The paper analyses the transformation of Kruno Quien's novella Kaya into a screenplay adaptation and a film of the same title by eminent Croatian director Vatroslav Mimica. The analysis points out significant characteristics of both the transformation of the text and the transformation of the portrayed Mediterranean urban area (a crime in Trogir), as well as the linguistic stylization of the characters' Trogir dialect, which contributes to the atmosphere of the film. Discussions surrounding the film have so far only unfolded on the basis of a comparison between Quien's novella and Mimica's film. This analysis thus contributes important information about the structural and narrative characteristics of the unpublished screenplay, shedding more light on the paths towards leading to the creation of this Croatian film, which is considered Mimica's best work and one of the best Croatian films.
