Magic at Work

The film shows the significance of magic, ritual and superstition in as diverse, yet surprisingly similar, occupations as the Norwegian fisherman and the American professional baseballer.

Fishermen, as sportsmen, rely on science, technology, rational thinking and skill to achieve success. Still, fishing can be risky and uncertain activity, and sportsmen need a good day to succeed. Luck seems therefore to be an important aspect of their life, even for very professional actors. Fishermen supplement science and technology with magical practices in order to avoid bad luck. The sportsmen turn to magical thinking in a hope of improving their luck. The three films look into the magical thinking of these professions and challenges thereby our own superstitious ideas.