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A dizzying Kafka biopic that isn’t really Kafkaesque

JL;DR SUMMARY Agnieszka Holland's biopic "Franz," premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival, explores the life and legacy of Franz Kafka. A way out west there was a fella, fella I want to tell you about, fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least, that was the handle his lovin' parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude. Now, Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from. But then, there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I found the place s'durned innarestin'.

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Tags

Jewish HistoryBiopicModernityPragueFranz KafkaToronto International Film FestivalAgnieszka HollandLiterary InfluenceKafkaesqueIdan Weiss

Places mentioned

Toronto, Ontario, Canada
"Agnieszka Hollands biopic Franz, making its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival Sept. 5, has all the Belle poque trappings, and never misses a camera trick."
Prague, Prague, Hlavní mešto, Czechia
"On the steep streets of Prague, Kafka demands change of a beggar, the world and people behind him tiered at levels that seem to go on endlessly."
Germany
"A 2024 German-Austrian miniseries lent Kafkas biography the just-so symmetry and fondness for curios found in Wes Andersons work."
Austria
"A 2024 German-Austrian miniseries lent Kafkas biography the just-so symmetry and fondness for curios found in Wes Andersons work."
Japan
"When he goes for one of his legendary swims, a tour group from Japan settles down by the bank in the spot of grass that he favored."
Poland
"Working with a script she co-wrote with Marek Epstein, Holland, the Polish director perhaps best-known for 1990s Europa Europa, has more tricks up her sleeve."

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Retrieved 2025-09-06 05:30:54 UTC
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