Both documentaries and biographical films have the power to tell the stories of real people, events, and history. However, despite some similarities, these two genres differ in purpose, style, and approach. While both seek to inform or entertain, the way they present their subjects varies greatly. In this post, we’ll explore the key differences between documentaries and biographical films, highlighting what sets them apart in terms of content, storytelling, and visual style.
Documentaries vs. Biographical Films: Purpose and Intent
One of the most significant differences between documentaries and biographical films is their purpose. Documentaries aim to provide an in-depth look at a real subject, often with the goal of educating or informing the audience. They focus on presenting factual information, presenting events or people in a non-fiction context. Documentaries often include interviews, archival footage, and raw footage to give viewers a real-world perspective on the subject matter.
In contrast, biographical films—also known as biopics—are dramatized interpretations of a person’s life. These films take creative liberties to tell the life story of a person, often highlighting key moments, struggles, or achievements. While based on real events, biographical films are more focused on entertainment and may not always stick to the facts. They take historical events and present them in a narrative format, complete with actors, scripts, and dramatic interpretations of the subject’s life.
Structure and Style: Non-Fiction vs. Fictionalized Storytelling
Documentaries are grounded in reality and typically adhere to a non-fictional format. They often feature interviews, expert opinions, photographs, archival footage, and real-life events that give the audience an authentic portrayal of the subject. Documentaries may take various forms, from investigative reports to observational or participatory styles. The key here is that the content is focused on delivering factual information and real experiences, without embellishment.
Biographical films, on the other hand, are fictionalized accounts of real lives. While they may be based on true events, biographical films are usually scripted and dramatized to create a compelling narrative. This often involves condensing timelines, changing details, and focusing on specific events to create an engaging storyline. In biographical films, real-life characters are portrayed by actors, and the film follows a traditional narrative structure, which may include elements like rising action, climax, and resolution.
For example, Schindler’s List (1993), a biographical film about Oskar Schindler, dramatizes his actions during the Holocaust but also sticks closely to the historical details. On the other hand, The Social Network (2010) dramatizes the creation of Facebook, but with added fictional elements for dramatic effect.
Creative Liberties: Fact vs. Fiction
Biographical films are known for taking creative liberties with the facts, often fictionalizing or embellishing events to suit the dramatic needs of the story. This means that certain events may be altered, compressed, or even invented for the sake of narrative flow or emotional impact. Filmmakers typically aim to capture the essence of the subject’s life rather than adhering strictly to historical accuracy.
In contrast, documentaries aim to present an objective, fact-based account of the subject. While documentaries may sometimes be edited to present a specific perspective, their main goal is to stay true to the facts. Documentaries often include real interviews with people who were directly involved with the subject, and they rely on actual footage or photographs to build their story. The information presented in documentaries is expected to be as factual as possible, without much alteration or dramatization.
For instance, in The Last Dance (2020), a documentary about Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, the filmmakers use archival footage and interviews to give viewers an inside look at Jordan’s career and the team’s success. There are no fictionalized elements or dramatic retellings of Jordan’s life, unlike in the biographical film Space Jam (1996), where Jordan’s story is fictionalized in the context of a family-friendly fantasy.
Audience and Impact: Educational vs. Entertainment
The audience’s expectations differ significantly when it comes to documentaries and biographical films. Documentaries typically attract viewers who are seeking to learn about a subject in depth. Whether the documentary focuses on social issues, political events, or individual lives, the goal is often educational. Documentaries aim to inform, provoke thought, and encourage the audience to reflect on the issues or people featured in the film.
Biographical films, on the other hand, are designed to entertain and emotionally engage the audience. While they may contain factual information, they are primarily driven by storytelling and character development. These films are often more dramatic and are intended to draw viewers into a fictionalized world, even when the subject matter is based on real events. The goal is to create an engaging and entertaining narrative, which can inspire, entertain, or motivate.
For example, The Theory of Everything (2014), a biographical film about physicist Stephen Hawking, portrays his life in a way that is meant to inspire and engage viewers emotionally, while Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (2018), a documentary about Fred Rogers, focuses on educating the audience about his life and the impact he had on children’s television.
Conclusion: Distinctive Storytelling Formats
In conclusion, while both documentaries and biographical films offer insights into real people or events, they do so in fundamentally different ways. Documentaries provide a factual, non-fictional account of real-life subjects, focusing on education and awareness. Biographical films, however, use dramatization and creative storytelling to bring a person’s life to the screen, often prioritizing emotional impact over strict adherence to facts.
Ultimately, the choice between watching a documentary or a biographical film depends on what the audience seeks—whether they want a factual, informative experience or an emotionally engaging, fictionalized portrayal of a real person’s life. Both formats have their place in the world of cinema, offering different perspectives on the human experience.
