Watch Peter Capaldi’s Oscar Winning Movie, ‘Franz Kafka’s It’s a Wonderful Life’

Drew Boynton is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

When a person thinks of Christmas cheer, the stories of Franz Kafka don’t immediately spring to mind.  Kafka, who was born in Prague in 1883, must have found a fan in Peter Capaldi, though, because he made the author the main character of his 1993 short film, Franz Kafka’s It’s A Wonderful Life.  Capaldi wrote and directed the film, and even won an Oscar for his achievement.  The quirky short is now available in its entirety on Youtube–and even though it is noirishly lit (Fritz Lang would be proud) and full of dark humor–the story ends on a note of Christmas-inspired happiness.

The 23-minute film features Richard E. Grant (who voiced the alterna-Ninth Doctor in the web series Scream of the Shalka and was seen in Series 7 as Dr. Simeon/The Great Intelligence) as Kafka, as he struggles to write his most famous story, “The Metamorphosis.”  Bugged by neighbors and friends, he almost comes to the end of his sanity while trying in vain to write the opening lines.  And just when everything seems at its darkest, Christmas saves the day.  Yes, complete with snow, good friends, and singing.  (The only things missing are George Bailey, an angel, and a bell ringing!)

Capaldi’s creation really is worth watching, especially since it’s just the right time of year.  It also can’t help but make a Whovian wonder if Peter Capaldi couldn’t pull off a first for Doctor Who: a lead actor directing an episode.  Franz Kafka’s It’s a Wonderful Life shows that the Twelfth Doctor has a good eye for atmosphere, lighting, emotion, character, and, of course, humor.  And why not a mini-reunion while we’re at it, with Richard E. Grant making a return appearance as the embodiment of The Great Intelligence… in a Christmas special that ends with snow and singing?

So, Kasterborites, if you haven’t seen Franz Kafka’s It’s a Wonderful Life, click play above to watch it right now.

So, do you think that Peter Capaldi could pull off double-duty on an episode (perhaps a Doctor-lite one?) and make it a classic, or did his short film just bug you to death? 

 

 

The post Watch Peter Capaldi’s Oscar Winning Movie, ‘Franz Kafka’s It’s a Wonderful Life’ appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.