Woody Allen inspired by Houdini for latest movie

Nearly half a century after his debut and on the verge of turning 80, Woody Allen has premiered a romantic comedy about an illusionist called upon to unmask as a fake a beautiful woman who claims to be clairvoyant and mystic.

The topic of the film came from the fact that he remains a strict atheist, the director explained in a press conference in Paris during the "Magic in the Moonlight" promotion in Europe.

Allen said that even though he wished there was a magic solution that saved everyone, he did not believe there was a special world after death.

British actor Colin Firth was the lead, he explained, because he wanted "an upper class, intelligent, intellectual British magician" and Colin Firth had "that style and charm".

In the case of co-starring actress Emma Stone, Allen said he was very happy to have her in the movie because he believed she was "a great actress and very beautiful".

For the film, which was shot in southern France, the director was inspired by the famous illusionist Harry Houdini (Budapest, 1874 - Detroit, 1926) and the trend of self-proclaimed mediums who deceived people for money during the 1920s.