These are the Books that Inspired the Oscar-Winning Films

The 94th Academy Awards ceremony, held on March 28, brought with it awards for films based on literary works. Thanks to the cinema we have been able to take these stories out of the imagination to contemplate them on the big screen. Thus, from literary classics to new works, they have inspired filmmakers to bring them to theaters. Here we present this year's winners whose story is based on a book.

Adapt, an “easy” but risky path

The symbiosis that has been created between cinema and literature has been great, the scope of each art separately is not compared to what is achieved when they are integrated. Proof of this are tapes such as The Godfather trilogy, based on the work of Mario Puzo; or Blade Runner, based on the short story by Philip K. Dick. Although it seems like a guaranteed path, this is not always the case, the differences between the book and its adaptation, in addition to the legions of faithful followers of literary works, can bring down the attempt to bring the works to the cinema successfully. Despite this, directors continue to bet on adapting books to the cinema with excellent results.

The books and stories that inspired the Oscar winners in 2022

Dune, Frank Herbert (1967)

Duna was one of the surprises of the Oscars, although it seemed that it was outlined for merely technical awards, in the end it managed to reach the main categories to win six statuettes. It is based on the homonymous book by Frank Herbert, it is a work of science fiction that transports us to the planet Arrakis, the place where melange is obtained, a kind of drug and vital spice. The ruler, Shaddam IV and House Harkonnen set a trap for House Atreides to contain their power and importance by sending them to this planet. However, they do not manage to finish off the entire Atreides family, who will receive help from the inhabitants of the planet in a mission of prophetic scope.

Men Without Women, Haruki Murakami (2014)

Drive my car is the winning film for Best International Film. This work is based on a short story of the same name contained in the book "Men without women" by the famous Japanese writer Haruki Murakami. The work was published in 2014, it is the youngest text of those that were awarded in this ceremony. In it he tells us the story of Kafuku, an actor who has lost his wife. Life leads him to require the services of a chauffeur, to whom over time he begins to tell important moments of his life as an actor and his marriage.

Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare (1597)

A play that requires no introduction, Romeo and Juliet is one of those universal works. Although Shakespeare was not the "inventor" of this type of "forbidden romances" he is the author of the most famous of them. One of his most famous adaptations is undoubtedly West Side Story, which has become one of the most famous musicals. In the film, the story of Romeo and Juliet moves from Italy to New York, from the 16th century to the 20th century, with Tony and Maria as the protagonists. To top it off, the extraordinary music of Leonard Bernstein creates a contemporary atmosphere and musical fusions that have made it a success.

You can also read: What are the 2022 Oscar winners and where to see them?

The Power of the Dog, Thomas Savage (1967)

A brilliant and complex work, if you are looking for a deep book this is an excellent option. “The power of the dog” transports us to the plains of Montana where the Burbank brothers, Phil and George, have their ranch. They both represent duality, Phil is tough and George is noble, the problem comes when George decides to marry a widow who has a teenage son. Phil will do everything possible to make their lives more difficult, while this happens the chiaroscuro of the human essence will come to the fore.

One Hundred Years of Solitude, Gabriel García Márquez (1967)

"Encanto" could not be left out, Disney's animated film inspired by Colombia that won the award for Best Animated Film, thus, without a doubt, magical realism stands out. This current is characterized, among other things, by the integration of magical, fantastic and/or supernatural elements as something that goes unnoticed, that is, it is common. "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel García Márquez is undoubtedly the greatest inspiration, it tells us the story of the Buendía family and the mythical town of Macondo. In "Encanto" we can see, for example, the yellow butterflies as one of the elements inspired by the literary work. In the book they are inseparably linked to the character of Mauricio Babilonia.