me tell you about MUBI’s latest offering, Magic Farm, which delves into the realm of eccentric cinema. This film revolves around a troubled TV crew attempting to make the best out of their work situation after they find themselves in the wrong country. The talented Argentinean writer-director Amalia Ulman, known for her remarkable debut, El Planeta, is at it again. She crafts an offbeat movie set in her beautiful South American backdrop, with a touch of satire as clueless Americans believe they can create television “magic” abroad.

Under the guidance of the venerable Chloë Sevigny, the offbeat show Magic Farm might not appeal to everyone, but Ulman demonstrates potential and resists conventional storytelling structures. Brace yourself for dry wit and intentional dead ends that fuel speculation about her intelligence, perhaps hinting at a cleverness that outmatches our skepticism.

From New York With Angst

In Ulman’s film, the strained dynamics among the TV crew members are consistently notable. Early on during their business trip, producer Jeff (portrayed comically by Alex Wolff) expresses his frustration, “Why do I keep getting treated this way for no reason?” However, it might be because of a mistake you made earlier, Jeff! Jeff and Edna (played by Sevigny), who is the head of the production company, are responsible for creating an episode of their TV docuseries focusing on a local musician in the region.

Upon reaching Argentina, let’s see if their plan unfolds smoothly. In their quest to find a popular local musician for an on-screen report, they unintentionally get misled due to language difficulties, ending up in the wrong region of South America instead. These mishaps add humor and are useful when Ulman’s narrative becomes less focused or loses speed at certain junctures.

In a different city called the Big Apple, the movie initially presents Dave (played humorously by Simon Rex), who is Edna’s business partner. Edna is the crew’s on-air personality, talking to subjects on the street while the rest of the team works with scripts and equipment behind the camera. After going to Argentina with them, Dave had to return to America, which was disappointing since Rex’s character seemed to have potential for a more significant role in the film. However, he left! It’s always enjoyable to see Rex in movies, particularly after Sean Baker, an Academy Award winner, featured him in his independent masterpiece, “Red Rocket.” Oh well.

In Edna’s crew, Jeff, Elena (played by Ulman herself), and Justin (Joe Apollonio) keep things interesting amidst Dave’s absence, with their conversations adding vibrancy to the simple, sunlit Argentinian landscapes. Justin, who is quite flirtatious, pursues the hotel’s plump receptionist, Guillermo Jacubowicz. Meanwhile, Jeff, who has his own share of sexual tension, gets close to local dancer Manchi, played exceptionally by Camila del Campo. Sevigny and Rex, like Edna, seem to take a backseat, while an engaging subplot about a health crisis impacting the Argentinians unfolds in the background.

Bask in the Absurdity of ‘Magic Farm’

In this film review, as a movie-goer, I found myself anticipating a shift in focus from the petty dramas of the American characters to addressing the pressing health crisis at hand within their new community. However, Director Ulman chose to maintain an absurd tone throughout, occasionally pushing it too far. Consequently, the storyline for the TV crew seems to have returned to its original state from Act 1, albeit with some minor differences.

In some films, skilled storytellers, such as the late Stanley Kubrick (for instance, in movies like “A Clockwork Orange” and “Eyes Wide Shut”), have adopted circular narratives. Similarly, there’s an argument for this approach in Ulman’s work. However, with a reputable brand like MUBI supporting “Magic Farm”, audiences might expect a more profound ending rather than finding themselves immersed in seemingly meaningless peculiarities. Perhaps Ulman is attempting to push boundaries and offer viewers a chance to appreciate these idiosyncrasies, potentially competing with films labeled as “quirky” classics like “Napoleon Dynamite”.

Amalia Ulman Remains a Director to Watch

When Magic Farm embraces a bold perspective, it truly excels. Keep an eye out for its inventive point-of-view camera techniques; fans of Breaking Bad might remember a memorable episode where the camera was attached to Jesse’s shovel during the digging sequence. Moreover, director Ulman has a knack for captivating audiences with his extravagant opening credit designs.

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2025-04-21 10:02