#daniel kehlmann

[supercalifragipopculturevomit]

Have you watched "Next Door (Nebenan)"? I watched it the other day, and thought it was interesting cause even though I am a casual viewer of Daniel, I felt like there were some elements in common with the main character e.g. he's an actor, he speaks Spanish and German (also lowkey love how Daniel does Spanish and German dubs for all his films if they're being translated/dubbed), he is getting a role for a superhero character (similarities stop there though, I think Daniel seems more down to earth lol).

I don't really understand the purpose of this film? Like, what was the main message? What was the guy who knew all that stuff about Daniel's character trying to achieve?

Hi there — yes, I have! It’s definitely not for everyone, but it is quite enjoyable if you’re familiar with his major works and public persona, appreciate the ingenuity of one-location films, and enjoy dark, meta humor.

The similarities aren’t accidental — playing a darker, fictionalized version of himself was the concept he and Daniel Kehlmann (the writer) eventually settled on after developing an idea Daniel (the actor) had been sitting on for nearly a decade. If I remember correctly, it was an encounter with a local patron at a bar in Barcelona that sparked it. He sensed the man could see right through him... knew he was a phony who was trying too hard.

Many of the scenes and exchanges were inspired by real-life encounters he’s had (like the photo faux pas with that Swiss couple). It touches on criticisms he’s received — fair or not — for the roles he’s chosen and the performances he’s given over the years.

It explores, among other things, the cognitive dissonance he feels being a celebrity as a byproduct of success as an actor; the luxuries he can afford (if not outright gifted) while much of the world is suffering; and the guilt he feels over contributing to the gentrification of his neighborhood in Berlin.

I think it was a way for him to work through all the shame, frustration, and embarrassment. I believe he mentioned in an interview that he felt purged afterwards.

Wouldn’t be surprised if the narcissism of his character was also a sharp jab at the massive egos he’s encountered in the industry. All that suffering might’ve been a bit of revenge fantasy on his part.

[amtskind]

Kafka - Videos der Sendung | ARD Mediathek

Videos zu Kafka | Kafkas Schriften sind seltsam und dunkel, seine Persönlichkeit ist kompliziert, sein Einfluss unvermindert. Doch ohne sein

@sepulkralkreatur and i binge-watched the new kafka biopic-series, produced by german television. and i got to say - i loved it so much.

it combined the littlest details from kafka's life and also his aftermath, with his literary work - which often was linked to certain events. for those who read his work and diaries/biographies, spotting all the little references was very fun. and one of my most favourite things was probably the narrator with the reoccurring break of the fourth wall - as well as the music and collage-esque animations.

every episode was told through the perspective of significant people from kafka's life and dealt with a certain theme:

- as well as a 7th bonus-episode "kafka and me", which was more of a documental biography take with interviews, with a dog narrating the scenario and kafka's impact on our society.

joel basman did a great job at portraying franz kafka. the voice, the laugh and facial expressions being awkward all were very fitting and closing the hole, that we as readers experience towards kafka as a person.

the non-linear series served the exact atmosphere, that i associate with kafka: tragedy, humour, and the absurd. daniel kehlmann and david schalko did a great job on writing it. chapeau!

more posts about this series:

comparison of the actors and their roles

intro animations

scene: kafka at the yiddish theater

scene: kafka laughing

franz, dora and their shadow-play

kafka's literary works in the series

kafka's "maneuver life"

[mandabookcorner]

Times are always strange. Art is always out of place. Always unnecessary when it’s made. And later, when you look back, it’s the only thing that mattered.

- Daniel Kehlmann, The Director

[haveyoureadthisbook-poll]

Have you read Tyll by Daniel Kehlmann (2017)?

yes

no

I didn't finish it

I've never heard of it

Voting ended onJun 24, 2025

[sammeldeineknochen]

Das Leben verbiegt jeden, aber manche bricht es brutal und früh.

Daniel Kehlmann: "Lichtspiel", S.459

[adamcadre]

Visitor recommendation series #64

~800 words

[leo-fie]

Since tumblr is talking a lot about jesters recently, may I recommend a novel?

It's one of those books that I only didn't read the whole way through in a single day because I was literally falling asleep. I don't know how Kehlmann does it, but he does.

This book is loosely based on Till Eulenspiegel, the protagonist of an 14th century story collection about his exploits as a jester in the late 13th century. I learned about him in elementary school.

Daniel Kehlmann takes the concept and places it int he mids of the 30-years-war, a particularly nasty period in european history, which as a whole is very nasty already. The novel is "high art" in that the snobby book people like it, but also surprisingly fun and dark and engaging. It takes the form of a picaresque, or Schelmenroman, a genre that tumblr should be very interested in.

All in all: Good book! The snobby book people are right on this one!

[bookcoversonly]

Title: You Should Have Left | Author: Daniel Kehlmann | Publisher: Vintage (2018)