Literature & Film

Novels, short stories, children's books, theatre and more

Actually, they are constant rivals, and yet they cannot let go of each other: Literature and film. Especially for the marketing of a film, it seems to be of great advantage if there is a literary model. Whether novels, novellas, short stories, plays or even operas: A film always draws on the popularity of the original and thus seems to be easier to market. Even in the early days of film, literary models were adapted - not always to the advantage of a film. Many complexly composed novels often lose substance and depth in the film version, not least because a film distrusts its own artistic means and accepts a flattening in the compulsion to be faithful to the work. Only those who realise the fundamental media differences between literature and film can possibly find an appropriate approach to the original. Accordingly, the best literary adaptations are sensitive, responsible approaches: They seek and find an appropriate correspondence in cinematic quality. Our collections on "Literature & Film" refer to the many and varied adaptations of literature. They also take into account those films that make literature their subject, for example in portraits of writers, but also in fundamental approaches to the fascination of books, plays or even operas.

Even in the early days of film, literary models were adapted - not always to the advantage of a film. Many complexly composed novels often lose substance and depth in the film version, not least because a film distrusts its own artistic means and accepts a flattening in the compulsion to be faithful to the work. Only those who realise the fundamental media differences between literature and film can possibly find an appropriate approach to the original. Accordingly, the best literary adaptations are sensitive, responsible approaches: They seek and find an appropriate correspondence in cinematic quality.

Our collections on "Literature & Film" refer to the many and varied adaptations of literature. They also take into account those films that make literature their subject, for example in portraits of writers, but also in fundamental approaches to the fascination of books, plays or even operas.

Watchlist