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. 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.

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. 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.

Introduction

• Gender as a Category of Analysis
• Film and Society
• Austrian Cinema – a National Cinema?

Chapter 1. Popular Cinema and Society

• Austrian Cinema and the Audience
• A Matter of Taste: The Popularity of Cinema in Post-war Austria
• The Austrian Film Industry
• Post-war Austrian Cinema and the Allied Forces
• Class, Gender, National Identity and Other Issues of Major Concern

Chapter 2. The Historical Costume Film

• The Popular Appeal of Historical Costume Films
• Films Set in the Era of Metternich
• Films Set in the Era of Kaiser Franz Joseph
• Cinematic Recycling of Austria’s Multi-ethnic Past
• Conclusion

Chapter 3. Heimatfilm

• The Heimatfilm as a Genre and the Meaning of Heimat
• Visual Style and Narrative Themes
• It’s a Man’s World: Gender Norms in Austrian Heimatfilm
• Gendered Space: Nature and Masculinity
• Conclusion

Chapter 4. Tourist Film

• The Attraction of Tourist Film
• Travelling towards a Better Future
• From Pragmatism to Romance: Changing Views on Marriage
• The Road to Happiness – Key Themes in Tourist Film
• The Heterosexual Norm and Alternative Masculinities
• Conclusion

Chapter 5. Comedy

• The Attraction of Comedy
• Visual Style and the Object of Humour
• Mistaken Identities and the Chance of a New Beginning
• Conflicted Gender Relations and Female Rebellion
• Modernising Masculinity: In Search of a New Father
• Conclusion

Conclusion

Bibliography and Sources
Filmography
Index