2024 brought some literary pleasures into my life: a posthumous Gabriel García Márquez book was published, and some of my favorite books by Latin American authors were brought to the screen in the final weeks of the year.
These productions, recently released on platforms such as Netflix and HBO Max, are also making history by being produced in the original language and with actors from the regions, bringing a unique cultural richness that is palpable in every frame.
These productions have taken off, but are need bigger audiences, to prove that adaptations that respect the original story and are financially successful are possible. Quality often does not translate into financial support, but quantity of viewers does. That’s our power as viewers.
Don’t hold back because if you don’t speak the language, as there are subtitles and dubbing. Personally, I think subtitles respect the work of the actors the most and help you have a better experience. I grew up watching productions in many languages and it gives the stories an identity and a cultural richness that allows you to travel from your couch at home.
One Hundred Years of Solitude (Netflix)
Gabriel García Márquez is one of my favorite authors. I have read One Hundred Years of Solitude over and over again since I was a teenager. So, my heart leapt with joy when they announced the creation of the series.
But I won’t lie, I was scared. I didn’t want a production that would change García Márquez’s original vision. However, the author’s sons were involved, which helped to respect the story.
Although it seemed impossible to bring the magical realism from the pages, Aureliano, José Arcadio, Úrsula and Pilar Mosquera are exquisite on the screen. For many years it was thought to be one of those unadaptable works that could only exist in books and in the mind of the reader. But Netflix proved otherwise with the release of the first eight episodes in December.
The myth fell, the care with which it was made is noticeable, taking care of book lovers over those who have never read the novel.
García Márquez rejected the possibility of an adaptation during his lifetime, which was for the best. At another time, the result would not have been so good. Now, the platforms are paving the way for non-English productions that add great audiovisual value, they are investing their money to achieve the quality that is expected and, especially Netflix, already has enough trust in Colombian productions because of the work that has been done in the past.
The vision of producers and directors of Latin American origin (Rodrigo García, The Sopranos; Alex García López, Misfits; and Laura Mora Ortega, Los reyes del mundo) is also essential, because the respect for the work is captured on the screen.
Watching the series is definitely not like reading the novel. However, it respects the identity by transforming Macondo into a real city that now merges with the one created in the mind of each reader.
Pedro Páramo (Netflix)
When I read Pedro Páramo, the book by Mexican author Juan Rulfo, I had a similar feeling to One Hundred Years of Solitude. The plot is closer to the supernatural genre, in a town ravaged by time and misfortune, where only ghosts remain.
In fact, Comala is a purgatory town, which in life was also a hell for its inhabitants. This atmosphere of death and ghosts is well captured by director Rodrigo Prieto, who has extensive experience as a cinematographer for films such as Babel, Amores Perros, The Wolves of Wall Street, Argo and Brokeback Mountain.
Pedro Páramo is also one of those stories that is difficult to tell on screen because it has a non-linear narrative. However, a screen adaptation is essential for new readers to reach its story.
I felt like I was living in a cloud of ghosts as I absorbed the plot when I read the book.
Now that I’ve seen the movie, I’m looking forward to reading it again.
Like Water for Chocolate (HBO)
Laura Esquivel’s famous novel is another of the works that had an adaptation in 2024. This is not the first time; the story has been adapted to film, theater and ballet in the past.
Like Water for Chocolate is rich in magical realism and flavors: the main character is able to transmit her emotions through her dishes. This fascinating idea nourishes the story and at the same time reflects the passion for gastronomy in every Mexican home. A place where every ingredient is magical, cooking times are sacred and every food has a supernatural power to restore body and soul.
As with One Hundred Years of Solitude, the second season of this magical story, which combines family tradition, love, duty, magical realism and the deeply human, is expected in 2025.
Every page of the book should be reread and every episode enjoyed with a good bowl of popcorn or, better yet, a tasty Mexican dish like mole.