This article explores the relationships between cinema and literature in the work of two fundamental Chilean filmmakers: Ra & uacute;l Ruiz and Ignacio Ag & uuml;ero. We are interested in examining the ways in which both directors relate to literature: both from the novel and the story, as well as from poetry and the essay, and the ways in which from there they enrich their audiovisual narratives. The starting point is the book Written by filmmakers, which compiles essays by thirty Chilean filmmakers, including one written by Ag & uuml;ero and several others in which Ruiz emerges as an undeniable influence. From both authors we will review the tensions between image, word; literature, cinema; Theoretical essay and audiovisual creation.