There's no question that Soderbergh wanted to make a film noir and found in Lem Dobbs' script the ideal vehicle (when I first saw it, someone in line claimed that Soderbergh hailed Dobb's screenplay as the best he had ever read). The struggle many have with the script is that it requires a degree of understanding about Kafka, his life, his work, as well as elements of world history from 1919 (the film's time period) to 1991 (the years of the film's release, shortly--ironically--after the Velvet Revolution).
In 1991, I was at a loss, yet so in awe of the film's daring visual style that I wanted to know more. I read the works of Kafka, studied his biography, even visited Prague. Today I feel I have a better understanding of the film ... and yet I am no better off for it. It seems unfair that a film requires such additional research for one to enjoy it (like the bibliography at the beginning of Pasolini's SALO). The only function movies like this serve is to enable dreary intellectuals to peer down their noses at movie fans and chastise of for "not getting it."
That said, KAFKA is a riveting piece of filmmaking. Don't try to understand it or even think you have to. Just take in the rich cinematography, the powerfully understated acting and some of the quirky dialogue. It's one of those films that you find yourself enjoying without really understanding why.
In 1991, I was at a loss, yet so in awe of the film's daring visual style that I wanted to know more. I read the works of Kafka, studied his biography, even visited Prague. Today I feel I have a better understanding of the film ... and yet I am no better off for it. It seems unfair that a film requires such additional research for one to enjoy it (like the bibliography at the beginning of Pasolini's SALO). The only function movies like this serve is to enable dreary intellectuals to peer down their noses at movie fans and chastise of for "not getting it."
That said, KAFKA is a riveting piece of filmmaking. Don't try to understand it or even think you have to. Just take in the rich cinematography, the powerfully understated acting and some of the quirky dialogue. It's one of those films that you find yourself enjoying without really understanding why.