Franz (2025 film)

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Franz
Franz 2025.jpeg
Czech theatrical release poster
Directed by Agnieszka Holland
Written byMarek Epstein
Produced by
  • Šárka Cimbalová
  • Agnieszka Holland
Starring
  • Idan Weiss
  • Jenovéfa Boková
  • Carol Schuler
  • Sebastian Schwarz
  • Katarina Stark
  • Aaron Friesz
Cinematography Tomasz Naumiuk
Edited byPavel Hrdlicka
Production
companies
  • Marlene Film Production
  • Metro Films
  • X Filme Creative Pool
Distributed by
  • Bioscop (Czech Republic)
  • Kino Świat (Poland)
  • X Verleih (Germany)
Release date
  • 5 September 2025 (2025-09-05)(TIFF)
Countries
  • Czech Republic
  • Poland
  • Germany
  • France
  • Turkey
Languages Czech
German

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]

Contents

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. [4]

Plot

Prague 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

Production

The Franz screenplay was written by Holland and Marek Epstein based on a story by Epstein and Mike Downey. [2] Principal photography began on 12 April 2024, in Prague and moved to Berlin at the end of May. [5]

Release

Franz will compete for Golden Shell in the Official selection at the 73rd San Sebastián International Film Festival on 22 September 2025. [6]

Reception

In a review for Deadline, critic Damon Wise calls the film a "playful and oddly endearing biopic of the enigmatic Czech author." [7]

Accolades

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef.
Camerimage 22 November 2025 Golden Frog Tomasz Naumiuk Pending [8]
San Sebastián International Film Festival 27 September 2025 Golden Shell for Best Film FranzNominated [9]

References

  1. ↑ Balaga, Marta. "Films Boutique Reunites With Agnieszka Holland on Kafka Biopic 'Franz,' Closes First Sales (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  2. 1 2 Kudláč, Martin (20 December 2023). "Agnieszka Holland braces to shoot Kafka biopic Franz". Cineuropa. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  3. ↑ Gray, Carmen (5 September 2025). "'Nothing Is Final With Kafka': Agnieszka Holland on 'Franz' and Rehumanising a Legend". The Film Verdict.
  4. ↑ Barraclough, Leo (15 September 2025). "Oscars: Poland Selects Agnieszka Holland's 'Franz' for International Feature Race (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  5. ↑ Barraclough, Leo. "Films Boutique Reveals First Sales, First Look Image for Agnieszka Holland's Franz Kafka Biopic 'Franz' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ "AwardsWatch - 33rd Camerimage Lineup: 'Hamnet,' F1,' 'Sinners,' 'Sound of Falling' and More". AwardsWatch. 29 October 2025. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  9. ↑ González, David (1 September 2025). "San Sebastián completes its selection". Cineuropa . Retrieved 15 September 2025.

See also

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