Intermedial Transformations in an Intercultural Context

Abstract

Against the backdrop of modern epochal changes and the development of high-tech pro­cesses, our research focuses on intermedial transformations in an intercultural context, a topic which is gaining increasing importance today. This primarily includes literary film adaptations. Such adaptations are no longer confined to the process of converting a narrative text into visual imagery. It has become com­monplace for a work created within one cultural system to be revived within another, breathing new life into it or at least manifesting loyalty to the original. This creates intercultural dialogue, where linguistic, ideo­logical, narratological and aesthetic systems collide. When a text created in one linguistic space is transferred to another cultural context and transformed into cinematic language, a process of revaluation of symbols, values and cultural memory begins.

Additionally, modern cross-cultural adaptations push the text beyond linguistic, aesthetic, and ideolo­gi­cal boundaries, creating new interpretive spaces and cultural codes. Intercultural film adaptations of literature not only adapt the content, but also introduce new textual and cultural codes. This is due to functional and structural changes in characters, themes and symbols according to cultural norms, cinematic conventions and social context.

Thus, the adaptation process is perceived as one of interpretation and recontextualisation. Analysing intercultural film adaptations of literature reveals that film does not have the power to directly adopt certain literary forms (e.g. interior monologues or narrative instances) without changing them, and must therefore develop its own visual and narrative strategies.

Ultimately, the intercultural adaptation of literature is understood as a creative compromise between fidelity to the original text and culturally conditioned adaptation. The focus is on the productive differences that arise from media and cultural changes.