Monkey Man, Dev Patel's directorial debut, is a unique take on the action genre. But is Monkey Man a true story or a work of fiction?
What Is Monkey Man All About?
Monkey Man follows Kid, a young man who makes a living through illegal combats under the pseudonym "Monkey Man."
In the movie's trailer, Kid narrates a story his mother told him that evidently informed his perception of what he later experienced in real life.
His mother's story was about a white monkey, a hero protector who saved the land from the demon king and his army.
As we found out, Kid's mother was killed, and his purpose in life is to take revenge against the corrupt leaders who brutally murdered her.
So, Is Monkey Man Based on True Events? Here's What We Think
As of writing, the Monkey Man producing team hasn't confirmed whether the movie is based on true events, so we can assume that this is not the case.
This is not to say that it can't have been inspired by real-life situations and inequalities.
As director, producer, and main actor Dev Patel mentioned:
"The action genre has sometimes been abused by the system. I wanted to give it real soul, real trauma, real pain and you guys deserve that. And I wanted to infuse it with a little bit of culture.”
Patel's expressed intentions suggest that while Monkey Man might be a work of fiction, it's meant to feel real and raw.
What is more, Patel aspired to create an action film that showcases what Indian culture has to offer, in which young viewers of Indian dissent can see themselves as protagonists, not only sidekicks.
Moreover, the 33-year-old director has confirmed that the story of Monkey Man was partly inspired by the legend of Hanuman, the monkey commander whose story is told in the epic poem Ramayana.
Despite its similar name, the movie is in no way related to the "Monkey-man of Delhi," a 2001 case of mass hysteria whereby several people reported being injured by a monkey-like creature.
Will you be watching Monkey Man? Let us know in the comments!
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