I.Background Information
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals,in part or in whole,with information or events that are not factual,but rather,imaginary and theoretical—that is,invented by the author.Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work,it may also refer to theatrical,cinematic,or musical work.Fiction contrasts with non⁃fiction,which deals exclusively with factual（or,at least,assumed factual）events,descriptions,observations,etc.
Realistic fiction,although untrue,could actually happen.Some events,the people,and the places may even be real.It can be possible that in the future imagined events could physically happen.For example,Jules Verne's novel From the Earth to the Moon was proven possible in 1969,when Neil Armstrong landed on the Moon.
Non⁃realistic fiction is that in which the story's events could not happen in real life,which involve an alternate form of history of mankind other than that recorded,or need impossible technology.A good deal of fiction books are like this,including works by Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland,J.K.Rowling's Harry Potter,and J.R.R.Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.
Traditionally,fiction includes novels,short stories,fables,fairy tales,plays,poetry,but it now also encompasses films,comic books,and video games.
Although fiction may be viewed as a form of entertainment,it has other uses.Fiction has been used for instructional purposes,such as fictional examples used in school textbooks.It may be used in propaganda and advertising.Although they are not necessarily targeted at children,fables offer an explicit moral goal.
A whole branch of literature crossing entertainment and science speculation is science fiction.A less common similar cross is the philosophical fiction hybridizing fiction and philosophy,thereby often crossing the border towards propaganda fiction.These kinds of fictions constitute thought experiments exploring consequences of certain technologies or philosophies.
The name“film”originates from the fact that photographic film has historically been the medium for recording and displaying motion pictures.Many other terms exist for an individual motion picture,including picture,picture show,moving picture,photoplay.The most common term in the United States is movie,while in Europe film is preferred.
Films are cultural artifacts created by specific cultures.They reflect those cultures,and,in turn,affect them.Film is considered to be an important art form,a source of popular entertainment,and a powerful medium for educating citizens.The visual basis of film gives it a universal power of communication.Some films have become popular worldwide attractions by using dubbing or subtitles to translate the dialogue into the language of the viewer.
Although the words“film”and“movie”are sometimes used interchangeably,“film”is more often used when considering artistic,theoretical,or technical aspects,as studies in a university class and“movies”more often refers to entertainment or commercial aspects,as where to go for fun on a date.For example,a book titled How to Read a Film would be about the aesthetics or theory of film,while Lets Go to the Movies would be about the history of entertaining movies.
Expressions for genres of film are sometimes used interchangeably for“film”in a specific context,such as a“porn”for a film with explicit sexual content,or“cheese”for films that are light,entertaining and not highbrow.
A film may also have a“sequel”,which portrays events following those in the film.Bride of Frankenstein is an early example.When there are a number of films with the same characters,we have a“series”,such as the James Bond series.A film which portrays events that occur earlier than those in another film,but is released after that film,is sometimes called a“prequel”,an example being Butch and Sundance:The Early Days.