The discrepancy between patriarchy’s prohibition of homosocial affection and its tendency to produce homo-social institutions like all-male sports teams or military is striking. While the new millenium has seen several representations and filmic negotiations of this force field, few films have focussed as much on exactly this combination of — or conflict between — the male ego, attitude and camaraderie as the works written and directed by David Ayer. A glance at criticism of Ayer’s films supports this claim: While many call him a "macho helmer", Ayer is equally often recognized for his instinctive feel for male relationships, their language and intimacy.
This thesis will review David Ayer’s stories, screenplays and films focussing on masculine camaraderie, homosocial bonding and the relationships of its characters in an attempt to get a deeper sense of the ambivalence between machismo and male-male affection that seems to characterize Ayer’s projects.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Conceptual overview
- 2.1. Hegemonic masculinity
- 2.2. Hegemonic masculinity and homosocial camaraderie
- 2.3. Cinematic masculinity
- 2.4. Masculinity, genre and the “buddy formula”
- 2.4.1. The action-adventure genre
- 2.4.2. The police-drama
- 2.4.3. The war film
- 2.5. A first look at the intertextual relay and an updated research premise
- 3. Homosocial, masculine relationships in stories by writer David Ayer
- 3.1. Subordination in Training Day
- 3.2. Co-Dependence in Harsh Times
- 3.3. Equality in End of Watch
- 3.4. Competition and betrayal in Sabotage
- 3.5. Manipulation in Fury
- 3.6. Highlighting concepts of scripted masculinity
- 3.6.1. Macho posturing and macho banter
- 3.6.2. Tracing homosexuality
- 3.6.3. Women and home
- 3.7. Preliminary conclusion
- 4. Masculinity in montage and mise-en-scène by director David Ayer
- 4.1. Shooting and framing macho posturing and heroism
- 4.2. Music and scores between hip-hop and melodrama
- 4.3. Framing and juxtaposing friendship and marriage
- 4.4. Setting up "Ayer Land"
- 4.4.1. A masculine arena
- 4.4.2. Bonding in mobilized man-caves
- 4.4.3. Women - “inside” and “outside”
- 4.4.4. Living in war-zones
Objectives and Key Themes
This thesis aims to analyze the portrayal of masculine camaraderie and homosocial bonding in the works of David Ayer, exploring the complex interplay between machismo and male-male affection. It will examine how Ayer's narratives and cinematic techniques represent these themes.
- Hegemonic masculinity and its manifestations in Ayer's work.
- The tension between homosociality and machismo in Ayer's depiction of male relationships.
- The role of cinematic techniques in shaping the representation of masculinity.
- Genre conventions and their influence on the portrayal of male bonds.
- The depiction of women within the context of these masculine relationships.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the central theme of the thesis: the ambivalent portrayal of masculinity, specifically the complex interplay between machismo and homosocial intimacy in David Ayer's work. Using a scene from *Fury* as a starting point, the chapter highlights the tension between patriarchy's prohibition of homosocial affection and its simultaneous creation of homosocial institutions. It establishes Ayer as a filmmaker who uniquely explores this tension, often lauded for his depiction of male relationships while also being criticized for his "macho" style. The introduction clearly sets the stage for a comprehensive analysis of Ayer's films and their representation of masculinity.
2. Conceptual overview: This chapter lays the theoretical groundwork for the analysis. It defines hegemonic masculinity according to Connell's work, emphasizing its performative nature and its role in maintaining patriarchal structures. The chapter connects this concept to homosociality, highlighting the inherent conflict between the two. It then discusses the representation of masculinity in cinema and the "buddy formula" across different genres, providing a framework for understanding the complexities of male relationships on screen.
3. Homosocial, masculine relationships in stories by writer David Ayer: This chapter delves into a detailed analysis of the masculine relationships portrayed in various David Ayer projects. It examines specific examples from his films and screenplays, exploring the dynamics of subordination, co-dependence, equality, competition, and manipulation within these relationships. By analyzing the scripts and stories, this chapter provides rich examples of how Ayer uses his writing to shape and highlight various expressions of masculinity within male groups. Subsections on macho posturing, homosexuality, and the role of women further enrich the discussion of this chapter's central theme: how Ayer portrays masculine bonds and masculinity.
4. Masculinity in montage and mise-en-scène by director David Ayer: This chapter shifts focus from the narrative aspects to the cinematic techniques employed by Ayer to represent masculinity. It explores how shooting style, framing, music, and setting contribute to the overall portrayal of male characters and their relationships. The chapter examines how Ayer constructs a specific cinematic world ("Ayer Land") characterized by its masculine aesthetic and social dynamics, analyzing the director's visual language and its impact on the viewer's understanding of masculine relationships. Specific analysis of how women are visually placed and presented within these "Ayer Land" spaces supports the analysis of the power dynamics inherent in Ayer's masculine spaces.
Keywords
Hegemonic masculinity, homosociality, machismo, male camaraderie, cinematic masculinity, David Ayer, buddy films, genre conventions, film analysis, gender studies, patriarchy.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Masculine Camaraderie and Homosocial Bonding in the Works of David Ayer
What is the main topic of this text?
This text is a comprehensive analysis of the portrayal of masculine camaraderie and homosocial bonding in the films and screenplays of director and writer David Ayer. It examines how Ayer uses narrative and cinematic techniques to represent these themes, exploring the complex interplay between machismo and male-male affection.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
The analysis focuses on several key themes: hegemonic masculinity and its manifestations in Ayer's work; the tension between homosociality and machismo in his depiction of male relationships; the role of cinematic techniques (mise-en-scène, montage, music) in shaping the representation of masculinity; genre conventions and their influence on the portrayal of male bonds; and the depiction of women within the context of these masculine relationships.
What theoretical framework is used in the analysis?
The analysis utilizes Connell's concept of hegemonic masculinity, understanding it as a performative aspect of patriarchal structures. This framework helps to analyze the inherent conflict between homosociality (male bonding) and the dominant, often aggressive, expressions of masculinity in Ayer's work.
Which films and screenplays of David Ayer are analyzed?
The analysis draws upon several of David Ayer's projects, including (but not limited to) Training Day, Harsh Times, End of Watch, Sabotage, and Fury. The analysis examines specific scenes and narrative elements to illustrate the themes under discussion.
How does the analysis approach the topic of masculinity?
The analysis takes a multifaceted approach, exploring both the narrative aspects (storylines, character interactions, dialogue) and the cinematic techniques (camera angles, editing, music, setting) used by Ayer to represent masculinity. It examines how these elements contribute to the overall portrayal of male characters and their relationships.
What is the "buddy formula" and how does it relate to Ayer's work?
The "buddy formula" refers to a common trope in certain genres (action-adventure, police dramas, war films) where male protagonists form a close bond, often characterized by both cooperation and conflict. The analysis examines how Ayer utilizes and subverts this formula in his own work.
How are women represented in Ayer's films according to this analysis?
The analysis pays close attention to the representation of women in Ayer's work, examining their positioning within the context of the dominant masculine relationships. The analysis explores how their presence (or absence) contributes to the power dynamics and overall portrayal of masculinity.
What is "Ayer Land" and how is it relevant to the analysis?
"Ayer Land" is a term used to describe the specific cinematic world created by David Ayer, characterized by its masculine aesthetic, social dynamics, and often violent settings. The analysis explores how Ayer uses visual language to construct this world and how it shapes the viewer's understanding of masculine relationships.
What are the main conclusions of the analysis?
The analysis aims to demonstrate the complex and often ambivalent portrayal of masculinity in David Ayer's work, highlighting the interplay between machismo and homosocial intimacy. It examines how Ayer uses both narrative and cinematic techniques to explore this tension, creating nuanced and often contradictory representations of male bonds.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
Key words include: Hegemonic masculinity, homosociality, machismo, male camaraderie, cinematic masculinity, David Ayer, buddy films, genre conventions, film analysis, gender studies, patriarchy.
- Quote paper
- Matthias Kreuter (Author), 2017, Concepts of Masculine Camaraderie in Films and Screenplays by David Ayer, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/424273
