 In Paul Russell's "Boys of Life", descriptions of movies by director/antihero Carlos (loosely inspired by controversial director Pier Paolo Pasolini) provide a narrative counterpoint and add a touch of surrealism to the main narrative.They additionally raise the question of whether works of artistic genius justify or atone for the sins and crimes of their creators.This dramatic device was probably first used by Thomas Kyd in "The Spanish Tragedy" around 1587, where the play is presented before an audience of two of the characters, who comment upon the action.