Screenwriting for Period films: how to tackle the offensive elements from histor!
Question: I'm researching for a story on Pirates based in the 1690's. However, to provide any authenticity of that era - one has to explore the taboo subjects of slavery, racism and rape/torture etc. Pirates are often held in heroic esteem by their movie followers but the truth is, most of them were sadistic, cruel and without compassion. Deleting the true account of Pirate history will make a weak storyline. Including it could create problems with censors. Where does one draw the middle line?
This movie is intended as an amateur documentary.
Answers: I'm researching for a story on Pirates based in the 1690's. However, to provide any authenticity of that era - one has to explore the taboo subjects of slavery, racism and rape/torture etc. Pirates are often held in heroic esteem by their movie followers but the truth is, most of them were sadistic, cruel and without compassion. Deleting the true account of Pirate history will make a weak storyline. Including it could create problems with censors. Where does one draw the middle line?
This movie is intended as an amateur documentary.
honestly, i don't see the problem, especially if it's a documentary, which is supposed to be an accurate reporting of historical fact.
i think the only question is how much rape/torture/pillaging do you need and how graphic does it have to be to convey the essense. you do not want it to become gratuitous, right? sometimes it's classier to bring us to the brink of something visually horrific and then NOT show us, leave it to our imagination by cutting away to something else.
i think you're smart to wonder what the audience's threshold for violence and cruelty is, but ultimately you have to tell your story as you see it. that should be your guide. your gut.