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ChaiFlicks, the streaming platform for Jewish storytelling, has acquired the North American rights to the series “Kafka,” from distributor ORF Enterprise, it was announced today by ChaiFlicks’ Co-Founder Neil Friedman.
The global streamer is set to launch the six-episode series based on the life of famed Bohemian writer Franz Kafka June 6th, timed to the 100th anniversary of his death. The series follows the life of Kafka, widely regarded as one of the leading literary figures of the 20th century, who’s troubled personal life influenced his writing that fused elements of realism and the fantastic.
“Kafka” was produced in Vienna and Salzburg, Austria, and stars Swiss actor Joel Basman (“The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch” and “The Monuments Men”) as Kafka. The ensemble cast includes David Kross (“The Keeper” and “The Reader”), Nicholas Ofczarek (“Pagan Peak” and “Tatort”) and Liv Lisa Fries (“Babylon Berlin” and “From Hilde, with Love”).
ChaiFlicks, which is home to over 3,000 hours of top Jewish films, in now available in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.
“We were tracking ‘Kafka’ from its inception because of its special subject matter, and we were thrilled that the series lived up to everything we had hoped it would,” says Friedman. “It’s beautifully written, produced and the cast is truly world-class. Launching it this June is the perfect way for all of us to celebrate and honor Kafka on the 100th anniversary of his passing.”
“Kafka,” which is directed by David Schalko (“Braunschlag”), is produced by Austrian and German public broadcasters ORF and ARD and Schalko’s Superfilm. Schalko also co-wrote the series with bestselling author and writer Daniel Kehlmann based on the definitive Kafka biography by Reiner Stach.
Born in Prague in 1883, Kafka was a German-speaking novelist and writer who became one of the greatest figures in literary history. His best-known works include the novella “The Metamorphosis” and novels “The Trial” and “The Castle.” The TV series follows Kafka’s difficult relationship with his tyrannical father and numerous love affairs.
Trained as a lawyer, Kafka was employed full-time by an insurance company, forcing him to relegate writing to his spare time. Over the course of his life, Kafka wrote hundreds of letters to family and close friends, including his father. He was engaged to several women, but never married and died in obscurity in 1924 at the age of 40 from tuberculosis.
ChaiFlicks recently launched “Fire Dance,” Israeli filmmaker Rama Burshtein-Shai’s coming-of-age story of a young, troubled woman in a tight knit ultra-orthodox religious sect. From the producers of “Fauda” and “Shtisel,” “Fire Dance” has quickly become ChaiFlicks’ most popular series, setting numerous viewing records since its March debut.
About ChaiFlicks:
Launched in August 2020, ChaiFlicks is the world’s largest streaming platform dedicated to Jewish content. ChaiFlicks has over 3,000 hours of acclaimed films, television series, documentaries, and short films. Available on every major streaming device, ChaiFlicks is a collection of the best Jewish storytellers and creators from across the globe. ChaiFlicks initially launched in the U.S. and Canada and has expanded its reach to the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. www.chaiflicks.com
