PUB - Publikationen an der Universität Bielefeld

The thesis exemplarily examines the filmic processing of the impression of a crisis of (white) masculinity that is now commonly discussed in both populist and academic environments and discourses. The paper compares the two movies Taxi Driver and Falling Down in their representation of their protagonists' struggle in delivering a convincingly masculine performance of identity in the postmodern US-American urban by investigating the films' narrative structures and filmic techniques. Furthermore, both visuals are critically examined as instruments to reflect, debunk, and reinforce dominant ideology, having a direct effect on contemporary culture.