The definition of Kakfaesque is this, taken from the Free Dictionary: Kaf·ka·esque
adj.
1. Of or relating to Franz Kafka or his writings.
2. Marked by surreal distortion and often a sense of impending danger:
This movie was definetly full of surreal distoration, and seemed influenced by the story of Frankenstein, or other such monster movies, where a mad scientist is attempting to create a terrible creature, by removing mans emotions. This is definetly surreal, and creates a sense of danger, where one is scared that the mad scientist will succeed. The film is riddled with fantastical elements, that seem out of place in late 19th centurary Prague. This include the castle being inhabited by the madman and his lackeys, and also the idea that the man has. It doesn't seem possible for this idea to have been at all possible in the late 19th centurary, and invokes a sense of sci-fi in the viewer.
The film contains little inside jokes and references to Kafka's work, with people asking him about the novels he is working on, and him replying that they would think it was silly. He tells them about the book, and they scoff, not realizing how ground-breaking 'The Metamorphosis' will be. When Kafka visits the castle, he tells his accomplise to burn his manuscripts if he doesn't return, a nod to the real Kafka's dying wishes. This little references help us to link that the character is based of Kafka, but isn't the real one, simply a fantastical version of him.
Continuing on the moves surreal trend, the whole thing is in black and white, something very uncommon in films in the 90s, that were released in the box office. This adds to the historical feel of the film, and makes you feel as if you are in the time, not to mention aging the film. Even I believed that it was a much older film, even though I know that Jeremey Irons, the man that plays Kafka, definetly isn't old enough to have played a character in the black and white era of the silver screen. This whole idea, however is turned on its head when Kafka enters the castle. Everything gains colour, making the whole sequence of scenes appear out of this world. It adds to the suspense of the film, and really throws you off when it comes in, as you have become accustomed to the lack of colour. This again adds to the surrealism, as it feels somewhat odd to be looking at the 19th century Prague in colour, as it seems to fit the black and whiteness of the film a lot more, being a Gothic city and castle.
i thought the film was funny too but i thought it was more becuase of the false suspense.the time period definately confused me with also the spatial changes confused me like when he just pops out the filing cabinet. the film makers seem to alter time and space in a way. why do you think they do this? i think much of our identities and societal values are sculpted by time and space, like when and where in the world we exist. but when this is altered i think that forces us to look with in to define ourselves, instead of looking to our society. i disagree that the brain surgeons were removing emotions becuase why else was that laughing guy smiling and laughing histerically surely that must show atleast synthetic happiness.
ReplyDeleteI disagree in that they were altering space and time. I feel that the reason he popped out of the filing cabinet is because of the design of the film. It seems like a good place for a secret escape tunnel to be located. It is simply an artistic take on the castle to add excitement and adventure to the castle. Also, when you talk about the laughing guy smiling and going through hysterics, I don't believe he was one of the mans experiments. The laughing man is simply another extension of the absurd. He is something that hasn't accepted his place in society, and therefore tries to kill people to get his vengeance. That is why he sided with the scientists. In my point of view, of course.
ReplyDelete