Known for Writing
Franz Kafka (July 3, 1883 – June 3, 1924) was a German-language Bohemian writer born in Prague. Combining elements of realism and the fantastic, his works explore themes of alienation, existential anxiety, guilt, and bureaucratic absurdity, originating the term "Kafkaesque." During his lifetime, Kafka published short stories and the novella The Metamorphosis (1915). Following his death from tuberculosis, his unpublished manuscripts were posthumously edited and released by his executor Max Brod, including the celebrated novels The Trial (1925), The Castle (1926), and Amerika (1927). His literature remains a foundational influence on modern prose, theater, and cinema.
Born
July 3, 1883
Died
June 3, 1924 (age 40)
Birthplace
Prague, Kingdom of Bohemia, Austria-Hungary
Filmography
99 films, 6 shows
Schron
Schron
2026


The Judgement
2026 · 13m · UK
Georg writes a letter to his distant friend to announce his engagement. This seemingly ordinary act triggers a harrowing confrontation with his domineering Father.
Kafka: Proces
Kafka: Proces
2023 · CZ
Mauro Bigonzetti's ballet based on Franz Kafka, performed by the National Theatre Ballet. Choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti, fascinated by the irresistible language of Prague native Franz Kafka and the enduring relevance of his novel "The Trial," was drawn into the dark world of Josef K and created a modern dance production depicting the world of the protagonist and his hopeless struggle with a cold and heartless modern society. Bigonzatti used music by a number of composers from different historical periods, from D. Buxtehude to H. Górecki, C. Monteverdi, and M. P. Mussorgsky. This selection is remarkably balanced and surprisingly contemporary.


Métamorphose
2016 · FR
One morning, after a night of anguish, a symptom of an unconscious revolt, a man wakes up transformed. He tries to reach his parents who knock on his door. With painful effort, he manages to open the door, but at the sight of him, frightened and disgusted by his disturbing strangeness, his parents close the door on him. Placed outside the world and desperately alone, he will have to endure the process of annihilation that is set upon him.


The Castle
2015 · 1h 31m · RU
Based on Franz Kafka's The Castle. A certain K. appears in a snow-covered godforsaken village as if out of nowhere. All the power in the village belongs to the mysterious Castle that strangers are barred from accessing. K. presents himself to the locals as the Land Surveyor "summoned by the Governor himself." But he is denied work and a place to stay. The only person that doesn't turn her back on him is barmaid Frieda, lover of the powerful official Klamm. K. seeks a meeting with Klamm thinking that is the only way to get something out of the soulless bureaucratic machine. But without realizing it, he soon begins to play by its rules, setting himself up for inevitable defeat.
K
K
2015 · 1h 26m · UK
A mongolian interpretation of Kafka's "The Castle".


The Burrow
2014 · 1h 50m · DE
KAFKA'S THE BURROW tells the story of a man's "metamorphosis" (as Kafka would put it) in a rapidly changing and increasingly isolated world. A man, who has seemingly achieved everything, ensconces himself in his burrow, a fortress-like apartment complex. But no matter how hard he tries to keep the outside world at a distance, he gets more and more entangled in his own web of fear and paranoia: those outside know he is there, they want him, they want his wealth, and they are inevitably going to get him ...


Metamorphosis
2012 · 1h 42m
Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman, wakes up in his bed to find himself transformed into a large insect. After the metamorphosis, he becomes confined to his room and neglected by his family.


Metamorfosis
2004 · 20m · ES
A young man's family has trouble adjusting to his sudden transformation into a giant bug.


Metamorphosis
2002 · 1h 20m · RU
Based on Kafka's story of the same name, "The Metamorphosis" tells the story of a traveling salesman, Gregor Samsa, who wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into a gigantic insect.


The Castle
1997 · 2h 3m · DE
When land surveyor K arrives at a small village that houses a castle, local authorities refuse to allow him to enter. As he tries to convince the officials that they sent for him, they clamp down with increasingly complicated bureaucratic obstacles.


Metamorphosis: Beyond the Screen Door
1997 · 1h 10m · US
In director Norith Soth's modern retelling of Franz Kafka's classic tale, young Tom Gregor wants nothing more than to support and serve his family -- a mission that falters when he's overcome by a mysterious illness. With his parents too old to work and his younger sister turning to prostitution, things go from bad to worse when Tom's abusive boss fires him -- but then continues to show up at his house -- and his health fails to improve.


The Country Doctor
1996 · 15m · CZ
An animation based on a short story by Franz Kafka about a country doctor interrupted by an alarm clock on a quiet home evening. In a bomb-ravaged room are waiting a dying child and a group of black market traders playing cards.


Land Surveyor
1995 · 31m · RU
Animated film based on F. Kafka's work "The Castle". It was created at the studio of the Naumov brothers in 1993. Technology - plasticine lining.


The Castle
1994 · 2h · DE
Closely based on Franz Kafka's book "Das Schloß", the movie shares the same action on a land surveyor who is called to a village to do a job that no one seems to have ordered. Once there, he takes up the struggle against bureaucracy emanating from the castle.


Amerika
1994 · 1h 30m · CZ
Vladimír Michálek chose an unconventional adaptation of Franz Kafka's novel for his feature debut. Artistically reminiscent of the classic films of Karel Zeman, the director reinterpreted this dark story of a man vainly seeking a place in a rigidly ordered society by changing the desperate conclusion into a happy end. The film provided Czech comedian Jirí Lábus with a new kind of role: that of the despotic uncle of a main hero Karel Rossman (Martin Dejdar).


The Mix-up
1994 · 1h 55m · EG
Ihsan is a simple employee in the Ministry of Culture from the house to the office and vice versa his work colleague Nargis loves and plans to marry him. He is surprised by one of the security authorities arrested and directed a number of charges, which does not know the cause and continues to haunt him
Procesas
Procesas
1994 · 2h 16m · LT
Based on the novel of the same name by Franz Kafka.


The Trial
1993 · 1h 58m · UK
Joseph K. awakes one morning, to find two strange men in his room, telling him he has been arrested. Joseph is not told what he is charged with, and despite being "arrested," is allowed to remain free and go to work. But despite the strange nature of his arrest, Joseph soon learns that his trial, however odd, is very real, and tries desperately to spare himself from the court's judgement.
The Metamorphosis of Franz Kafka
The Metamorphosis of Franz Kafka
1993 · 29m
Free adaptation based on Kafka's "The Metamorphosis". The action is in Praga occupied by Germans, at home of a Jew family (maybe the Kafka's). Novel's room of Gregor Samsa is replaced by an enormous library.


Linna
1986 · 1h 39m · FI
Based on Franz Kafka's famous novel, director Jaakko Pakkasvirta created this interpretation of the woebegone Josef K., who is trapped in an ever-increasing labyrinth of double talk and bureaucratic nonsense in his efforts to reach the castle. As Josef seeks to make an appointment to see the ruler Herr Klamm inside his inaccessible abode, he becomes enmeshed in abuse from lowly villagers and bureaucrats alike. His endless false starts toward the castle's enigmatic interior are partly offset by a few sexual encounters but nothing alleviates his role as a victim of forces beyond his control.


Class Relations
1984 · 2h 7m · FR
A young man, recently arrived in New York from Europe, becomes swept up in a series of events that are beyond his knowledge or control.


Une villa aux environs de New York
1982 · 55m · FR
Karl, a young immigrant, lives with his uncle in New York who jealously watches over the education of his nephew. A friend, Mr. Pallunder invites Karl to spend a night at his house. Despite strong opposition from his uncle, Karl agrees. On the way, Karl realises he may have displeased his guardian. His desire to turn back will be prevented.
"Amerika" vor Augen oder Kafka in 43 Min. 30 Sec.
"Amerika" vor Augen oder Kafka in 43 Min. 30 Sec.
1978 · 43m
Essay film about Franz Kafka's novel "Amerika".
The Metamorphosis
The Metamorphosis
1976 · 1h 22m · SE
A Swedish adaptation of the Franz Kafka novella. Gregor Samsa, wakes one morning to find himself transformed into a large, monstrous beetle.


Metamorphosis
1975 · 55m · DE
Travelling salesman Gregor Samsa wakes to find that he's been transformed into a giant insect. This particular Franz Kafka adaptation is seen from Gregor's point of view, continuing to explore themes of alienation, family duty, and the absurdity of modern life as the Samsa clan cope with how to go on with the situation at hand.
Amerika oder der Verschollene
Amerika oder der Verschollene
1969 · 1h 25m · DE
Young Karl Roßmann emigrates to the USA, meets a rich man whose money Karl initially lives off, but who soon throws him out again.


The Castle
1968 · 1h 33m · DE
A man comes to a small village to begin his new job as an attendant at the nearby castle. But everybody in the village claims that he surely must be mistaken, there is no need for an attendant at the castle.


La metamorfosis
1964 · 51m · VE
Gregor Samsa tries to get up to go to work, but realizes that during the night he has turned into a gigantic insect. Venezuelan adaptation based on Jorge Luis Borges' translation of Franz Kafka's novel.


The Trial
1962 · 1h 59m · FR
Arrested for an unnamed crime, Josef K. is trapped in a surreal bureaucratic maze where justice is unknowable and guilt is assumed.
Prosessen
Prosessen
1962 · NO
Adaptation of Kafka’s famous novel for Norwegian TV. Joseph K. discovers two policeme in his appartment, while in the middle of the morning routine. These men lead him into a nonsensical labyrith of a legal system.
L'arresto
L'arresto
1954 · IT
Film based on the first chapter of Kafka's “The Trial.”