Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life

Description

Stumbling over how to complete the first sentence of what was to be his masterpiece "Metamorphosis," Kafka writes: ...Gregor Samsa woke up one morning and found he had been transformed into a giant..." A giant what? A banana perhaps? A powerful sustained joke on both the perceived image of Franz Kafka and the powerful sentiment of Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life." Also includes "Seven Gates" - Brothers David and Daryl travel home to their family farm for Christmas; "The Deal" - A clandestine meeting between the world's two most powerful businessmen who negotiate a deal so immense, so awe-inspiring, so "BIG." The meeting progresses from the enlightening to the bizarre; "Mr. McAllister's Cigarette Holder" - In 1961 Georgia, Mr. McAllister lives alone. His reality leaves little room for pride, except for a unique cigarette holder he has. On a trip to town with his albino girlfriend, a sacrificial gift saves his pride and allows him to retain his dignity.

Customer Reviews:

Kafka - the way you've never seen him before!.......2003-09-15

As most people will surmise, the very title of this DVD is a sardonic inside-joke. The term "wonderful life" goes along with Kafka about as well as tropical vacations in Antartica. When I first saw the title I knew I would not be able to resist buying this DVD - even if only out of curiousity.

The DVD is four short-stories set to film; only the 1st one relates to Kafka. In the title story there is an attempt to comically discern the nature of Kafka's inspiration for his famous short story, THE METAMORPHOSIS. It's kind of like what they did with Shakespeare in SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, only this time it's in a twisted Kafkaesque sort of way.

Of the rest of the production, stories 2 and 4 are so-so. Story 3, however, called THE DEAL, is absolutely hilarious. It pokes fun at 2 pompous CEOs who get together and make asinine decisions while untold thousands of jobs hang in the balance. Anyone who has followed the scandals of ENRON, WORLDCOM, etc. will find this a refreshing satire.

I would recommend this DVD for all fans of Franz Kafka as well as people who like "different" sorts of short-stories. Be forewarned, however, it's not altogether done in good taste. If that does not bother you, then by all means put this one on your wish-list!

a note on absurdity.......2003-07-30

Kafka is well known for the achievement of absurdity in his work. It must be remembered, however, that Kafka's absurdity was not absurdity for its own sake, and though often comical, was nightmarish and profound. The absurdity seen here, though clever and very funny, isn't what Kafka was about. That doesn't at all discredit this short film, but it is important to make a distinction.

in defense.......2002-02-20

I have to speak in defense of "Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life." Yes, the idea of mixing Kafka and Capre is entirely absurd, but isn't that what makes it so incredibly Kafka? Kafka always used absurdity to depict the modern world, and I think he would have appreciated the short immensely for that (though the end was a bit shakey, but I guess that's what we have to give to Capre.) I loved this short, as well as the others on the DVD.

DVD:

DVD

DVD