Suppose I told you watching the film, A Cursed Man, is an easy, affordable way to go on a fascinating, frightening, enlightening journey around the world where you’ll meet some of the world’s most revered practitioners of “dark magic.” It’s an opportunity to learn more about people who have worshipped and celebrated the supernatural world for hundreds if not thousands of years – a unique journey into why anything to do with the “paranormal” has had such a strong grip on the human imagination. If your understanding of the world and us humans is mostly science-based, this talk about “black magic”, shamans, witches, spooky rituals with fire, and weird potions probably sounds crazy. But take my word for it – this is a journey like no other and you can order it up on Amazon Prime.
The film, “A Cursed Man” revolves around the quest of Liam Le Guillou to learn more about why us humans are so attracted to “dark magic” and why so many people believe in the “supernatural phenomena” he’s been studying and filming for over 20 years. The film starts with Liam trying to explain to his wife that even after 20 years, he’s frustrated that he still doesn’t understand why us humans have such a strong belief in the spirit world. He’s come to the conclusion that if he can find someone to put a “curse” on him he might better understand the secrets and appeal of dark magic and the supernatural world.
So off Liam goes with his wife’s blessing. Wisely, she opts to stay at home and take care of their cats. His first stop is Los Angeles – a city well known in the U.S. as the best place to be a “witch.” He visits a temple and tells Carrie, the witch mother, and her colleague Griffin, that he’s on a quest to better understand the power and forces of “dark magic” and he’s hoping they can help him find someone who can put a “curse” on him. Carrie and Griffin look shocked and then start laughing at this strange request. Carrie and Griffin urge Liam not to get the the curse – too dangerous they said.
But Liam is on a mission to find someone who can put the curse on him. After LA, his next stop is New Orleans – a city that’s a hub of black magic and voodoo. We get to meet a real voodoo priest – Sen Elias – a Hoodoo practitioner with a big smile and raucous sense of humor. Elias seemed taken a back when Liam confesses he’s looking for someone who can put a curse on him. Ehe looks shocked and strongly advises Liam to forget this idea about getting a curse – that the chances of things going wrong are big. “Don’t open that negative door,” Elia says. “You can have violent dreams – those negative spirits can take over.”
Not to be deterred, after New Orleans Liam decides to travel to Assam – the epicenter of Black Magic in India with its numerous “mystical tantric practitioners.” With no luck finding anyone to put a curse on him in Assam, Liam heads off to Catemaco in the Mexican state of Veracruz. Known as the “Land of the Witches” due to its long-standing tradition of witchcraft and the blending pre-Hispanic beliefs with Catholicism, the town has become a bustling center for witchcraft tourism.
Liam finally finds someone to give him the “curse” – a bizarre ritual that seems to help him feel more connected to the spirit world. But his dreams get worse and he decides he needs to get the curse lifted which is another fascinating part of this unusual story.
At first I couldn’t understand why I was so taken with this film. Then it hit me – it’s because it’s “REAL.” Real people, real places, real struggles. If you’re sick of Marvel comic remakes masquerading as films, this movie is a breath of fresh air. I don’t think there was any CGI or A.I. The trust Liam and the film crew developed with the “dark magic” folks was impressive. But in the end we are left with the notion that the secrets of magic are still beyond our understanding but our big human brains keep trying to figure it all out.