Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life is a 1993 British short comedy film written and directed by Peter Capaldi. It stars Richard E. Grant as Franz Kafka and co-stars Ken Stott. The title refers to the name of the writer Franz Kafka and the 1946 film It's a Wonderful Life, directed by Frank Capra, and the plot takes the concept of the two to absurd depths.
The film features a rendition of "Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life" from the 1910 operetta Naughty Marietta.
In 1994, the short won the BAFTA Award for Best Short Film. The following year it won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film, tying with Trevor.
Synopsis The great writer Franz Kafka is about to write his famous 1915 work, The Metamorphosis, but inspiration is lacking, and he suffers continual interruptions.
Cast Richard E. Grant – Franz Kafka Crispin Letts – Gregor Samsa Ken Stott – Woland the Knifeman Elaine Collins – Miss Cicely Phyllis Logan – Frau Bunofsky Julie Cox – Party Girl Jessie Doyle – Party Girl Samantha Howarth – Party Girl Justine Luxton – Party Girl Laura Reiss – Party Girl Thea Tait – Party Girl Lucy Woodhouse – Party Girl
Accolades Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result 1993 BAFTA Scotland Award Best Short Film Peter Capaldi Atlantic Film Festival Award Best Live Action Film Peter Capaldi Best Short Film Peter Capaldi Best Set Design John Beard 1994 Angers European First Film Festival Audience Award Short Film Peter Capaldi BAFTA Film Award Best Short Film Peter Capaldi, Ruth Kenley-Letts Celtic Media Festival Award Best New Director Peter Capaldi Vevey International Funny Film Festival Award Prix Schwartz Best Short Film Peter Capaldi 1995 Academy Award Live Action Short Film Peter Capaldi, Ruth Kenley-Letts
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References
External links
Full record for Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life at the National Library of Scotland