Documenting the human spark
Our Productions
General Magic, The Movie
General Magic is the story of one of history’s most brilliant failures—and one of its most quietly profound triumphs. Born from a bold vision inside Apple, the company set out to invent a handheld device that would connect people to everything—long before the world was ready. What followed was a spectacular rise and fall that broke hearts, careers, and expectations. But from the ashes of that failure came the seeds of our digital age: the smartphone, e-commerce, social media, and the very fabric of how we live and connect today. Through rare archival footage and deeply personal interviews, the film reveals not just the cost of dreaming big, but the beauty of it. General Magic is ultimately a story of resilience, where the human spirit endures, reinvents, and inspires—long after the headlines fade.
BEST DOCUMENTARY AWARD | Napa Valley Film Festival 2019
BEST DOCUMENTARY AWARD | Santa Cruz Film Festival 2019
BEST DOCUMENTARY AWARD | Phoenix Film Festival 2019
BEST DOCUMENTARY AWARD | Irvine Film Festival 2019
KODIAK AWARD | Alaska International Film Festival 2019
BEST DOCUMENTARY AWARD | Los Angeles Film Awards 2018
BEST DOCUMENTARY AWARD | Williamsburg Film Festival 2018
BEST DOCUMENTARY AWARD | Mint Film Festival 2018
WORLD PREMIERE | Tribeca Film Festival 2018
Sweet Störy
Sweet Störy is a soulful documentary about rediscovery, resilience, and the quiet power of small places to spark big transformation. Acclaimed baker Meg Ray, founder of San Francisco’s beloved Miette patisseries, leaves her thriving business to take on Café Truten—a rustic, weather-worn bakery on the remote Swedish island of Rödlöga, open only eight weeks a year and serving as a vital lifeline to its tight-knit community. Arriving to find the café in deep winter hibernation, Meg has just one week to clear the dust, melt the ice, restock the shelves, and train a team of local teens before the island’s Midsummer Day celebration. Immersed in a slower rhythm of life and the stunning seclusion of the Baltic Sea, she navigates logistical challenges, cultural quirks, and her own reflections on purpose. The result is a poetic portrait of connection, simplicity, and the human spirit’s ability to find renewal in unexpected places.
BEST PICTURE | Los Angeles Film Awards 2025
BEST DOCUMENTARY | Los Angeles Film Awards 2025
WORLD PREMIERE | Opening Night Film of the Sonoma International Film Festival 2025
About Spellbound Productions
Spellbound Productions II, LLC is an independent production company, committed to telling unforgettable true stories that illuminate the human spirit through innovation, resilience, and transformation. The company’s projects include the acclaimed documentary, General Magic, which chronicles the rise and fall of the most influential tech company you’ve never heard of, and Sweet Störy, a visually rich, character-driven film that follows celebrated baker Meg Ray as she revives a remote café on a tiny Swedish island with a team of local teens. From Silicon Valley to the Stockholm archipelago, Spellbound Productions II brings to life stories that resonate far beyond the screen—stories that remind us of what it means to dream, to build, and to belong.
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Michael Stern
CEO | EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Michael Stern practiced law in Silicon Valley for 35 years with companies such as General Magic, Pixar, Adobe, NeXT, and eBay. His varied background as an English professor, journalist, and Dickens scholar led to the story development of the General Magic documentary. His career is defined by a passion for storytelling and the law. He leads with a vision that merges cinematic narratives with strategic insights.
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Sarah Kerruish
DIRECTOR, PRODUCER, WRITER
Sarah Kerruish, a Peabody Award winner and Emmy nominee, was part of the original documentary crew at General Magic in the 1990s. A great believer in the power of stories to heal and to help bring change in our world, she has directed and written several films which have been distributed worldwide and won many awards, including a Peabody and an Emmy nomination.
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Matt Maude
DIRECTOR, PRODUCER, CINEMATOGRAPHER, WRITER
Matt Maude is a British director, writer, and producer whose work centers on the power of people pursuing bold ideas. He tells stories of founders, makers, and outsiders who challenge convention to create something meaningful. Matt’s work blends cinematic craft with emotional depth—earning recognition at festivals like Tribeca and SXSW and distribution on platforms including Apple TV, HBO, and Hulu.
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Dee Gardetti
PRODUCER
A founding team member of the original General Magic company, Dee transitioned from supporting legendary Macintosh inventor, Bill Atkinson, to managing HR, operations, and culture at one of Silicon Valley’s most storied startups. She played a pivotal role in shaping the film’s emotional core—helping to illuminate the dreams, heartbreaks, and enduring spirit behind the technology that changed the world.
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Tamara Helm
CURATOR, GENERAL MAGIC LEGACY
Tamara Helm began her career in the marketing team at General Magic, where she helped translate the company’s visionary technology into compelling stories during one of Silicon Valley’s most formative eras. Today, she works to curate how the company’s profound impact is remembered, taught, and shared with new generations.