'True Story': A disgraced journalist meets the accused killer who stole his identity

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Podcasts Take Two

Apr 15, 2015

Listen • 7:45

'True Story': A disgraced journalist meets the accused killer who stole his identity

Back in 2002, journalist Michael Finkel was at the lowest point in his career. He'd recently been fired by The New York Times Magazine for creating a composite character for a story about modern-day slavery in Africa.

DF-04176_R (L-R) Jonah Hill as "Mike Finkel" and James Franco as "Christian Longo" in TRUE STORY.

Back in 2002, journalist Michael Finkel was at the lowest point in his career. He'd recently been fired by The New York Times Magazine for creating a composite character for a story about modern-day slavery in Africa.

Back in 2002, journalist Michael Finkel was at the lowest point in his career.

He'd recently been fired by The New York Times Magazine for creating a composite character for a story about modern-day slavery in Africa. Soon after, accused murderer Christain Longo fled to Mexico and assumed Finkel's name.

Finkel began a conversation with Longo, met him, and wrote about his experience in his 2005 memoir "True Story."

The film version of Finkel's memoir (starring Jonah Hill and James Franco) is out this week. Finkel joined Take Two to share the story behind the film.