Bitopics: Blurring bounadries
Biopics; taking real stories and -for the most part- twisting the truth. This form of media has been increasingly both popular and incredibly controversial in recent years. Whether it’s misrepresentation, or simply flat-out lies, there are evident dramatics used as tools to create certain narratives and push agendas in much of the biopic hemisphere. Netflix series creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan are currently the center of the biopic conversation due to their new hit show, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”. The morally-gray conception of their creative process isn’t hard to spot, both Murphy and Brennan were also contributors to the “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” series. Suspicions quickly rise after merely glancing at the marketing of both shows, Murphy and Brennan claim that the shows are a continuation of one another- with the Menedez brothers serving as season two of the Dahmer story. This factoid itself is harmless, but the fact that they chose to market “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” as its own show, and release it was an entirely different show, capulets that they only care about the money. However, where the uncomfortable creation of these series truly reveals itself is in the content itself. The first show in the “Monster(s)” collection, Dahmer, highlights the life story of Jeffery Dahmer, a serial killer and cannibal. While this show had murky moral lines, with the families of his 17 victims repeatedly establishing that they didn’t want media made about the murders, at least one thing was apparently true: Dahmer is a monster. However, this reality blurs when it comes to the Menendez brothers. The Menedez brother’s case is remarkably horrific and unfortunate, involving double homicide and copious amounts of abuse. Lyle and Erik’s parents’, Jose and Kitty, sexually, mentally, and physically abused them throughout their childhood, leading the brothers to murder them as indirect self-defense. This case, like Dahmer’s, took place years ago, and only both brothers are still alive. The depiction of Lyle in the series is clearly entertainment-motivated, turning him into the ‘monster’ by watering down the internal contradicting themes to be more palatable for viewers. In many ways the actual case was a biopic in it of itself, with the first trial being televised due to the Menedez’ affluent background and their father’s social status. The question of whether or not the brothers are in the wrong varies depending on the spectator, what is apparent is that their case is not even remotely on the same level as that of Dahmer, a mass murderer and predator. The series of Murphy and Brennan’s are each controversial in their own right, yet there's still hope in the biopic industry. Patty Jenkins, writer and director of the Oscar-winning movie “Monster” brings another true-crime tale to the table. Based on the life of Aileen Wuornos, a prostitute who shifted to serial killing after repeated abuse from male clients. Jenkins shares the importance of truth when delving into weaving the story of the life of another. “As long as I am not manipulating the true values of the story, that's okay,” She said. “…as long as it didn’t change the greater truth of the story, I didn’t make someone guilty, I didn’t make her look innocent when she wasn't innocent” Being able to draw a fine line between entertainment and respect for the truth is highly important ethically in the film industry, as lies can harm lives and reputations.
Art by Raha Ghoroghchian
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