If the line between fact and fiction becomes too thin: popular series “based on true events” are not without risks.

Did you know that Oskar Schindler didn’t make his list himself? This is the conversation between Prince Charles and Prime Minister John Mayor on the Netflix series the crown For Queen Elizabeth’s abdication never happened? And that’s from Nate and Jean Daens Has he never been kissed? In fact, Nate and Jan weren’t there at all.

Fiction based on real events has been around for a long time. But with the advent of streaming services, this genre is more popular than ever. Recently there was a series This is England About Boris Johnson and the period he was hospitalized for Covid-19. No idea if what was said was true or made up. or zillion, where Frank Verstreiten’s sweetheart is suddenly Vanessa, not the former Miss Belgium you all know but want nothing more to do at the time. And each time it is not clear what is real and what is the component. That’s up to the viewer. Or to Dr. Google after the broadcast.

mask

exactly like 1985every Sunday evening on One Good to over a million viewers. A series about horror in the first half of the eighties. The murderous Nijvel gang that has taken over our country with theft, especially in Delhaize supermarkets. Many scenes are based on facts. Like the attack on Major Vernailen in the first episode – luckily he can still tell the story. The police officer who was shot dead in 1983 after a robbery of an arms dealer in Wafer has not returned.

But last Sunday evening, the line between fantasy and reality suddenly became very thin. The viewer saw the main character Frankie wearing a mask, after which he participated in the robbery of Delhaize in Braine-l’Alleud. Fictional character, Aimé Claeys plays a young cop working for Diane’s elite group, who takes part in a robbery that actually took place in Braine-l’Alleud on September 27, 1985. Three people were killed. Hence the viewer is given the impression that the gendarmerie must be behind the gang.

strong medium

For historian Bruno de Wever (UGent). 1985 Regular appointment Sunday evening for seven weeks. “I also stuck with this scene,” he says. “That was far-reaching. The line between fantasy and reality has become very thin. There, the creators of the series imply that Diane’s group committed the robberies. Or that’s what you’re left with as a viewer. Although it’s a theory, it’s a theory that I think has been ripped out of my mind.” Destiny. But there is one path that has been put forward as the truth. The filmmakers go too far in imagining the facts.”

Even someone who was very close to research in the 1980s is concerned. “I watch the series in awe every week. Those were tough years, yes. But now a lot of things are being pieced together. And the makers seem to be following a grand conspiracy theory. The danger is that people will start to believe it. Especially young people who didn’t live through the ’70s and ’80s. Television is a medium. Too powerful. And then it becomes dangerous to legal certainty in this country. This is about the credibility of institutions. Everyone gets dragged through it. Viewers will translate this into today. People believe what they see.”

Laugh into a fist

The investigating judge, Freddy Trosch, who was in charge of the file at the time, did not look into it. “I would be very upset. It is difficult for someone who is not familiar with the file to distinguish between fact and fiction. I have heard that the focus is on a certain conspiracy theory. People will take it as the truth. I notice it in spontaneous conversations.” Anonymous Ex-Investigator: “If destabilizing the state is the ultimate goal of the Nijvel cartel, the software makers are well on their way to succeeding at what the gang failed to do. I think the brains behind the gang are laughing quietly down their sleeves.”

Bruno de Wever is not against this type. “In every historical film there is a made-up romantic plot.” Otherwise, it would be a documentary. But this date is very close and very special. And no result to this day, which is what makes it so sensitive here. The proposal here is too far-reaching.”

Historian also doesn’t want rules for this kind of fantasy series. “The past belongs to no one. Let liberty exist, if necessary with attitudes wrested from fate as a consequence. It is a fiction, so it is proclaimed. Any form of criticism can be repelled by this.”

But he himself will approach the matter differently. I like to make sure people don’t know in the end. Left with questions. But maybe that will happen in the final episode. and sets makers 1985 One step back. So the viewer remains in the dark after the final episode. As it already is. As a historian, I hope so.”