From written utopia to audiovisual dystopia. The serial and cinematographic adaptations of The Typescript of the Second Origin

Abstract

Following the recent cinematic adaptation of Manuel de Pedrolo’s novel (Mecanoscrit del segon origen, 1974), this article undertakes a comparison of the various adaptations for the big and small screen. The series, produced by TVC and shown from 1985-1986, was directed by Ricard Reguant. It is composed of 7 episodes and had Manuel de Pedrolo himself as script writer. The 2015 film Segon origen, directed by Carles Porta and Bigas Luna, has a running time of 102 minutes. The starting point for this comparison will be its assignment to the science fiction genre as a utopic or dystopic product. Comparisons will be drawn with other audiovisual and literary products, as well as the original 1974 Mecanoscrit novel. The methodology used is to compare these two cultural productions, especially in regard to issues of myth, genre, intertextuality and adaptation.

Keywords

• Catalan TV series
• film
• adaptation
• intertextuality
• recurrence themes