Erlaubt der Himmel, dass Angst die Seele aufisst : eine Untersuchung des Einflusses von Douglas Sirk auf Rainer Werner Fassbinder

by 1974- Wilker, Berit

The aim of this thesis is to provide an insight into the supposed influence American filmmaking had on the German one during the 1970s. A short overview of the situation of the German film industry after World War II and its takeover by Hollywood forms the basis of my analysis. Subsequent chapters will focus respectively on the characterization of the prototypical New German Cinema director Rainer Werner Fassbinder and the German expatriate Hollywood director Douglas Sirk. In order to discuss their similarities in technique, style and ideology I will utilize a theoretical framework regarding the concept of influence. The final part of the thesis is devoted to a close reading of two melodramas by these directors to substantiate my claims.