Our Lies Agreed Upon in this episode are: First, that a familiar, timeless story that reinforces who we think we are must be true. Second, that history is there to reassure and uplift, not to challenge, or make us uncomfortable. And third, that there is only one history - a stable truth that sits outside of time, prejudice, and self-interest. We explore how Hollywood represents the traumatic past in the wake of a more recent trauma - 9/11. The films discussed are Bloody Sunday (2002), The Alamo (2004), and 12 Years A Slave (2013).

Lia Paradis is a professor of history at Slippery Rock University. Brian Crim is a professor of history at the University of Lynchburg. For more on Lies Agreed Upon, go here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices