Agnieszka Holland discusses portraying Franz Kafka in 'Franz' and addressing neurodivergence questions - Contenders International

Agnieszka Hollands latest film, Franz, had its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in September and has since been showcased at multiple international festivals. The film has been selected as Polands official submission for the International Feature Film category at the Oscars.

The biopic explores the life of the legendary writer Franz Kafka, born in Prague in 1883 to a German-speaking Czech Jewish family, tracing his journey from adolescence to his premature death at 40. Holland delves into the personal and creative world of Kafka, aiming to illuminate the complexities of his life and imagination.

Holland first encountered Kafkas work as a teenager when she read his posthumously published novel The Trial. I was around 14 or 15. It was such a revelation that I decided to explore all of his writings and everything about him. Kafka has stayed with me throughout my life, Holland explained, reflecting on her lifelong connection to the author. She later directed a television adaptation of The Trial, further deepening her engagement with Kafkas literary legacy.

The film stars Idan Weiss as Kafka, portraying a young man navigating a suffocating bureaucratic world while escaping into realms of irony, absurdity, and imagination that would shape his iconic works. Holland described casting Weiss as a moment of serendipity: In filmmaking, luck is essential. He was suggested to me by the late Simone Barr, the renowned German casting director, and I immediately knew he was the one.

Some critics have speculated about whether Hollands portrayal hints at Kafka being neurodivergent. Holland addressed this cautiously: I didnt intend to diagnose Kafka, but certain aspects of his behavior and difficulties in connecting with society do suggest he experienced the world in a unique way.

Author: Zoe Harrison