What Does It Mean to Be Based on a True Story?
We have all heard these phrases before - "Based on a True Story," "Inspired by True Events...;" they're a frequently used tagline attached to books and surprisingly, many movies. Chances are you saw one or two movies in the past year with such a tagline. When you finished watching the film did you ever find yourself wondering... What does it mean to be "Based on a True Story?" Was that really what happened? Did that haunting really happen? Did Ben Aflleck really save six American hostages from Iran single-handedly? The term sounds self-explanatory; the movie, play, book, etc., is based on a true story. But to what extent is what we just saw "True?" After all isn't all fiction based on real events? What separates a fiction story from a "based on a true story?" What is it about "Based on a True Story" that intrigues audiences? This site is dedicated to deciphering the genre of "Based on a True Story," its definition, its use, its impact of this genre and how it differs in what I will call, "Fiction on a True Story." Although this genre applies to all forms of art, with such a growing number films based on true events, that film will take the precedent. So, let's begin by defining what it means to be "Based on a True Story." |
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