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KAFKA'S LAST STORY
- Written & Directed by: Sagi Bornstein
- Produced by: Sagi Bornstein – Bosa Productions
- Co-Produced by: Christian Drewing - EIKON Südwest GmbH
Synopsis
While the world may be eternally grateful to Max Brod for preserving some of the greatest works of 20th century literature and transforming Franz Kafka into a global cultural icon, Kafka himself may be turning in his grave. Kafka’s final wish stated that “all that is left in my estate must be burned completely, without reading”, was famously disregarded by his closest friend, and the rest is literary history. However, nearly a century after Kafka’s untimely death, the fate of his invaluable manuscripts is at the heart of a heated debate involving millions of dollars and political wrangling between Israel and Germany.
The film follows the manuscripts from their initial journey in Brod’s suitcase from Nazi occupied Europe to Israel, to their current location, gathering dust in a run down Tel Aviv apartment, closely guarded by an unstable, eccentric woman and dozens of cats. The result is a twisted, bizarre detective story, whose irony and absurdity would not have been lost on the great man himself.
Images
Awards
- Special Jury Remi Award – WorldFest Houston, USA, 2012
- Special Jury Mention – Moscow International Detective & Research Film Festival, 2012
- Best Author's Approach - XVI International TV Festival Bar Montenegro, 2011
Festivals
- WorldFest Houston, USA, 2012
- Detective International Film Festival, Russia, 2012
- Bucharest Jewish Film Festival, Romania, 2012
- International Francophone Film Festival, Bratislava, Slovakia, 2012
- Toronto Jewish Film Festival, Canada, 2012
- The 14th International Francophone Film Festival Bratislava, Slovak Republic, 2012
- Westchester Jewish Film Festival, USA, 2012
- Young Israel Of Scarsdale Synagogue, USA, 2012
- Westchester Jewish Film Festival, USA, 2012
- TV Bar Film Festival, Montenegro, 2011
- Leipzig International Documentary Film Festival, Germany, 2011
- UK Jewish Film Festival, 2011
- DocAviv Int'l Film Festival - Official Competition, Israel, 2011
Educational
- Library of Congress
- Arizona State University
- Maryland University
- Duke university
- Kawartha Lakes Public Library
- Yad VaShem Visual Center
- Harvard University
- University of Pennsylvania
- AJS Conference, 2011
- University of South Florida
Press and Links
"After lengthy legal battle, Franz Kafka and Max Brod safety deposit boxes being opened. Nine remaining boxes in which the writers' manuscripts were hidden for decades are being opened in Tel Aviv and Zurich. The court has banned publication of their contents."
For the entire article by Ofer Aderet/Haaretz.com, July 13, 2010, check: http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/after-lengthy-legal-battle-franz-kafka-and-max-brod-safety-deposit-boxes-being-opened-1.301792
