Adaptation of a 1991 short story by Terry Bisson, that can be read here. This short won the Grand Prize at the Seattle Science Fiction Museum’s film festival.
edit: There are other adaptations:
- Directed by Jeff Frumess (2010). IMDb
- Directed by Safiyya Lea (2015). IMDb
- Directed by Jason Housecroft (2017) on Amazon Prime. IMDb
- Directed by Thomas Soper (uploaded 2018)
I’m a big fan of this short film. I think it really emphasizes the dialogue of the short story via the work of the actors, including the non-speaking diners.
It’s possible it loses something displaying the aliens as “meat” but I think that’s shored up pretty well by the story itself.
I truly wonder if anyone dislikes this take on the original short story. If so, why?
Truly superb demonstration of the power of a good script and real acting. No crazy props or distractions, just… Excellence.
I truly wonder if anyone dislikes this take on the original short story.
I don’t want to jinx it but it’s on 22 upvoted and no downvotes.
If so, why?
Perhaps it doesn’t meet (sorry) their mental picture when they read the story? There’s definite potential for far more alien narrators observing humanity in all its meaty ways.
I have been sharing this short story for years, before the Internet I got it in a zine. Fantastic. How did I never run across this before.
I’ve been sharing this video around for a looooong time, so it’s heartening to hear that it is still finding new people who are in the target audience but haven’t seen it.
There are other adaptations that I’ll edit into my original post:
- Directed by Jeff Frumess (2010). IMDb
- Directed by Safiyya Lea (2015). IMDb
- Directed by Jason Housecroft (2017) on Amazon Prime. IMDb
- Directed by Thomas Soper (uploaded 2018)
Oh thanks! Gotta check out the other ones.
Great take on the short story. Do you still make sketch comedy?
I didn’t make the video but it’s on the director’s YouTube channel if you want to see what else they’re up to.
edit: ah I see the possible point of confusion - the text right at the top is pulled from the description on the YouTube video.
