At Congress PCI, a filmmaker-screenwriter-actor trio shared their experiences and insights adapting literary fiction for film.

By Hannah Johnson

Exploring the connection between writing and cinema, speakers at the recent “Filmmaking Alchemy: The Dynamic Relationship Between Literature and Film Adaptations” panel—hosted during the 2024 International Congress of Arabic Publishing and Creative Industries in Abu Dhabi (Congress PCI)—discussed the work involved in bringing Arabic-language books to life through film.

Moderated by Eisa Al Marzooqi of Sky News Arabia, the panel featured Egyptian actor Karim Abdel Aziz, acclaimed director Marwan Hamed (read our interview with Hamed here), and author and screenwriter Ahmed Mourad. The trio of speakers have worked together on multiple film projects including Kira & El Gin, The Blue Elephant, and The Blue Elephant 2.

A key theme of the discussion was the question of localization and how far to deviate from a book’s original text and plot. As a film director, Hamed said that the question of localization parallels the book-to-film adaptation process. Creators need think about how much they are changing and what value they are adding beyond mere translation.

Mourad echoed this sentiment, saying creators need a deeper understanding of a nation’s mentality before attempting to adapt content—particularly during the screenwriting process.

In general, the panelists expressed reservations about taking localization too far. Mourad argued for a nuanced approach that captures the essence of the source material while tailoring it to the target audience’s cultural context.

Asked whether he thinks about the potential for film adaptation when he’s writing his novels, Mourad said no. “A novel is a marriage,” he said. “I’m living for years with my characters. It’s not like screenwriting. … I want my novel to be able to stand on its own two feet, without a film adaptation.”

Along with translation and localization, Hamed said, novels need to be condensed to make a film adaptation, but this needs to be done without compromising the story’s integrity.

“Cinema uses a visual language, not just a written language,” he said. And while visual elements can take the place of text, he said, “when you have a successful novel that has reached many readers, the question is whether the audience will like the adaptation.”

The panel also explored historical films and adaptations, particularly apt as the recently released film Kira & El Gin—directed by Hamed, screenplay by Mourad, and starring actor Aziz—is based on Mourad’s historical fiction novel 1919, set in Cairo as protests mounted against British rule there.

Mourad and Hamed agreed that Arab history offers a fertile ground for storytellers. They acknowledged the challenges of accurately portraying historical contexts while maintaining narrative engagement.

Alongside the specifics of creating film adaptations, the issue of availability of Arabic content arose—an issue that crops up in many discussions at the Congress PCI. While Marwan acknowledged that while “we [in the Arab world] are the very cradle of fiction,” Arabic cinema is still “taking its first steps” compared to Hollywood.

Aziz captured this argument, saying, “There is a lot of content, but it needs an opportunity.”

As the panel drew to a close, the panelists had some brief advice for publishers seeking to bridge the gap between literature and cinema. Mourad advocated for stricter quality control to build reader trust. “If we have a market with a filter, it’s easier for filmmakers to find books to adapt,” he said.

Hamed added that effective communication between publishers and filmmakers is crucial, something film festivals and industry events—like the International Congress for Arabic Publishing and Creative Industries—can facilitate.

More About Congress PCI

Now in its third year, the International Congress of Arabic Publishing and Creative Industries is organized by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre and takes place the day before the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair opens. Organizers say they intend to continue expanding this conference event into “a knowledge-sharing hub for regional and global publishing and creative content developers in the Arab market.”

In addition to a full day of professional discussions, the program includes workshops and masterclasses for creative professionals and students, as well as an exhibition of technology and creative companies working in the Arab world and internationally.

Follow Publishing Perspectives for more coverage of this year’s Congress PCI.