The category of alienation in the intermedial context: a case study of Franz Kafka’s novel The Castle

The article examines the main theoretical approaches to intermediality focusing on the role of cinema as a medium capable of synthesizing several art forms simultaneously. Cinema possesses unique expressive means such as montage, sound, mise-en-scène, and acting, which together constitute the visual language of film and make it possible to interpret complex philosophical and artistic texts on screen. The socio-cultural significance of the category of alienation remains relevant in the modern world, where social isolation and the loss of connection with the surrounding reality are key issues for many people. Analyzing alienation through works of art in different intermedial spaces allows for a deeper understanding of these phenomena. Research into the intermedial transformations of Franz Kafka’s novel in cinema remains insufficient. We trace these transformations through three film adaptations by directors from Germany and Russia.