From words to images and sounds. Regarding the film version of La isla de los hombres solos (1974)

Abstract

This paper is about transference of cultural forms and contents in the novel La isla de los hombres solos (1963) by José León Sánchez and the namesake movie directed by René Cardona (1974). Precisely, it is about the filmic adaptation, transposition or transécriture: in other words, pouring narrative contents (a fabula) from words to audiovisual media. This reflection avoids the idea that a literary text is, by definition, superior to a movie. In contrast, it takes not only the novel as a starting point, but also it recognizes the "opportunities" (narratives, audiovisuals or in the story line), for a film. In other words, it analyzes possibilities (semantic, syntax, significant, and pragmatics orders); and they are contrasted by the final Cardona or the screenwriters' choices. This paper affirms the creative and procedure features of the transmedia displacement; for example, identifying film elements that go beyond the novel limits and dialogue with other José León Sánchez texts.