“Based on actual facts”: Documentary Inscription in Fiction Films

IF 0.5 0 FILM, RADIO, TELEVISION Studies in Documentary Film Pub Date : 2021-01-02 DOI:10.1080/17503280.2020.1854072

P. Carrera

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引用次数: 1

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article analyzes the discursive functions of the expression ‘based on actual facts’, or related utterances such as ‘based on real events’, ‘based on a true story’, ‘inspired by a true story’, etc., through which documentary rhetoric is inscribed in fiction films. It is concluded that one of these functions is to substract fictional stories from textual and ideological criticism by means of a supposed closeness to ‘factuality’, creating a simulacrum of discursive transparency. Through the formula ‘based on real facts’, and similar ones, reality is identified with a specific form of representation, i.e. with a particular rhetoric. This is produced through a double movement: on the one hand, it is assumed that documentary film is or should be a faithful reflection of a reality that precedes it, and that it is, as a discourse, subordinated to and at the service of that supposed pre-discursive reality; on the other hand, once this candid perspective on documentary narrative has been assumed, the fictional discourse that is said to be ‘based on actual facts’ endorses with the truth-effect of documentary narratives (‘factual truth’) the discourse on values that is characteristic of fiction.

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“立足事实”：小说电影中的纪实题词

摘要本文分析了“基于事实”的表达，或“基于真实事件”、“基于真实故事”、“受真实故事启发”等相关话语在小说电影中的话语功能。结论是，这些功能之一是通过所谓的接近“真实性”的方式，将虚构故事从文本和意识形态批评中剥离出来，创造一个话语透明的模拟。通过“基于真实事实”和类似事实的公式，现实被认定为一种特定的表现形式，即一种特殊的修辞。这是通过一种双重运动产生的：一方面，人们认为纪录片是或应该是对其之前的现实的忠实反映，并且作为一种话语，它服从于并服务于所谓的话语前现实；另一方面，一旦假设了这种对纪录片叙事的坦诚视角，所谓“基于真实事实”的虚构话语就与纪录片叙事的真实效应（“真实真相”）相一致，即小说特有的价值观话语。

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来源期刊

Studies in Documentary Film FILM, RADIO, TELEVISION-

CiteScore

1.00

自引率

16.70%

发文量

期刊介绍： Studies in Documentary Film is the first refereed scholarly journal devoted to the history, theory, criticism and practice of documentary film. In recent years we have witnessed an increased visibility for documentary film through conferences, the success of general theatrical releases and the re-emergence of scholarship in documentary film studies. Studies in Documentary Film is a peer-reviewed journal.