Black Magic for White Boys is an American dark comedy film directed and written by Onur Tukel. The protagonist of the film is an ageing magician named Omar, whose theatre is about to be shut down due to gentrification. In a moment of desperation, he decides to resort to black magic to save his theatre and, subsequently, the soul of old New York.
Omar's plan involves invoking a powerful demon by using a cursed book, which he acquires from a shady occult bookstore. However, the arrogant and abrasive magician soon realizes that he cannot control the demon, and its powers start affecting his surroundings and those close to him. Meanwhile, a young African American woman named Leah becomes drawn into Omar's world, intrigued by his magical abilities.
The film deals with themes of gentrification, race, and the struggle for bodily autonomy in a rapidly changing city. As the story unfolds, the narrative oscillates between dark comedy, satire, and elements of horror. The film's quirky characters and irreverent humor provide a unique perspective on the gentrification of New York City and the consequences it has on its inhabitants.
Black Magic for White Boys premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2017 as a four-episode series, which has now been completely reworked into a full-length film with over 50 minutes of new footage. The film stars Ronald Guttman, Onur Tukel, and Imani Henry, and features music by the composer Fritz Myers.
