Theories, Practices, Adaptations – Shakespeare’s King Lear and Kurosawa’s Ran, Arthur C Clarke & Kubrick’s 2001 A Space Odyssey, G.B.Shaw’s Pygmalion & My Fair Lady, Boris Pasternak’s Dr. Zhivago & Lean’s Dr. Zhivago, Conrad’s Heart of Darkness & Coppola’s Apocalypse Now
Theories, Practices, Adaptations
Shakespeare's King Lear and Kurosawa's Ran
King Lear, a tragedy by Shakespeare, explores themes of madness, betrayal, and family dynamics. Kurosawa's Ran adapts these themes to a feudal Japanese context, focusing on power struggles and the impact of war. Both works emphasize the tragedy of human nature and the consequences of pride.
Arthur C Clarke & Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey
This film merges literary and cinematic forms to explore existential questions about humanity's place in the universe. Clarke's narrative complexity is paralleled with Kubrick's visual storytelling, making it a landmark in both literature and film for its thematic depth and innovative techniques.
G.B. Shaw's Pygmalion and My Fair Lady
Shaw's play addresses class distinctions and social mobility through the transformation of Eliza Doolittle. My Fair Lady, as a musical adaptation, retains these themes while enhancing them with song and dance, making the social commentary more accessible and engaging to audiences.
Boris Pasternak's Dr. Zhivago and Lean's Dr. Zhivago
Pasternak's novel intricately weaves personal and historical narratives set against the backdrop of the Russian Revolution. Lean's film adaptation captures this essence visually, emphasizing the emotional turmoil and grandeur of the story through cinematography, while sometimes condensing complex themes.
Conrad's Heart of Darkness and Coppola's Apocalypse Now
Conrad's work is a profound critique of imperialism and human savagery, explored through a journey into the Congo. Coppola's Apocalypse Now transposes this journey to the Vietnam War, retaining the central themes of darkness and moral ambiguity, and utilizing film as a medium to amplify the existential dread.
