In the last couple of months, with all the talk about Guantanamo and haebus corpus , I was thinking that a modern day retelling of the story might prove interesting. Possibly looking at the story through the eyes of a Middle Eastern man who has been unfairly accused of a crime.
Anyone think that might make a good movie?
I think it's important for the story that the main character shares traits with the targeted viewers or readers. If some Middle Eastern filmmaker decided to adapt the book for a Middle Eastern market, it would be fitting to use Middle Eastern surroundings and characters.
share[deleted]
That is a good point, but with a movie it is impossible to create a setting that is truly without the characteristics of some region. The characters may be white, the movie in english, etc.
Perhaps a movie more loosely based on 'The Trial' which provides insight into the topic of foreign states unfairly trying the citizens of a sovereign nation would prove interesting.
I just read the book in the summer and with the current events in the news it got me thinking about some parallel ideas.
[deleted]
you missed the point totally "blad" -
i agree yes, part of what makes the film so good and mysterious is the fact it is not set in a specific country, knowing that was what u meant, its quite funny that this "blad" fella took offence, and suggested making a british version (which contradicts what you ACTUALLY meant) - while saying britain is better, ha. not that i am arguing british/american obviously, as that is a silly arguement, specially since im british....but still - very funny BLAD
also i dont agree that it could be adapted to a sort of racist terrorist accusation thing - cos the subject matter wouldnt lend itself to the story, using that as a story would not work in the right way in the context of the trial - imagine the story, but remade....how would it work in the terrorist accusation way, think about each story point. The Trial is far too surreal in every way to lend itself to a serious and current affairs political context directly, only very metaphorically, which it already is in welles film.
making that type of remake would be a totally different film entirely, and would be weak and watered down greatly in comparison - but this is all my opinion though!
I think that a starkly anonymous sense of place is absolutely essential for any remake. It should have a timeless, "could happen anywhere" quality about it. Such a quality allows it to be both immediately recognizable and oddly disconnected at once.
As far as an actor to play K, I could see Adrian Brody pulling off the part. He has the look and awkwardness requisite for such a conflicted character.
Also, one shouldn't forget that the one of the main points of the novel/film is the absurdity of putting Josef K. on trial. This absurditiy is heightened by the fact that K is not a minority or someone you would expect to be get into this situation. He is a high middle-class person, has a respectable job, contacts that others would dream of (eg. his uncle, the advocate and Leny), seems hard-working and innocent, is well-educated and has morals. Even so, he is accused, and whereas others wait for ages for their trial, he is sentenced fairly quickly.
Also, I think the concept of terrorism would apply only to certain countries, such as the US and the UK (maybe child molester would be a better one). It would be interesting to make a film about that, but that wouldn't be a remake of The Trial. The Trial is a parabel for the infinite and absurd loops of bureaucracy and the law system, regardless of the crime or of the person.
i agree with you on this, however the one who started the topic is a *beep* idiot imo. Typical, how they're always trying to make things more logical than they are...I agree with you, though, that this film is meant to feel like it is happening anywhere at anytime. It is a key element to the film, if you ask me.
sharei agree with you on this, however the one who started the topic is a *beep* idiot imo. Typical, how they're always trying to make things more logical than they are...I agree with you, though, that this film is meant to feel like it is happening anywhere at anytime. It is a key element to the film, if you ask me.
sharek. was not subject to the trial because of his religion or ethnicity; written on a different perspective; the idea is a bit different than that; yes; Sartre once said that the novel was based on antisemitism; being guilty for something you couldn't choose for; to be haunted with your ethnic characteristic for the rest of your life; BUT I don't agree on that.
İt might have been a different kind of motivator for Franz K. But the whole idea is a about the meaningless of life; if you ask me; the individual is meat for the bueaucracy and the whole government;
and the most important point is that Jozef K. did never wonder about the reason why he was put on trial !! He just wanted to get over it; even if that meant to be incaracarated or to be murdered..
a Grotesque beauty..Thank you kafka ;)
My remembery is that k. /was/ interested enough in the name of the alleged offense that he did ask -- once.
You're correct: the individual /is/ grist for the government mill, helpless and eventually cast aside. I wonder if a modern remake could be based on a contemporary crime that drags an individual into a system where he is again helpless and chewed into small pieces: identity theft. Imposing that upon the background of two conflicting machines (government and financial institutions) could surely be the stuff of impotence nightmares.
Resp'y,
FYouGitive
I really, really and truly hope that they don't make a remake, or even make an attempt at the greatness of this film.
If they made a new one, they'd probably have Denzel Washington as Josef (doesn't he always play some kind of hapless victim?), Anthony Hopkins as the Advocate, William H. Macy as the first inspector... well you get the idea (yuck).
Yup. It would come off as another "Enemy of the State" - and this time, K wins! The explosions at the end would be his blowing up the govt. buildings! From a bad-ass helicopter with missiles, Romy at his side! The soundtrack would be whatever popular song is current. Thatz Hollywood.
share this is the modern day retelling. If you were to do that you would simply create a movie that would be dated in a decade or two.
PRIDE