Brazilian and Spanish Literature and Cinema: A Comparative Perspective

Abstract

This article sets out to make a comparative analysis of the emergence of cinema in Brazil and Spain between 1896 and 1920. It takes into account the socio-cultural and economic factors of these two countries as well as the relationship between this new manifestation of art and literature, and by so doing points towards possible contributions of literary narratives to the development, or underdevelopment, of national cinematographic productions. To this end, a bibliographical survey of the history of the cinema in Brazil and Spain was made. This takes into account information for which there are no formal records but which can be gleaned from informal records. The results point to literature having made an important contribution, during the first 25 years of the cinema, especially in Spain, where the literary system was better structured and there was an outlook that prioritized national productions. In Brazil, this contribution was far from significant since cinema was considered an activity engaged on by foreigners and did not form part of the national vision for art.