World Premiere
General Magic
Spotlight Documentary
| UK, USA | 92 MINUTES | EnglishDocumentary, First Time Filmmaker
In 1990, a new company called General Magic spun out from Apple. It took Silicon Valley by storm as rumors spread of its secret, “next big thing” project. Four years later, the company shipped its first product: a handheld, wireless personal computer—what was essentially a smartphone, even down to the emojis, all the way back in 1994. But the mid-’90s tech landscape wasn’t ready for an innovation so far ahead of its time—after all, the average consumer didn’t even have email and certainly was not prepared for 21st-century, anytime-anywhere communication. The product flopped, and General Magic shuttered.
Now, nearly 25 years later, the full extent of General Magic’s vision and influence comes into focus through Matt Maude and Sarah Kerruish’s exhilarating documentary. Combining a trove of archival footage with interviews with many of the company’s “magicians,” who have gone on to become tech pioneers, influencers, and inventors of everything from the iPhone to eBay, General Magic is a joyful celebration of failure and the importance of dreaming big—even if you’re a decade or two ahead of your time.
—Cara Cusumano
Now, nearly 25 years later, the full extent of General Magic’s vision and influence comes into focus through Matt Maude and Sarah Kerruish’s exhilarating documentary. Combining a trove of archival footage with interviews with many of the company’s “magicians,” who have gone on to become tech pioneers, influencers, and inventors of everything from the iPhone to eBay, General Magic is a joyful celebration of failure and the importance of dreaming big—even if you’re a decade or two ahead of your time.
—Cara Cusumano
Cast & Credits
Directed by
Matt Maude and Sarah Kerruish
Sarah Kerruish is a Peabody Award-winning, Emmy®-nominated documentary director and writer and the CEO of Spellbound Productions. A former magician, Kerruish gained unparalleled access to her subjects, making General Magic an intimately insightful film. Matt Maude is an award-winning director, producer, and writer, who Screen Yorkshire named one of the U.K. film industry’s “Super 8” filmmakers to watch.
Director
Matt Maude, Sarah Kerruish
Producer
Matt Maude, Sarah Kerruish
Screenwriter
Matt Maude, Sarah Kerruish, Jonathan Keys
Cinematographer
Matt Maude, Jay Maude
Editor
Anna Meller, Claire Ferguson
Composer
Benji Merrison
Executive Producer
Michael Stern, Reynold D'Silva, John Giannandrea
Co-Producer
Ceridwen Tallett, Dee Gardetti
Cast
Tony Fadell, Marc Porat, Andy Hertzfeld, Megan Smith, Joanna Hoffman, Kevin Lynch
Contacts
Print Source
US Sales Contact
Press Contact
International Sales Contact
* Rush Tickets available at venue except for
Beacon Theatre
Beacon Theatre
Rush will be offered when advanced tickets for a screening or event are no longer available at venues
other than Beacon Theatre.
The Rush system functions as a standby line that will form at the venue approximately one hour prior to scheduled start time. Admittance is based on availability and will begin roughly 10 minutes prior to program start time. Rush Tickets are the same price as advance tickets and are payable upon entry.
The Rush system functions as a standby line that will form at the venue approximately one hour prior to scheduled start time. Admittance is based on availability and will begin roughly 10 minutes prior to program start time. Rush Tickets are the same price as advance tickets and are payable upon entry.
