In recent times, the rise of personalised narratives has overshadowed the age-old tradition of novels with fictionalised elements. Autofiction, which exists in a liminal space between fiction and nonfiction, provides a distinctive viewpoint that fosters contemporary realism and subjectivity. This trend has also influenced biopics, which now favour more nuanced and subjective storytelling. Modern audiences, captivated by personal truths and the intricacies of human life, find both self-portrayal and biopics appealing as they merge reality with narrative artifice. This paper examines how the current trend of self-narration and autofiction intersects with the cinematic depiction of the lives of twentieth-century avant-garde artists. The study delves into the ways in which these particular biopics incorporate autofictional elements to craft stories that align with contemporary patterns of self-narrative. The study tackles questions of representation, authenticity, honesty, and the commodification of artists’ lives by concentrating on the biopics of T.S. Eliot, Virginia Woolf, and Pablo Picasso: Chanya Burton’s Vita and Virginia (2018), James Ivory’s Surviving Picasso (1996), and Brian Gilbert’s Tom and Viv (1994). By using French academic Philippe Lejeune’s concept of “autobiographical pact,” Mieke Bal’s concept of narratology, and Stuart Hall’s theories of representation and identity, the paper elucidates how the directors situated the personal and cultural identities of Eliot, Picasso, and Virginia Woolf within their respective historical and cultural contexts. Through this investigation, the paper highlights the enduring influence of the avant-garde, emphasizing the distinctive storytelling, historical backdrop, and interdisciplinary nature of these personalities.

Authors:
Manojit Chanda, The English and Foreign Languages University, India

About the Presenter(s)
Manojit Chanda is a doctoral candidate in the Department of English Literature at The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad. He is working on literary biopics.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/manojit-chanda-368491247/

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