By The Same Director - Taika Waititi

There are a number of directors who have been gathering attention due to that whole winning of Oscars that happens around this time of year. With that in mind, you might be thinking, “Hmm, I enjoyed that film but what else has this person done?” (You might not be thinking that but let’s pretend that you are otherwise you’re undermining the whole premise of this post.) Well, it just so happens that I’ve been known to watch the occasional film so let’s put that watching to good use and give you a bit of a rundown on other films you could be watching by “that person who directed that recent film what I liked.”

Today’s subject is Taika Waititi, recent winner of Best Adapted Screenplay for the film Jojo Rabbit. You can read what I thought about that film over here but here’s a brief rundown of some of his other works.

Boy (2010)
A comedy drama about the dysfunctional relationship between the titular Boy (James Rolleston) and his recently released from prison father Alamein (played by Waititi). It showcases a couple of things that are trademark Waititi - the ability to cast strong young actors (I have a general aversion to cutesy child actors and Waititi seems to manage to sidestep this every time) and a good balance between silly, endearing comedy and more emotional, dramatic elements. Plus it’s hard not to enjoy a film with a Thriller/haka dance sequence.

What We Do In The Shadows (2014)
One of my absolute favourite comedy films and a blending of the sweetness of a Waititi comedy with the deadpan mockumentary style of Flight Of The Conchords - only natural given that this one is a collaboration between Waititi and Jermaine Clement Of Conchords fame (and features a great couple of cameos from fellow Conchord Rhys Darby as polite werewolf). It’s got a strong cast overall (who have clearly been encouraged to improvise as much as follow the script) and isn’t afraid to go for the occasional full on cheesy gag (see the “dark bidding” gag). It’s also lead to to spin-off series - the naturally titled US series What We Do In The Shadows with Kayvan Noval, Natasha Demetriou and Matt Berry in the lead roles and the New Zealand show Wellington Paranormal following the adventures of the two clueless cops from the film.

Hunt For The Wilderpeople (2016)
Wilderpeople sees Waititi moving back into similar territory to Boy in this effort which follows a troubled child (Julian Dennison) in foster care who inadvertently ends up on the run with his reluctant and grieving foster parent (Sam Neill). Again, he manages to balance humour and emotion well and coaxes a genuinely funny performance out of Dennison (who would later go on to feature in Deadpool 2).

Thor Ragnarok (2017)
I also think that this is my favourite Marvel film and the only one that I’ve watched multiple times. It’s a complete departure from the previous Thor films and definitely has Waititi’s humour stamped all over it. It’s one that I’d even recommend to non-Marvel fans looking for a silly fun sci fi film that channels the energy (and to some extent the aesthetic) of the 1980s Flash Gordon film. 

So there you go. A couple of hints for those of you looking for something with the same energy and fell as Jojo Rabbit. Get watching...