The Fiction of Facts

We recently discussed how many movies do not always give a truthful recount of historical events.  Even though these movies have been nominated as some of the best movies of the year, should they give a true reenactment of events?  Movies like "Argo", "Lincoln", "Zero Dark Thirty", and "Django" have all exaggerated the truth.  This article explains where these fallacies occur.

In class we mentioned how in "Lincoln", Connecticut voted against the 13th Amendment, while in real life, they were for the amendment.  Spielberg decided to change it because he wanted there to be drama towards the beginning of the voting, which is counted alphabetically, in order to make the viewer think that the amendment may not pass.  In "Django", "a freed slave in 1858 did not lay waste to a Mississippi plantation called Candyland to free his German-speaking wife".  However, this addition to the movie added drama and was better for the viewing audience.  And isn't that what directors truly care about?

Despite this notion, directors should at least acknowledge when they do not tell the whole truth.  That is the difference between Truth and truth.  "Truth" is staying true to the intentions of the story, meaning the overall series of events are correlative to reality.  In contrast, "truth" is making sure everything matches exactly what happened in reality, with every quote correct down to the last comma.  While I believe it is alright to exaggerate the truth a little bit, there is a fine line between Truth and truth.  I think that Spielberg crossed that line in "Lincoln".  By changing the vote of a state in the most influential amendment passed for African-Americans, some people may view Connecticut differently.  However, I do not think that Tarantino crossed the line in his movie.  Although Candyland is an unlikely name for a plantation, the overall essence of the treatment of African-Americans was true to history.  

When do you think a director crosses the line between Truth and truth?  And can the line be different for each circumstance?  Please leave comments below.