Summaries

Synopsis

It's tempting to believe that our present age of fake news and alternative facts is unique and unprecedented. But it's not. Since the dawn of civilization, people in power have played with the truth, danced with deception, and altered reality to suit their interests - often with the help of propaganda and disinformation. TRUTH & LIES is an ambitious new documentary series that unearths the most dramatic present-day and historical examples of facts being bent, twisted and reshaped as a means of achieving influence and control.Through the insights of experts, thought leaders and journalists, TRUTH & LIES unpacksall the gory details of history's greatest deceits-from kings and pharaohs leading their people into false wars, to the brutal witch hunts of the 17th century, to scandalous corruption and intrigue in the name of money and power, to the wild conspiracy theories, wiretapping and forgeries of modern times.The tools used to spread lies might have changed over time-as word of mouth and ancient engravings give way to the printing press, television, the internet and social media-but theconsequences are just as dramatic.Visually, the series puts forth a potent mix of graphic novel-style animation to reconstruct past events, a rich tapestry of period and contemporary archives, as well as dynamic present-day doc scenes and interviews, shot in the actual settings and milieus where history unfolded.Through it all, viewers are whisked away, across the ages, on amazing and unexpected journeys, where TRUTH & LIES are but inches apart-sometimes seemingly inseparable.