Intentionally or not, the effect of this is to continually frame historically diverse narratives as cautionary tales ending in tragedy.
-
-
Replying to @fozmeadows
The fact that films are more likely to be made about figures whose endings are tragic in the first place is a facet of the same problem.
1 reply 0 retweets 4 likes -
Replying to @fozmeadows
This is why, for instance, we're given a tragic film about Lili Elbe instead of a period spy thriller about the Chevalier d'Eon.
2 replies 2 retweets 13 likes -
Replying to @fozmeadows
Or why we'll get Agora, with its tragic arc about Hypatia's death, instead of an uplifting drama about Agnodice's life and achievements.
1 reply 0 retweets 8 likes -
Replying to @fozmeadows
Hidden Figures - which I'm desperate to see - is a notable break in pattern, and also, not coincidentally, wildly successful.
1 reply 0 retweets 11 likes -
Replying to @fozmeadows
WE NEED TO TELL MORE UPLIFTING DIVERSE HISTORICAL STORIES, instead of relentlessly framing everything around tragedy.
2 replies 9 retweets 12 likes -
Replying to @fozmeadows
Not only is it necessary and important, but there's clearly an audience for it - and a wealth of amazing stories as yet untold to draw from.
1 reply 0 retweets 4 likes -
Replying to @fozmeadows
If we can make umpteen films about Alexander the Great that stop short of depicting his death and leave him triumphant, there's no excuse.
1 reply 2 retweets 6 likes -
Replying to @fozmeadows
Yes, the lives of some historical figures are more intimately twined with tragedy than others, and yes, those stories are important, too.
1 reply 1 retweet 4 likes -
Replying to @fozmeadows
But the repeat decision to frame the majority of diverse historical stories as leading directly to the protagonist's death? Unnecessary.
1 reply 2 retweets 5 likes
You're not committing an historical injustice if you draw the curtain before your character dies and end on a high note. I promise.
-
-
Replying to @fozmeadows
We don't remember a figure like Ramanujan because he died, but because of what he did while he lived.
1 reply 0 retweets 2 likes -
Replying to @fozmeadows
Spoiler alert: in watching any historical film, unless it's set in living memory, we ALREADY KNOW the characters end up dead, because TIME.
1 reply 1 retweet 11 likes - Show replies
New conversation -
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.