Smart Things

A magical tale about a poor musician who one day stumbled upon a wondrous market stall. An old man there was selling incredible items — a magic mirror, an invisibility cap, a self-setting tablecloth… Among these enchanted objects was a marvelous self-playing flute. The old man gave the poor young musician the flute and the magic mirror, on one condition: they had to be returned in a year. A greedy rich man also took a liking to these magical things and, through deceit and trickery, tried to steal them — even throwing the musician into a dungeon. But what the greedy man didn’t know was that clever, enchanted things only bring happiness to a kind heart — and no wisdom at all to a foolish one.

Directed by Eugene Simonoff, Smart Things leans on a strong ensemble — Dmitri Nazarov, Svetlana Amanova, Galina Skorobogatova — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about family titles of 1983.