EFF: Franz

Franz

Australian & New Zealand Premiere

“[David] Lynch would likely have approved of this experimental take on Kafka’s life, with its dryly humorous flourishes and rich, almost Magrittean color palette.” – Deadline

Fizzing with energy, this kaleidoscopic biopic of the great surrealist writer Franz Kafka is directed by Oscar-nominated Polish filmmaker Agnieszka Holland (Green Border, In Darkness).

With playful stylistic flair, the film depicts Kafka’s adulthood – torn between the strict expectations of his father, his monotonous work life at an insurance company, and his compulsion to write, sometimes staying up all night to do so. Franz transports us back and forth in time, from early 20th century Prague through to the present day, where Kafka’s legacy looms large over the city of Prague.

Tragically, Kafka’s life was cut short when he succumbed to tuberculosis at the age of 40, never having received recognition for his writing while he was alive. Nowadays, it’s estimated that the words written about Kafka outnumber the words written by him at a ratio of 10 million to one. Holland’s striking, dynamic and ambitious portrait is a worthy contribution to the canon of fellow artists paying tribute to the literary giant’s legacy.

Festivals & Awards

Academy Awards 2026 - Poland’s submission for Best International Feature Film
European Film Awards 2026 – Nominee, Best Actor, Best Costume Design, Best Hair & Makeup
Toronto International Film Festival 2025 – Official Selection
San Sebastián International Film Festival 2025 – Official Selection
Busan International Film Festival 2025 – Official Selection

Rating

MA15+

Duration

127 min

Country

Czech Republic, Germany, Poland

Language

Czech, German (English subtitles)

Cast

Idan Weiss, Peter Kurth, Jenovéfa Boková, Carol Schuler

Director

Agnieszka Holland

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