Films Boutique has announced a new collaboration with director Agnieszka Holland on her upcoming biopic 'Franz,' based on the life of renowned author Franz Kafka. Currently in pre-production, the film is set to begin principal photography in April in the Czech Republic and Germany, coinciding with the centenary of Kafka's death. The project has already secured distribution deals with Bac Films Distribution, X Verleih, Bioskop, and Kino Swiat.
'Franz' will feature Idan Weiss, a newcomer, in the lead role of Kafka. Joining him is Jenovefa Bokova as Milena Jesenska, Kafka's friend and translator, and Maria Schrader as his mother. The rest of the cast includes Peter Kurth, Ivan Trojan, Josef Trojan, Katharina Stark, Sebastian Schwarz, and Gesa Schermuly. The film will be lensed by renowned cinematographer Tomasz Naumiuk.
CEO of Films Boutique, Jean-Christophe Simon, expressed excitement about continuing their collaboration with Agnieszka and the entire team after the success of their previous project, 'Green Border.' Simon believes that 'Franz' will be one of the most exciting European films to come, with a strong international appeal.
Agnieszka Holland, who recently won an award for 'Green Border' at the Venice Film Festival, is known for her ability to tackle real-life icons in her work. 'Franz' is written by Marek Epstein and Holland herself and will be a 'kaleidoscopic mosaic' of Kafka's life. It will explore his journey from his birth in 19th century Prague to his death in Berlin after World War I.
According to Holland, Kafka was a man ahead of his time, with great sensitivity and an inability to fit in. She believes that people today have a better chance of understanding him and sees Kafka as being a representative of the third millennium. In an effort to understand him, the film aims to piece together fragments from Kafka's past and creations, creating a comprehensive view of his imagination.
Known for his surrealist and nightmarish visions, Kafka's works such as 'The Metamorphosis,' 'The Trial,' and 'The Castle' continue to captivate readers to this day. With the film 'Franz,' Holland and her team aim to honor Kafka's legacy and shed light on the enigmatic writer's life and mind.
'Franz' is produced by Sarka Cimbalova for Marlene Film Production and co-produced by Czech Anglo Production, X Filme Creative Pool, Metro Films, Bac Films, Czech Television, Barrandov Studio, and Certikon, in association with Films Boutique. The executive producers are Mike Downey and Daniel Bergmann, both Chairman and members of the European Film Academy.
Despite some controversy surrounding her previous film, Holland's 'Green Border' has achieved both critical acclaim and box office success. Grossing $3.5 million in Poland alone and receiving an Audience Award at the IFFR, the film is set for wider distribution with its upcoming release in France.
Mike Downey, Chairman of the European Film Academy, highlights the global value and appeal of the Kafka brand. He notes that Kafka's name has entered common parlance, and people pay for 'the Kafka experience.' Kafka's enduring popularity demonstrates his status as a literary rockstar.
As Holland herself admits, there is much yet to unravel about Kafka. With numerous biographies and analyses, his growing importance and enigmatic personality continue to intrigue scholars and fans alike. 'Franz' seeks to piece together this puzzle by searching for Kafka in shards, riddles, feelings, and a blend of facts, assumptions, and imagination found in his dreams, literature, and letters.
Holland aims to explore Kafka's fierce struggles with his father, the world, and the expectations of his loved ones, as well as his longing for love and an ordinary life. She believes that the film's sensual dimension is essential to capture the essence of Kafka. Despite his bleak predictions for the world, Holland insists that Kafka himself possessed brightness and humor that might not be immediately apparent.
With 'Franz,' Agnieszka Holland and her team aim to create a cinematic tribute to one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. By diving into Kafka's life and imagination, the film promises to shed new light on the man behind the surreal and haunting stories that continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.
