Credited cast: | |||
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Jon Armstrong | ... | Self |
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Brian Gillis | ... | Self |
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David Minkin | ... | Self |
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Jan Rouven | ... | Self |
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Frank Alfter | ... | Self |
Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Charina Dorothy | ... | Self (as Charina Layne) |
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Charlie Mount | ... | Self |
Chloé Rosenthal | ... | Self |
"MAGICIANS follows four world-class magicians on stage and off, exploring how and why these characters so passionately dedicate their lives to the craft of illusion. Their journey takes us from the most humbling of road gigs to grand performances on the biggest of stages, from finding love to terrible personal loss; and to the prospect of losing everything for a dream others don't understand. As we come to understand why each is obsessively chasing his own dream, we'll discover the unhidden secret: far more fascinating than the magic are the magicians themselves."
The ostensible topics of this film -- card tricks, slight of hand, and other magic -- are treated with skilled cinematography, slowly weaving us through the world of magic as experienced by both the audience and the magicians. But the true magic of the film is found in the subtle yet profound layers it unfolds (with no narrative, simply good documentary art) of the people behind the magic, and the many different paths they take in their love of the craft.
As someone who was not especially interested in magic before I watched the film, I recommend the film for opening my eyes to this fascinating world. But even for people convinced that magic will never intrigue them, the documentary is worth watching for its masterful treatment of visuals and people.