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his dissertation examines the adaptation of literary texts into audiovisual formats in Latin America during the transition from the 20th to the 21st century. It explores how themes such as violence, melodrama, pedophilia, and pornography evolve, alongside the ethical and social repercussions brought about by these adaptations. The study centers on the cinematic and television adaptations of Luna caliente (1983) by Mempo Giardinelli and Rosario Tijeras (1999) by Jorge Franco. These works were adapted into various formats, reflecting the distinct sociocultural and historical contexts of their respective nations.
The research draws on an interdisciplinary framework, emphasizing intertextual connections between literary and audiovisual languages. Aligned with Linda Hutcheon’s perspective on adaptation as a creative process that goes beyond mere fidelity, the analysis considers adaptations as independent artistic works with unique cultural significance. The study also integrates Paul Sellors’ collaborative theory to underscore the joint efforts of directors, screenwriters, and technical teams in shaping these adaptations, contrasting this approach with auteur theory.
Set against the backdrop of political and social upheavals, Luna caliente portrays the oppressive dynamics of Argentina’s military dictatorship (1976–1983), using allegory to critique corruption, impunity, and authoritarianism. Meanwhile, Rosario Tijeras exhibits the harsh reality of Colombia in 1980s and 1990s, marked by the expansion of drug trafficking, poverty, and escalating violence. By exploring the thematic, structural, and formal changes involved in adapting literature to film and television, this research highlights how adaptations not only reinterpret their source material but also generate new narratives that resonate with the cultural and historical specificities of their contexts.