It Wasn’t This Year’s Most Acclaimed Historical Film—But Napoleon Has Something to Teach Viewers
In a recent Made by History article, Professor Paula Leverage discusses the way historical epics that raise important questions about contemporary political trends, interests, and anxieties are often harshly judged instead for their devotion to event accuracy.
“If we take a step back and look at our place in history against the foil of another era, where are we now and where are we going? Is democracy being overshadowed by dictatorial rumblings? Are we in an empire in decline? Are we winning or losing, and against whom? Where do we identify violence and barbarism in our society? Do we have a voice and who is telling our story? Are we repeating the mistakes of history? How will future audiences experience our history on screen?”
Read Professor Leverage's full Made by History article at TIME.