Agnieszka Holland on Bringing Kafka Back to Life With ‘Playful’ Biopic ‘Franz’: ‘I Don’t Like the Cliché of Kafka Being Dark, Moody and Depressed’ (EXCLUSIVE)
VarietyFriday, July 11, 2025 at 11:41:12 AM
Agnieszka Holland, the acclaimed director behind Oscar-nominated films like Europa Europa, is shaking up the usual grim portrayal of Franz Kafka with her new biopic Franz. She’s calling it "playful" and pushing back against the cliché of Kafka as a brooding, tortured soul. The film’s post-production is wrapped, and while Holland’s keeping the festival debut under wraps for now, she dropped some intriguing hints in an exclusive chat with Variety.
Editor’s Note: Kafka’s legacy is often tied to existential dread, but Holland’s fresh take could redefine how we see him—not just as a gloomy writer, but as someone with wit and lightness too. For film buffs and book lovers, this could be a rare chance to see Kafka in a whole new light. Plus, Holland’s track record means it’s worth keeping an eye on.
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