Truth and fiction in film

Does it devalue history if Hollywood takes artistic liberty in presenting biographies or docudramas? Professor of History Robert Rosenstone will discuss the issue in an upcoming Watson Lecture, “Inventing Historical Truth on the Silver Screen,” on Wednesday, March 3, at 8 p.m. in Beckman Auditorium.

When dramatic historical films become controversial—such as the movie JFK or the recently canceled television film on Ronald Reagan—they are often charged with being worthless because they fictionalize the past. But after working on films for two of his own books, and researching the topic for 15 years, Rosenstone argues that it is precisely by inventing a past that such films communicate valuable information about our history. His talk will be illustrated with clips from historical films.
No tickets or reservations are required; first-come, first-served seating will be available at 7:30 p.m. For more information, contact Public Events at 1 (888) 2CALTECH, (626) 395-4652, or events@caltech.edu, or visit www.events.caltech.edu. Individuals with a disability can call 395-4688 (voice) or 395-3700 (TDD). All Watson Lectures will be available online at Caltech’s Streaming Theater, http://today.caltech.edu/theater.
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