This article needs to be updated. (September 2025) |
Franz is a 2025 biographical drama film directed by Agnieszka Holland and written by Marek Epstein.[1] Starring Idan Weiss as Franz Kafka, it follows the author's life from his early teens in his hometown of Prague to his premature death in 1924.[2]
| Franz | |
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 Czech theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Agnieszka Holland |
| Written by | Marek Epstein |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Tomasz Naumiuk |
| Edited by | Pavel Hrdlicka |
| Music by | Mary Komasa, Antoni Łazarkiewicz |
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| Languages | Czech German |
The film had its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival on 5 September.[3] It was selected as Poland's submission for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.[4]
Plot
editPrague at the beginning of the 20th century: Franz Kafka (Idan Weiss) is torn between the strict expectations of his father Hermann (Peter Kurth), his monotonous daily routine at an insurance company, and his deep-rooted urge to write and thus give literary expression to his innermost feelings. His texts finally receive initial attention, while he continues to try to lead a life between conforming to others, such as his dominant father, and self-realisation. Time and again, Franz experiences intense relationships with women who enchant him to the utmost, inevitably facing the tensions between closeness and withdrawal. Supported by his friend and publisher Max Brod (Sebastian Schwarz), the picture emerges of a man searching for his place in the world – between a sense of duty, inner turmoil and creative expression.
Cast
edit- Idan Weiss as Franz Kafka
- Daniel Dongres as Young Franz
- Peter Kurth as Hermann Kafka
- Jenovéfa Boková as Milena Jesenská
- Ivan Trojan as Siegfried Löwy, Kafka's uncle
- Sandra Korzeniak as Julie Kafka
- Carol Schuler as Felice Bauer
- Sebastian Schwarz as Max Brod
- Katarina Stark as Ottla Kafka
- Anna Císařovská as Valli Kafka
- Josef Trojan as Yitzchak Lowy
- Aaron Friesz as Oskar Baum
- Jan Budař as officer
- Stanislav Majer as Adolf Just, sanatorium director
- Emma Smetana as tour guide
- Karel Dobrý as Pfohl
- Gesa Schermuly as Grete Bloch
Production
editRelease
editFranz competed for the Golden Shell in the official selection of the 73rd San Sebastián International Film Festival.[6]
Reception
editIn a review for Deadline, critic Damon Wise calls the film a "playful and oddly endearing biopic of the enigmatic Czech author."[7]
Jared Marcel Pollen writes that the film tries "to present an unassuming, de-mythologized portrait of Kafka...."[8]
Accolades
edit| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camerimage | 22 November 2025 | Golden Frog | Tomasz Naumiuk | Nominated | [9][10] |
| San Sebastián International Film Festival | 27 September 2025 | Golden Shell for Best Film | Franz | Nominated | [11] |
| Czech Lion Awards | 14 March 2026 | Best Film | Franz | Nominated | [12] |
| Best Director | Agnieszka Holland | Nominated | |||
| Best Actor in Leading Role | Idan Weiss | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actor | Peter Kurth | Nominated | |||
| Josef Trojan | Nominated | ||||
| Ivan Trojan | Nominated | ||||
| Best Supporting Actress | Jenovéfa Boková | Nominated | |||
| Best Screenplay | Marek Epstein, Agnieszka Holland | Nominated | |||
| Best Cinematography | Tomasz Naumiuk | Nominated | |||
| Best Music | Maria Komasa-Łazarkiewicz, Antoni Komasa-Łazarkiewicz | Nominated | |||
| Best Editing | Pavel Hrdlička | Nominated | |||
| Best Sound | Marek Hart, Michaela Patríková, Tomáš Bělohradský | Nominated | |||
| Best Stage Design | Henrich Boráros | Won | |||
| Best Makeup and Hairstyling | Gabriela Poláková | Won | |||
| Best Costume Design | Michaela Horáčková Hořejší | Won | |||
The film received the Grand Prix and the Youth Jury Award of the Tarnów Film Award (2026).[13]
References
edit- ↑ Balaga, Marta. "Films Boutique Reunites With Agnieszka Holland on Kafka Biopic 'Franz,' Closes First Sales (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- 1 2 Kudláč, Martin (20 December 2023). "Agnieszka Holland braces to shoot Kafka biopic Franz". Cineuropa. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ↑ Gray, Carmen (5 September 2025). "'Nothing Is Final With Kafka': Agnieszka Holland on 'Franz' and Rehumanising a Legend". The Film Verdict.
- ↑ Barraclough, Leo (15 September 2025). "Oscars: Poland Selects Agnieszka Holland's 'Franz' for International Feature Race (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
- ↑ Barraclough, Leo. "Films Boutique Reveals First Sales, First Look Image for Agnieszka Holland's Franz Kafka Biopic 'Franz' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ↑ Rafa Sales Ross (29 July 2025). "New Films by Arnaud Desplechin, Agnieszka Holland, Alice Winocour's Angelina Jolie-Led 'Couture' and More Added to San Sebastián Competition". Variety. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
- ↑ Wise, Damon (25 September 2025). "'Franz' Review: Agnieszka Holland's Playful Biopic Investigates The Enigma Of One Of The 20th Century's Most Influential Writers – San Sebastian". Deadline. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
- ↑ Pollen, Jared Marcel. "Kafka Inc." Liberties, December 2025.
- ↑ "AwardsWatch - 33rd Camerimage Lineup: 'Hamnet,' F1,' 'Sinners,' 'Sound of Falling' and More". AwardsWatch. 29 October 2025. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
- ↑ "EnergaCAMERIMAGE 2025 Awards". camerimage.pl. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
- ↑ González, David (1 September 2025). "San Sebastián completes its selection". Cineuropa. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
- ↑ Zbořil, Jonáš (14 March 2025). "Donutil i Geislerová bez Lva. Ceny ovládla nastupující generace". Seznam Zprávy (in Czech). Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ↑ ""Franz Kafka" zwycięzcą 40. Tarnowskiej Nagrody Filmowej". filmpolski.pl. 30 May 2026. Archived from the original on 3 June 2026. Retrieved 3 June 2026.