Three Thousand Years of Longing’s first trailer is a kaleidoscope of cautionary tales

The key to getting the most out of magical wishes without suffering repercussions isn't being clever or trying to outsmart the ancient djinn that's been trapped in a bottle. It is stalling.

Three Thousand Years of Longing is a novel by A.S. Byatt. The new trailer shows Alithea buying a bottle of djinn at a bazaar while on her way to Istanbul for a conference, and then shopping at a bazaar again while on her way to Istanbul for a conference. Being the expert of myths and legends that she is, Alithea knows that taking the djinn up on his offer of three wishes is a sure way to ruin her life, and so she implores the djinn to tell her about the people he knows.

The trailer for Three Thousand Years of Longing is both striking and sumptuous, both of which are promising signs for the film's ability to make the most of its fairytale conceit.

The movie Three Thousand Years of Longing will be released on August 31st, 2022.