As of: March 20, 2024 8:36 a.m
Who was Franz Kafka? This is now shown in a mini-series from ARD and ORF, which will be shown on March 26th and 27th on Erste. As of today, the six episodes are already available from different perspectives ARD media library.
Who was Kafka? An outstanding writer, a pioneer of literary modernity, that’s what the canon says. But what about Franz Kafka as a person? How did the creator of some of the most iconic texts of the 20th century speak, feel, love? Supported by expert advisor Reiner Stach, bestselling author Daniel Kehlmann and his friend and director David Schalko have designed an ambitious six-part series that deals with Kafka’s three great loves and the difficult relationship with his tyrannical father and his close friendship with Max Brod betrayed his last will and thus secured him world fame.
“With pure, reduced, straightforward language, Franz Kafka created ambiguous parables that were dark, funny and oppressive at the same time. No other German-speaking writer of the 20th century has received so much attention worldwide, and no one else is associated with his name and the term ‘Kafkaesque’ numerous other languages as a synonym for conditions that are perceived as absurd, enigmatic and mysterious,” says Christian Granderath, head of the NDR Film, Family & Series department.
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Cast with a great ensemble and Joel Basman as Franz Kafka
The Swiss actor Joel Basman portrays Franz Kafka.
David Schalko has put together a great ensemble for the series “Kafka”: with Liv Lisa Fries, Lia von Blarer, Tamara Romero Ginés, David Kross and Nicholas Ofczarek as lovers, friends and family members who support the enigmatic genius Kafka in love, friendship and fear are connected. There are also guest appearances by actors such as Charly Hübner, Lars Eidinger, Robert Palfrader, Katharina Thalbach and many more. At the center, however, is Franz Kafka, played by Joel Basman, who has completely transformed the character of Kafka.
Joint project of all ARD state broadcasters and ORF
The fictional series about Franz Kafka is a joint effort by all ARD state broadcasters in association with ORF. According to ARD coordinator Jörg Schönenborn, it is a “series that is as modern as it is multi-layered for viewers.” Daniel Kehlmann and director David Schalko have worked together to create a Franz Kafka that clearly and succinctly paints a picture of a person who is special in many respects.
Joel Bas Mangel manages to give flesh and blood to the nimbus of Kafka without explaining it in every detail. He remains ambiguous and strange, with his – historically proven – cackle laugh, his funny answers to everyday questions, his spartan diet. A clairvoyant and at the same time surprisingly unempathetic observer of his surroundings.
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Salman Rushdie on the series: “Best dramatization of the life of the great Kafka”
In the series, viewers experience Franz Kafka through the eyes of his companions and companions. Above all, Max Brod, played by David Kross, the author and friend since his student days, who not only supported Franz Kafka, but also saved his work from the destruction Kafka himself requested.
Nicholas Ofczarek is no less accurate as Kafka’s all-determining father, and Kafka’s women, embodied by Lia von Blarer, Liv Lisa Fries and Tamara Romera Ginés. Robert Stadlober, Christian Friedel and Tobias Bamborschke complete the ensemble as literary friends. So on the big anniversary of Franz Kafka, “Kafka” will be a celebration of ambitious storytelling that will hopefully captivate literature enthusiasts as well as fans of modern series television.
This is the best dramatization of the great Kafka’s life that one can imagine. A perfect cast, amazingly acted. And Kafka’s works are woven into his life with extraordinary skill. The series pays great homage to one of the true giants of 20th century literature.
Salman Rushdie on the series “Kafka”
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