Curtiz (film)

Curtiz is a 2018 Hungarian-Canadian biographical drama film directed by Tamás Yvan Topolánszky. The film focuses on the life of Hungarian-American film director Michael Curtiz during the tumultuous production of Casablanca in 1942.

The film explores the challenges Curtiz faced, including creative conflicts with the studio and cast, his difficult relationship with his estranged daughter, Kitty, who visits him on set, and the pressure of creating a successful film during wartime. It portrays Curtiz as a demanding, perfectionistic, and often emotionally distant figure, driven by his artistic vision.

Curtiz delves into the complexities of the Hollywood studio system during the Golden Age, highlighting the compromises and collaborations required to bring a film to life. It also examines themes of artistic integrity, family reconciliation, and the impact of global events on individual lives. The film stars Rafael Feldman as Michael Curtiz and features supporting performances that depict individuals surrounding the director during the making of Casablanca.