Do you believe in magic? Or how about an old fashioned conspiracy? Sleight-of-hand magician and illusionist Shawn Farquhar believes in both. A two-time world champion who was once solely a stage performer, he has since positioned many of his greatest feats using a simple deck of cards. He never thought much about what was on them beyond the obvious, until one day, it was pointed out that one of the faces on the King cards faced an entirely different way than the others. And on top of that, this King’s wardrobe is adorned with symbols that seem to suggest something obscure.

Farquhar’s curiosity leads him to do some deeper research, learning more about the history of cards. His investigation spurs a created theory about the death of King Charles VIII. The most wild thing? Farquhar will use this as the foundation for a new magic act. Only in magic.

Lost in the Shuffle is equal parts opinionated historical thesis and a sort-of-behind-the-curtain look at the ins and outs of card magic. Director Jon Ornoy uses a fairly standard documentary setup, with the point-of-view coming entirely through the wide-open eyes of his subject. Farquhar’s child-like zeal for uncovering the mystery and using it as fuel for his latest act can sell even the most reticent of viewers. A conscientious level of detail pertaining to Farquhar’s makes it not too farfetched—and Ornoy employs strategic stylistic choices when delving back into the history of playing cards and the High Middle Ages to bring his material to life. True history nuts and buffs may find these parts more engrossing than others (at times it can run slightly dry).

Where Lost in the Shuffle stood out to me the most was in its subjects beyond Farquhar. As he hops from locale to locale piecing together this mystery, he simultaneously picks up new pieces of card tricks from old friends and renowned peers. It is during these points in the documentary where the craft, psychology, and sheer commitment to the illusory field is examined deeply. As importantly, through Farquhar’s vantage point and Ornoy’s lens, we see himself and other magicians not only as communal stewards, but extremely happy and energized in being so. These are craftspeople who are most interested in keeping the legacy of magic alive and well by display, not concealment.

On further review, Lost in the Shuffle really feels like a documentary about the twofold power of community. From the angle of peers giving inspirations and pro-tips with one another to the magicians themselves opening more people to hidden wonders and telling old stories through new techniques, it’s a simple theme that sometimes all one needs is curiosity to find similarities with each other, and of course, there’s magic in that.

B

Photo credits are courtesy of Obscured Pictures.