Homemade men in postwar Austrian cinema : nationhood, genre and masculinity

Despite the massive influx of Hollywood movies and films from other European countries after World War II, Austrian film continued to be hugely popular with Austrian and German audiences. By examining the decisive role that popular cinema played in the turbulent post-war era, this book provides unique insights into the reconstruction of a disrupted society. Issues of masculinity and national identity were particularly pressing, either because they had come under severe pressure, as was the case with masculinity, or had to be newly formulated and asserted in order to guarantee Austria's national independence; they provide the lens through which Austrian cinema is examined. Through detailed analysis of the stylistic patterns, narratives, and major themes of four popular genres of the time, costume film, Heimatfilm, tourist film, and comedy, the book explains how popular cinema helped to shape national identity, smoothed conflicted gender relations and relieved the Austrians from the burden of the Nazi past through celebrating the harmonious, charming, musical Austrian man.