‘Kafka’, a new Austrian series, is coming to C4 Streaming in May courtesy of Walter Presents.
The series stars Max Mauff, Patrick Seletzky and Jan Jakubal, and it was created by David Schalko, who also directs. Franz Kafka, the world’s most widely read German-language author, will have died 100 years ago in June 2024, and the time has come for an entertaining and humorous serial approach to his life and character. No one could be better suited for this undertaking than the internationally renowned, best-selling author Daniel Kehlmann and the exceptional writer-director David Schalko.
At the mini-series’ heart are Kafka’s remarkable love affairs with Felice Bauer, Milena Jesenska, and Dora Diamant, his difficult relationship with his tyrannical father, and also his close friendship with Max Brod, who would ultimately come to betray his terminally ill friend, yet assured his enduring fame in the process.
The first episode centres on Kafka’s friend Max Brod. He is a recognised writer, full of energy and ideas, but his biggest project is to achieve fame for his friend Franz. This is a kind of reverse Amadeus constellation: Brod tries with all his might to help his difficult friend, who never returns artistic recognition or support to his most loyal patron.
Brod is a manic womanizer, always involved in several affairs. He is a warm-hearted person and the energy and power center of the story. Unfortunately, he is not a good writer – a fact that Kafka is well aware of.
Walter Presents: ‘Kafka’ will launch on C4 Streaming as a full boxset on 31st May 2024.
