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

Authors

  • Anna Tous-Rovirosa Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6092/issn.2421-454X/7625

Keywords:

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

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.

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TV Series and Films cited

Battlestar Galactica (1978)

Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009)

The Blue Lagoon (1980)

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)

Brothers and Sisters (2006-2011)

Carme i David, Cuina, Menjador i Llit (1986)

Cast Away (2000)

CSI: Miami (2002-2012)

CSI: New York (2004-2013)

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000-2015)

Dexter (2006-2013)

E.R. (1994-2009)

E.T. (1982)

Falling Skies (2011-2015)

Fin (2012)

Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)

Grey's Anatomy (2005-)

House (2004-2012)

The Island (2005)

Jamón, jamón (1992)

Kiu i els seus amics (1985)

La teta i la lluna (1994)

Lost (2004-2010)

Mad Men (2007-2015)

Mecanoscrit del segon origen (1985)

Mission: impossible (1996)

Pantanal (1990)

Person of Interest (2011-2016)

Poblenou (1994)

Segon origen (2015)

Six Feet Under (2001-2005)

Los últimos días (2013)

V (1983-1985)

V (2009-2011)

The War of the Worlds (2005)

When in Rome (2002)

The X-Files (1993-2002)

The X-Files (2016)

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Published

2017-12-28

How to Cite

Tous-Rovirosa, A. (2017). From written utopia to audiovisual dystopia. The serial and cinematographic adaptations of The Typescript of the Second Origin. Series - International Journal of TV Serial Narratives, 3(2), 5–15. https://doi.org/10.6092/issn.2421-454X/7625

Issue

Section

Narratives / Aesthetics / Criticism