Intermedial adaptation analysis of literary narratives into film across postcolonial contexts and transnational cinematic traditions

Intermedial adaptation of literary narratives into film represents a complex cultural and aesthetic process shaped by historical, linguistic, and ideological contexts. Broadly, adaptation studies have evolved from fidelity-based critiques toward more dynamic frameworks that emphasize transformation, reinterpretation, and cross-media dialogue. Within postcolonial contexts, these adaptations are particularly significant, as they mediate histories of colonialism, identity formation, and cultural resistance while negotiating power structures embedded in both literature and cinema. Transnational cinematic traditions further complicate this landscape by introducing hybrid storytelling techniques, diverse production networks, and global audience expectations. Narrowing the focus, intermedial adaptation in postcolonial and transnational settings involves the reconfiguration of narrative voice, temporality, and symbolism as texts move from page to screen. Filmmakers often employ visual, auditory, and performative elements to reinterpret literary themes such as displacement, memory, and hybridity, thereby creating new layers of meaning. These adaptations do not merely reproduce source texts but actively reconstruct them within new socio-political and cultural frameworks. This study highlights how intermediality functions as a critical lens for understanding the transformation of narratives across media, revealing the interplay between local cultural specificity and global cinematic influences in shaping contemporary storytelling practices.