Kill or be Killed (2005)

As part of a last request, a hit man is forced to have dinner with his mark.

A WORD FROM CHRIS

This is my first drama. When you look at my past films there is a common genre amongst all of them, they're either horror, action, comedy or all three. I've never truly done a completely dramatic film that revolves entirely around the dialogue and the acting. There was always some sort of eye candy. Well not this time.

The idea behind this film was to make something so extreme out of something so simple. The premise of course is having a hit man forced to come face to face with his intended target. That's never really a comfortable situation for anyone. How long can you go, sitting and making conversation with someone you know you have to kill. Whether you want to or not, you know you have to. It's got to be awkward.

What really makes things even more uncomfortable is the setting. Not only does this hit man have to face his mark, but he has to mask most of his true feelings to save face because he is in a public restaurant. So instead of cutting to the chase and blowing away the guy from the start, he is forced to sit tight to avoid causing a scene. The last thing any hit man wants is a witness.

Another thing that I really love about this film is the broken language barrier. I'm American. I speak English and bad English. To have the challenge of directing two actors whose characters wouldn't speak English I thought was really cool. As a director, it's a real test of ability to not only get the shot, but get the take as well. And now that I didn't understand what was being said- to me that was a real challenge. Either way, it was a great experience and a lot of fun. I definitely feel I grew from this film.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Kill
• or
• be
• Killed
• drama
• action
• ninja
• blinky
• productions
• chris
• notarile
• heat
• collateral

[fallenteen]

WOW. Absolutely great, man. I've been a fan since I watched some of your DC stuff, but I'll be damned if this wasn't one of the most engaging dramas I've watched. I'm not gonna lie-you've got talent, man. SERIOUS talent, and a great eye for cast and crew.

Keep up the fantastic work, man. Oh, and as good as your horror/comic stuff is, I would love to see more drama. You do it well.

Well, you know I'll be looking forward to Methodic...

[blinky500]

thank you so much.

[StarofDavid]

Wonderful Editing, Good actor chemistry, The cinematography was a little bland but I liked what you did with the close ups and the hand held. The ending was slightly anti-climactic for such a tension holding story. Perhaps next time have a shocking ending...

The guy gets in the car, kisses his women, turns the keys, and a real hit man sits up in the back saet with a 357 magnum and a silenced cult. and the guy who let him go gets kidnapped and butchered but still living an opening for a sequel...

[blinky500]

well thats all nice and gory, but it kinda goes against the "happy" ending i originally wanted.

[chinamanli]

i could actually see this as a full length feature. very good! ending kinda disappointed though. like...everyone lives happily ever after? this was dramatic, yes, but usually the kind of drama that truly sticks out for me would be the ones with a tragic ending. you know what i mean? sorry...im not good at describing crap.

but definately a good short film you got there. btw love all your work!

[blinky500]

i just felt we needed to see a happy ending. its not uncommon. the movie was about people doing the right thing, and since both guys did, there was a happy ending.

[Robizdamanwitdaplan]

Wow, excellent work Chris! One of your best pieces! :)

[jweinrub]

Nice job man!

[jovenalcala]

Were they talking in different languages? Seems the hit man in Japanese and the target in Chinese.

[LightsCameraAaron]

This movie remined me of the movie MICHEAL CLAYTON. (I liked KILL OR BE KILLED better!) It was a lot more interesting. 5 OUT OF 5!!! =-)

[pansegrau123]

good movie

[TreLore]

Damn that was good. Very good. I know you going to make it Big very soon. You should be the guy directing JLA and the other movies

[MGJ198674]

In deed, its very good fellas!

[archydagr8]

that was shit.. he should of died.... with at least 10 bulet hole's in his body

[wnsk]

love the noir effect. excellent casting, as always, 'specially the japanese dude.