For twenty-six years, Jean-Luc Muller has kept his images warm. His documentary film, retracing the creation of the House of Magic, had until now never been revealed to the public.
Jean-Luc Muller unveiled his film on the House of Magic, in front of nearly 150 spectators.
© (Photo NR)
We had to wait until Saturday November 9, 2024 to discover it in situ. Nearly 150 spectators delved into these archives. From epic work to moments of doubt, including a chaotic launch and disagreements between the project initiators and managers… nothing was forgotten.
The first version of the film lasted 4 hours
Originally, it was Christian Fechner, one of the founding fathers of the House of Magic, who asked Jean-Luc Muller to come and film during the first year of opening of the structure and the exhibition on Robert-Houdin. “The first version of the film was four hours long. It was almost impossible to look at, you could see every room in detail. It was very repetitiverecognizes the director. To make the documentary more digestible, I forced Christian Fechner to grant me an interview. Then he fell ill, before passing away in 2008. The documentary was no longer a priority. »
It was then that Georges Proust, another kingpin of the House of Magic in Blois, accepted the idea of resuming production of the documentary. “Thanks to him, I was able to make a 2h30 version that I thought was definitive. In 2018, for the 20th anniversary of the House, there was talk of screening the film, but it did not happen. »
But as better late than never, the screening of this new work, in two parts of 55 and 50 minutes, was finally able to take place. “I am happy to show this film to a concerned public and at the same time sad that certain witnesses of the time, who have since disappeared, have not seen it. »
Even before the inauguration of the place on June 12, 1998, the documentary looks back at the genesis of the project. And more precisely on its location, suggested by Georges Proust, creator of the House of Magic in Paris. Opposite the Château de Blois, an imposing bourgeois house was for sale. The place was perfect. The City, led by Jack Lang, was able to acquire it in 1991. We then see two years later Christian Fechner publicly present the project, detailing each piece using a model and the idea of the automaton dragons emerging from the facade, “a response to the salamander adorning the castle”.
Then comes the time for archaeological excavations and structural work. To illustrate this period, the director Jean-Luc Muller, also president of the National Conservatory of the Arts of Magic and Illusion (CNAMI, whose headquarters is located at the Maison de la Magique in Blois), used images city archives.
Georges Proust, one of the kingpins of the Blésoise House of Magic, had not returned to this place for ten years.
© (Photo NR)
Other difficulties arose when Parc Astérix was given the delegation of management of the Maison de lamagique Blésoise. “The delegatee wanted to turn it into an amusement park. The cultural side did not interest him. We had to fight”explains Georges Proust in the film. In the end, there was no more budget for exhibitions. “We became patrons by adding thousands of francs”recalled Christian Fechner. In 2001, Parc Astérix ceased management, leaving the City to take over.
“Moments of doubt until the opening”
Seeing these images again, Georges Proust, now 79 years old and who had not returned to the House of Magic for ten years, was overcome by emotion: “It’s a host of memories that resurface. There were moments of doubt until the opening. But we held on because we were so passionate. »
With 115,000 visitors welcomed since the start of 2024, the House of Magic has not finished growing, as director Arnaud Dalaine confided: “We will do everything to ensure that it continues. »
