Cinematic Adaptation of Literary Works

The assignment discusses the cinematic medium's ability to convey the literary form through film adaptations. It highlights how filmmakers can use cinematography effectively to communicate messages to audiences. The study concludes that films can represent stories in an effective manner, making cinema a suitable medium for adapting literary works.

PORTUGUESE FILM &
LITERATURE

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Present study will explain whether cinematic medium is capable of rendering literary form
or not. It will give justification by giving examples of films such as Os Lusiadas, The Murmuring
coast.
MAIN BODY
In the nineteenth century new art form “cinema” has emerged. Literatures and books have
been promoted through cinematography. It is argued by Stam, (2017), that screenplay has huge
capability to express feeling, emotions and reflect reality. Cinematic medium is capable of
rendering literary form. Technological innovation provides opportunities to film makers to
develop traditional art. In the recent time authors are aggressively participating in cinematic
creation of their literature. Till the end of 20th Century strong relation have been built between
cinema and literature. Over a period of time film makers have contributed well in showing
serious issues and actual condition of society, nation through cinematic medium.
For example, “Os Lusiadas” is the most popular Portuguese epic poem. Luis Vaz de
Camoes is the writer of this literature (Hall and Whannel, 2018). This is all about discovery of
sea route to India. This poem was all about interpretation of Portuguese voyages discovery
during 15th-16th century. However, when this poem has been presented through cinematic effects,
it created image on the mind of mass audience. Colours, story, expression of actors have shown
real picture of that century. Cinema is the dynamic art form, though it is an entertainment
industry but there are many potential directors and filmmakers who use this medium to promote
important message such as social political issues to the audience. Film industry is the only
platform that shows expression and emotions. When author write a book then writer creates
image in the mind of reader by using appropriate words but cinematography is the art form that
visually represent reality of that movement to the mass people (Lee, 2015).
“The Murmuring coast” is another example that represents cinematic medium is capable
of rendering the literary form. It is a full length feature film. Margarida Cardoso is the director of
this film who has been stood out over a period of time in the Portuguese documentaries. “Kuxa
Kanema” and “Christmas 71” are two most popular documentaries made by the same director
that have earned huge popularities. Christams 71 is the movie about colonial war. In this picture
director has used appropriate colours, and correct cinematography features (Yacavone, 2016).
Actors have worked well and have expressed emotions of people those who were involved in this
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colonial war. Kuxa Kanema is the story of birth of cinema after independence. “The Murmuring
coast” is cinema adaptation of novel written by Lidia Jorge. He is considered as most prestigious
contemporary author (Gaudreault and Marion, 2015). Initially novel was published in seven
languages in the year 1988. Later on film maker reflected the entire novel in film. Cinematic
effects have become successful to show pain, silent faced by people of that duration. Evita
arrives in Portuguese colony to merry military service man Luis. She has realised that her
husband has been changed (Literature and cinema, 2015). During turmoil war he transformed
into pale imitation. Evita was all alone and she realised why Luis has changed. Due to
involvement of Helena, Luis behaviour was altered towards Evita. She has become tangled in
sordid violence.
Through colour combination, darkness of her life has been shown clearly in this film that
has helped the film maker in making real connection with audience. Pictures, expression of
actress show her need of freedom and independence in all senses of this movie. Cinematic
features of this film does not only show war but also reflect an allegory to love (Theories of
adaptation: Novel to Film, 2017). Cinematography director has become able to show actual
condition of Portuguese society in the 60s.
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The picture is showing pain of Evita due to distance from her husband. She loves her
husband but due to changed behaviour of her love she was broken down. All the time she felt so
alone. Her eyes reflected the pain from which Evita is going through (Comparison of two media’
cinema and literature, 2018).
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The picture is showing condition of military service man. His nervousness when he got
married. In the novel, expression and emotions of the person cannot be shown. But
cinematography features allow film maker to express actual condition of the military person
during such type of condition. The picture also reflects environment of army and atmosphere
during their celebrations (The Murmuring cost, 2018). Novel can not reflect this literature so
clearly. Words sometimes fail to connect with the audience but cinematic medium always makes
connection with viewers by creating actual environment.
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The picture is showing aloneness of the girl who has married with military person and
has been cheated by her husband. The background, lighting that have been created to show her
emotional aspect (3 Types of Cinematic Movement That Will Make Your Film More Dynamic,
2018).
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The interrogation of representation of story and historical narrative blurs line between
fiction and history. The Murmuring Coast demonstrates difference between various groupings.
Dickens’s cinematic techniques take support of close up, frame composition that visual
presentation create unique image in the mind of viewer. In this film, camera travels from ocean
to face of Evita. Her faced was covered with bridal veil. Her expression during seen to her
groom was amazing moment (Fil: visual literacy, 2014). Lighting was light that has highlighted
the expression of both groom and bridal. Photographer has taken pictures of both in such
direction that can express their emotions clearly. Camera has highlighted self reflexive
consciousness and has shown expression of female properly. This reflects that cinematic medium
is capable enough to render literary form, otherwise through novel it was very difficult for the
author to show real feeling of girl when she sees her groom. Through correct camera angel,
lighting her nervousness, happiness can be reflected properly in films (Theories of adaptation:
Novel to Film, 2017).
Through this female, director has become able to show female position in the masculine
world. Cenamatic medium clearly render that at that century female were not having rights to
make their own decision. They have to take permission from men to travel in other location. The
above picture of that film shows that women cannot express their views in front of men. Colonel
has asked with Evita during dancing that what she think about Africa, he has not given her
chance to say any think and has continued that Africa is the crazy place, people are very crazy
(Lee, 2015). The cinematic techniques have shown expression of Evita that she was not allowed
to share her opinion; she has to listen to her husband only. But when this thing is expressed in
novel through words then author has just written that women were not allowed to share their
views at that time but when this thing has been reflected through expression of Evita then it has
connected with the reality of that time (Gaudreault and Marion, 2015).
Furthermore, psychological violence of Evita against Helena has been portrayed through
cinematic medium very well. Literature based on psychological violence was unable to touch the
heart of audience because it was written in simple language and words are unable to get in touch
with reality. Expression, colour, lighting and visual effects can make the audience aware with
actual condition of that female and viewers can feel that pain and loneliness of Evita (Stam,
2017). Helena expressed her feeling that she does not want to go home, the shooting has been
done near lake. Beauty of this place has shown the surrounding. It is argued that affirmative
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practice of philosophy thinking can be applied fruitfully as a literacy practice through
cinematography.
It is argued by Gaudreault and Marion, (2015), Involvement of camera has improved the
art form but painting can show many things that sometimes photographs cannot show through
cinematic medium. Literature of any story is greatly affected by storytelling technologies. Prior
to use of cinema and camera, story was told through words in novel. But in novel author was
unable to describe scenes of sunset, sunrise. Once camera and cinematography has come to the
industry then it was easy for the writer to show all the exotic aspects of story in front of viewers.
Cinematic medium helps in making interactivity with the viewers and it makes them aware with
reality (Theories of adaptation: Novel to Film, 2017).
When story is showing through movie or cinema then it supports in creating real image of
particular situation in the eye of people. Literatures allow reader to get experience of fear, urges
that occur in particular story but it is very difficult to convey to mass audience this literature.
Cinematic medium allows film maker to circulate important message to the public and develop
interconnection between viewers and other actor who is performing on that literature. Film
process is more interesting aspect for the viewer because they can understand it easily and can
get connected with the real situation of story. But sometimes films show more than the actual
condition that sometimes create negative image in the mind of public because people those who
have read particular novel they know the real facts but in pictures some aspects are being missed
(The Murmuring cost, 2018).
Film making gives more opportunities to individual to woo the viewers. Filmmakers
represent story in such manner so that audience can get connected. Cinematic moments such as
tracking shots, panning shots, close-ups etc. all use in different situations. Moving camera add
aesthetic energy to shot that reflect clear picture of subject. Aesthetic energy shows in more
effective manner if moving elements and camera movement work in proper manner (Fil: visual
literacy, 2014).
Disquit is another popular book that has been presented now through cinematic medium.
Cinematic movement that have been used have shown essence of dreams. The novel texts were
written in a musical manner but when it is represented through cinema then it has amazed the
audience. Cinematography is done by Joao Braz. Written words and visual images create
different impression in the mind of audience (3 Types of Cinematic Movement That Will Make
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Your Film More Dynamic, 2018). For example: in the movie of The Murmuring Coast character
of military person has been shown very clearly, the personality clearly reflects the actual
working style of military persons. Therefore, novel as cinematography cannot show identity
language of moving images can help in creating actual meaning and individual can remember it
for the longer duration. Camera angel, set designs, lighting, and post production all these things
make the story more interesting for viewers. Film makers use various techniques to show
characters effectively (Lee, 2015). Film makers have to communicate the message to audience
through actors. These actors play significant role and showing the real expression.
On the other hand, Stam, (2017) argued that cinematic medium is not capable of
rendering the literary form because the message that is conveyed in accurate manner that cannot
be done through cinema. It is because cinema focuses more on drama whereas novel
concentrates on literary meaning of story. In the past era there were many people those who were
facing social and political issues. Many film makers have made films on these issues but despite
of showing the real facts they transformed these things into big drama. That is why real issue was
not communicated in literary form (Fil: visual literacy, 2014). Sometimes film maker pays more
attention on revenue generation rather than conveying right message to audience. In such
condition cinematic medium gets failed to communicate or render literary form.
But if right film maker is involved in the visual story telling then individual can use
cinematography in proper manner and can convey message to the mass audience. Effects of
camera, lighting always enhance quality of story that touch the viewers and they remember it for
the longer duration. Hence, cinematic medium is completely capable of rendering literary form
(3 Types of Cinematic Movement That Will Make Your Film More Dynamic, 2018).
CONCLUSION
From the above study, it can be concluded that films represent the story in front of mass
audience in an effective manner. Cinematic adaption of novel is faithful to literary work.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Gaudreault, A. and Marion, P., 2015. The End of Cinema?: A Medium in Crisis in the Digital
Age. Columbia University Press.
Hall, S. and Whannel, P., 2018. The popular arts. Duke University Press.
Lee, L., 2015. Japan's Cinema of Tricks: Optical Effects and Classical Film Style. Quarterly
Review of Film and Video. 32(2). pp.141-161.
Stam, R., 2017. Film theory: an introduction. John Wiley & Sons.
Yacavone, D., 2016. Film and the phenomenology of art: Reappraising Merleau-Ponty on
cinema as form, medium, and expression. New Literary History. 47(1). pp.159-185.
Online
3 Types of Cinematic Movement That Will Make Your Film More Dynamic. 2018. [Online].
Available through: <https://nofilmschool.com/2018/05/3-types-cinematic-movement-
will-make-your-film-more-dynamic >.
Comparison of two media’ cinema and literature. 2018. [Online]. Available through:
<http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/142786/9/09_chapter03.pdf >.
Fil: visual literacy. 2014. [Online]. Available through:
<https://repository.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1475&context=asc_papers >.
Literature and cinema. 2015. [Online]. Available through:
<http://ijll-net.com/journals/ijll/Vol_3_No_1_June_2015/6.pdf >.
The Murmuring cost. 2018. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.venice-days.it/download2004/murmuring%20coast_english.pdf >.
Theories of adaptation: Novel to Film. 2017. [Online]. Available through:
<http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/29149/9/09_chapter%203.pdf >.
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