Playing at Hot Docs
May 1 8:15 pm at the TIFF Lightbox 1
Toronto, Ontario
Everything that viewers want to know about how the deck of cards came to be, why it’s played in certain social circles and when stage magicians embraced it for their tricks is well covered in the documentary Lost in the Shuffle. Just when I thought it concerned revealing how a few tricks are done, there’s more to this stage prop than meets the eye.
Like Jon Ornoy, who narrates this piece, I was enamoured with the art. Not all of them have that boring patterned back, and some of the early designs are art pieces in itself! They turn out to be very collectable and have a hefty price tag to them. As for why that king, queen, and jack exist on the face, what’s revealed is apparently factual! As for why spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs exist, there’s even a tale behind that too. But why should that matter to a card trick master like him?
That’s because he wants to offer more than your standard parlour tricks in the act he’s developing. His goal is to tell a story with them! When I’ve seen Tim Motley tell a differently, Muggle-born style, narrative using cards during last year’s Fringe Theatre performance in town, I just have to wonder how it’s done? While what he figured out is different from Jon’s approach (interview can be read here), I’m still amazed.
Part of the answer concerns why Charles VIII, King of France got immortalised in this set. That’s never changed throughout its print run. He met his end on April 7, 1498 and while that date is insignificant when written on paper, to pull it out while drawing from a pack of cards is nearly impossible. That’s because the probability of pulling a specific card from that 52-card deck is small, and the fact this documentary addresses the mathematical chances to do so puts this work a step above others.
As much as I would’ve liked this film to explain how it’s done, there are enough YouTube videos that tell all. But they aren’t enough to explain why a lot of stage magicians start with a pack of cards. Shawn Farquhar, Alexandra Duvivier, Juan Tamariz, Richard Turner and Michael Vincent offer their thoughts about why playing with a suit matters. As I’ve witnessed various card tricks in person from local talents, and despite me trying to pull a fast one (yes, I’m the type who will attempt to disorient them), they still manage to amaze.
Anyone who doesn’t know anything about the history of the playing card is in for a treat. Although this work doesn’t consider how the deck evolved into that of the trading card game phenomenon known as Magic the Gathering, that’s a different story altogether. I’m sure it’s hiding somewhere. I just have to search rather than assume it’s lost in the shuffle.
4 Stars out of 5
Lost in the Shuffle Documentary Trailer
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Nice post 🌹🌹