One of the key characteristics of present day media is actually our focus on the past. Hundreds of biopics or films “based on a true story” have been made between 2000 and 2022, with recent biopics including King Richard and House of Gucci, which were both Oscar nominees for this year’s Academy Awards. According to an article by Variety Magazine, “In the past decade alone, 88 films were nominated for best picture, and 34 of them were fact-based, a hefty percentage” (Gray, 2021). Some might criticize Hollywood’s reliance on biographical films, however audiences historically have positive reactions to such films. I think what makes biopics and films “based on true stories” so successful is that they often already have ground to capitalize on. For example, the famous rock band Queen had a global reach and audience during its time, therefore the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) was a huge success, earning more than $900 million worldwide at the box office.
Another component of the entertainment industry capitalizing on the past is the popularity of period pieces, which have become increasingly prevalent in today’s pop culture. From BBC’s Sherlock (2010) with Benedict Cumberbatch, to Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of Little Women (2019), to the recent release of the second season of Bridgerton (2022), film and TV are capturing historical nostalgia. Rapidly, literature classics the works of Bronte and Austen are adapting to the big screen. An article from Smithsonian Magazine entitled “Why Do We Love Period Dramas So Much?” said that “The thing about creating the past, as the makers of period drams do, is that it doesn’t have to look as complicated as the present…That can be a comfort for viewers, because really, their lives are complicated enough” (Eschner, 2016). The ultimate goal of entertainment is to allow audiences to forget whatever is currently weighing them down in their personal life—to turn off their brain and to enjoy a story. Period pieces are perfect for entertainment because with them comes an indulgent aesthetic.
Interestingly, the concept of nostalgia has also been popularized by today’s media. It is seemingly this middle ground between period pieces and biopics where a time period that many audiences have personally lived is the backdrop of a plot. A clear example of the use of nostalgia as a cornerstone in entertainment is the Netflix show, Stranger Things, which is set in the mid 80s. Many aspects of the show are characterized by this choice of time period, from the costuming to the location. But not only are the superficial aspects of the show influenced by the 80s, aspects of the plot are as well. The show relies heavily on many references to activities and phenomena within the time period, such as the game Dungeons and Dragons. However, the basic elements of the plot of the show could exist at any point in time, even in the future. So why was it set in the 80s? Nostalgia. A large demographic of the show’s audience would have grown up during or quickly following the time period that the show took place in, and therefore would heavily relate to the ‘world’ of Stranger Things, ultimately increasing the shows likelihood of success.
Much of the present is spent looking at the past, for better or for worse. Reflection is pivotal for growth and also provides as a comfort in times where everything feels out of control. So watch an ‘oldie’ turned new.
References
Gray, T. (2021, March 13). Awards voters’ love of biopics extends to Hollywood’s early days. Variety. Retrieved April 2, 2022, from https://variety.com/2021/film/awards/oscar-voters-biopics-1234919559/
Eschner, K. (2016, December 15). Why Do We Love Period Dramas So Much? Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved April 2, 2022, from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-we-love-period-drama-180961474/