The First Job 1996
In this darkly humorous yet poignant short film from 1996, Belgian director Miel Van Hasselt crafts a biting satire about ambition and self-destruction.
Director: Miel Van Hasselt
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The First Job (1996) about?
The film follows an inept aspiring hitman whose grandiose schemes to prove his criminal prowess spiral into farcical chaos—only for him to become an unintended casualty of his own incompetence. It's a sharp, darkly comedic take on ambition and unintended consequences.
Who directed The First Job?
Miel Van Hasselt directed this 1996 short film, delivering a compact yet impactful drama-comedy that showcases his knack for blending humor with melancholy.
Who stars in The First Job?
Pepijn Lievens takes the lead role, with Ted Simmons co-starring in this quirky tale of misplaced aspirations.
Is The First Job (1996) worth watching?
While short and unrated, *The First Job* offers a clever, thought-provoking twist on the crime-comedy genre. Its tight runtime and bold themes make it a memorable watch for fans of quirky, high-concept storytelling.
How long is The First Job?
The film runs for 10 minutes.
About The First Job (1996) — A tragicomedy of misplaced ambition and self-sabotage
In this darkly humorous yet poignant short film from 1996, Belgian director Miel Van Hasselt crafts a biting satire about ambition and self-destruction. *The First Job* follows Pepijn Lievens as a bumbling would-be hitman whose elaborate plans to prove himself as a criminal mastermind unravel in the most absurd ways—only for him to become the unwitting victim of his own schemes. The 10-minute drama-comedy blends sharp wit with tragicomic undertones, exploring themes of misplaced confidence and the absurdity of failure. Van Hasselt's deft direction and Lievens' deadpan performance create a surreal, fast-paced narrative that lingers long after the credits roll.
Set against a backdrop of understated tension, *The First Job* balances slapstick humor with a melancholic edge, questioning the line between comedy and tragedy. The film's brevity belies its depth, offering a microcosm of human folly where overconfidence meets inevitable collapse. Whether viewed as a cautionary tale or a playful jab at genre conventions, it's a standout entry in the short-film landscape, proving that even in just 10 minutes, a story can be both hilarious and haunting.