Ep. 14: DANIEL KEHLMANN

Summary In this episode of Shop Talk with Writers, bestselling German-Austrian author Daniel Kehlmann speaks to host Elena Lappin about his latest novel, The Director, which explores the life and work of Austrian director G.W. Pabst during the Nazi regime. Kehlmann delves into the complexities of being a director, the moral implications of artistic choices under totalitarianism, and the challenges of using real historical figures in fiction. He reflects on his cultural identity, the influence of iconic actresses like Louise Brooks, and the importance of the author's voice in storytelling. The conversation also touches on the tragic story of Jakob, a character in his novel, and the dark side of human nature in literature. THE DIRECTOR is published by riverrun, an imprint of Quercus (Hachette). Daniel Kehlmann is also the author of MEASURING THE WORLD, TYLL, and other novels. Keywords Daniel Kehlmann, The Director, G.W. Pabst, historical fiction, totalitarianism, artistic compromise, cultural identity, novel writing, film direction, Louise Brooks,PG Woodehouse, Nazi regime, Hollywood, Austria. Germany Takeaways Daniel Kehlmann explores the complexities of being a director in film. The role of a director is to create a collaborative illusion of reality. Kehlmann's cultural background influences his writing and themes. Novelists often draw from real historical figures to create compelling narratives. The moral implications of artistic choices during totalitarian regimes are profound. Everyday life under totalitarianism can lead to complicity in small ways. Researching historical figures requires a balance of fact and creative interpretation. Louise Brooks serves as a significant influence in Kelman's narrative. The challenge of using real characters in fiction raises ethical questions. Kelman emphasizes the importance of the author's voice in storytelling. Sound bites "I create a version of reality that I think is probable." "I hope I would have done the right thing." "I'm everywhere in my novel. I'm in the atmosphere." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Daniel Kelman and His Work 01:15 The Role of a Director in Film 03:52 Personal Geography and Cultural Identity 07:29 The Novelist's Approach to Themes 10:14 Resurrecting Historical Figures in Fiction 12:06 Exploring G.W. Pabst's Life and Choices 15:05 The Complicity of Everyday Life Under Totalitarianism 18:58 The Impact of Totalitarian Regimes on Artists 21:57 Researching Historical Characters 24:59 The Influence of Louise Brooks 29:01 The Dilemma of Using Real Characters 30:06 The Challenge of Fictionalizing History 32:02 Imagining Lost Films and Artistic Freedom 35:00 The Moral Complexity of Compromise 38:42 The Nature of Compromise in Art 41:59 The Role of Minor Characters 43:43 Finding the Author's Voice in Fiction 45:37 The Tragic Story of Jakob 50:21 The Artistic Process of a Director 54:47 The Author's Presence in the Narrative 59:37 Inserting Humor and Wit into Serious Themes 01:03:49 The Dark Side of Human Nature 01:07:19 The Author's Writing Process and Future Projects SHOP TALK WITH WRITERS is a unique conversation with each author, about the stories behind their books. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to find out more about each episode, and to engage with our conversations with authors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.