Filmmakers often try to honor filmmakers before them in many ways. From the subtle inclusion of an Easter egg as a nod to a director colleague to imitating the style of a specific genre, filmmakers have always been aware of the cultural heritage.
Where most seem to draw the line (besides actually stealing someone’s work) is to plagiarize others’ work straight-up! However, that is not always an easy line to draw, as it often depends on the eye of the beholder.
For example, one critic might view Quentin Tarantino‘s movies as plagiarism, while another might view them as the pinnacle of postmodernistic homage.
This article does not intend to be such a discussion. Instead, I wanted to give an overview of how filmmakers honor those who came before them.
Each concept serves a different purpose in storytelling and can achieve various effects, from honoring a beloved work to critiquing societal norms through satire.
An Overview of Types of Artistic Interpretations in Movies. Definitions and Examples.
Below, you can see definitions and examples of the many artistic interpretations found in movies.
Adaptation: The process of adjusting a work from one medium to another, such as turning a novel into a film or a play into a television series. It often involves significant changes to fit the new medium.
Example Movies
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001): Based on the book by J.R.R. Tolkien.
The Shining (1980): Adapted from Stephen King’s novel.
Blade Runner (1982): Adapted from Philip K. Dick’s novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?”
Sin City (2005): Adapted from Frank Miller’s comics.
Burlesque: A literary, dramatic, or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects. Modern burlesque is often associated with performances that combine parody, satire, and striptease. It’s theatrical and is about both entertainment and subversive commentary.
Example Movies
Burlesque (2010): While more about the art of burlesque, it contains elements of parody and exaggeration typical of the genre.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975): A musical that parodies science fiction and horror films through a burlesque lens.
Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993): A burlesque-style parody of the traditional Robin Hood story and previous adaptations.
Fan Fiction: Works created by fans of a particular work or series, using its characters or settings. It’s a way for fans to expand on the original narrative, often not for profit.
Example Movies
Fifty Shades of Grey (2015): Originally written as fan fiction based on the Twilight series.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016): A film based on a novel that is essentially fan fiction, blending Jane Austen’s classic with zombie fiction.
Star Trek: Of Gods and Men (2007): A non-official fan film featuring characters from the Star Trek universe.
Homage: An honor or respectful acknowledgment of another’s work or style, often seen in film and literature, where elements are used to respect the original creator.
Example Movies
Kill Bill (2003): Quentin Tarantino’s film pays homage to martial arts films, spaghetti Westerns, and samurai cinema.
Super 8 (2011): J.J. Abrams’ movie is an homage to the early works of Steven Spielberg, capturing the feel of 1980s adventure films.
The Artist (2011): This film is an homage to silent films and the early days of Hollywood.
Imitation: A form of flattery where one mimics or replicates another work, often to learn from it or to attempt to achieve a similar level of proficiency.
Example Movies
The Force Awakens (2015): Often criticized and also praised as an imitation of the original Star Wars films.
The Magnificent Seven (1960): An American Western styled after Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai.
A Bug’s Life (1998): Said to imitate Three Amigos and Seven Samurai, but set with insects.
Parody/Spoof: A humorous or satirical imitation of a serious piece of literature or film intended to ridicule the original work or its style/genre.
Example Movies
Spaceballs (1987): Mel Brooks’ classic parody of the Star Wars franchise and other space operas.
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997): A parody of 1960s spy films, particularly the James Bond series.
Scary Movie (2000): This movie spoofs the horror, slasher, and mystery film genres, especially films like Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer.
Hot Shots! (1991): A parody of action and war films, particularly Top Gun, Hot Shots! mocks the plots, characters, and effects seen in these genres.
Pastiche: A work that imitates the style or character of the work of one or more other artists. Unlike parody, pastiche celebrates, rather than mocks, the work it imitates.
Example Movies
Shaun of the Dead (2004): A pastiche that blends elements of romantic comedies and zombie horror films.
Blade Runner (1982): Ridley Scott’s film is a pastiche combining film noir and science fiction elements, creating a highly influential visual style.
Sin City (2005): Directed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller, this film is a pastiche of film noir, using a visual style that mimics the graphic novels from which it was adapted.
Plagiarism: The practice of taking someone else’s work or ideas and passing them off as one’s own without proper acknowledgment.
Example Movies
The Truman Show (1998) vs. Netherland Television Show: Although not a direct case of plagiarism, there were controversies about similarities to a 1993 episode of a Dutch television show.
Disturbia (2007) vs. Rear Window: It was accused of being a modern retelling without proper rights or credits, leading to lawsuits.
Coming to America (1988) vs. Art Buchwald’s Script: Buchwald sued the producers for plagiarizing his script idea; the court ruled in his favor.
Tribute: This is similar to homage, but it is usually more direct and explicit in acknowledging the influence or importance of the original work or its creator.
Example Movies
Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (2018): A documentary tribute to Fred Rogers and his influential television show.
Stan & Ollie (2018): A biographical comedy-drama that serves as a tribute to the famous comedy duo Laurel and Hardy.
Bohemian Rhapsody (2018): A biographical film that pays tribute to the band Queen and its lead singer Freddie Mercury.
Closing Thoughts
I hope you found this overview of artistic interpretations useful. Each term shares a common thread of referencing or being inspired by existing works but has unique purposes and connotations.
Like many within the music business, some choose to go to court over questions like this and have the lawyers decide what art is.
I find this ridiculous!
Unless we’re talking about someone stealing someone else’s movie and selling it as their own, a courtroom should be the last place to decide what art is and isn’t.
Remember, we’re all standing on the shoulders of giants, and every story has been told. But you can always add your unique voice to the choir.
Up Next: What is Allusion?
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