Avner Faingulernt | Sapir Academic College (2025)

AbstractIn this work, I aim to examine the 'figure of the father' within the context of the Eur... more Abstract

In this work, I aim to examine the 'figure of the father' within the context of the European Journey Films and within my own journey film. Through the analysis of these films, I aim to deconstruct the archaic myth of contemporary manhood that has its roots in the story of Odysseus.
There are two main research methods used in this thesis. The first is the Lacanian – Zizekian interpretation, utilised to analyse narratives and characters. The second is a Deleuzian – Frampton reading that concentrates on the cinematic language and form, that examines the effect on the viewer.
There are seven chapters in this thesis, besides the Introduction. Chapter 1 maps out and creates the research surface. Chapter 2 applies a Lacanian interpretation and its background. Chapter 3 adopts a Deleuzian interpretation, and describes how this theory can be used to read the effect on the viewers’ perception. Chapter 4 deals with the Odyssey. Here I draw on this ancient myth as a reference to the archetypal figure of a father in the European culture. Chapter 5 is engaged with fathers who try to return to their homes, like Odysseus, but as opposed to him they fail. Three main films are analysed in this part: The Return (Zvyagintsev 2003), Paris Texas (Wenders 1985), and Voyage to Cythera (Angelopoulos 1984 ). Chapter 6 concentrates on the wandering fathers who leave home in an attempt to find significant meaning to their life. Three main films are analysed in this part: The Bee Keeper (Angelopoulos, 1986), The Passenger (Antonioni, 1975), and Nostalgia (Tarkovsky, 1983). Chapter 7 analyses my own journey film, Brazilian Diary, that currently is a work in progress. It is a journey of both wandering and an attempt to return home from a personal journey that follows the footsteps of my father.
This thesis attempts to look beneath the surface of the iconic image of the father and views these heroes, who seem initially to be failures, as an alternative hope towards a manhood that may do less and observe more; one with a tendency to learn and find the strength in "weakness", and display more compassion in this world.
I regard this thesis as a contribution primarily within the field of film. This analysis utilizes two different methods, and the cultural issues raised within this work sheds a new look at the place of father/manhood in modern society.

AbstractIn this work, I aim to examine the 'figure of the father' within the context of the Eur... more Abstract

In this work, I aim to examine the 'figure of the father' within the context of the European Journey Films and within my own journey film. Through the analysis of these films, I aim to deconstruct the archaic myth of contemporary manhood that has its roots in the story of Odysseus.
There are two main research methods used in this thesis. The first is the Lacanian – Zizekian interpretation, utilised to analyse narratives and characters. The second is a Deleuzian – Frampton reading that concentrates on the cinematic language and form, that examines the effect on the viewer.
There are seven chapters in this thesis, besides the Introduction. Chapter 1 maps out and creates the research surface. Chapter 2 applies a Lacanian interpretation and its background. Chapter 3 adopts a Deleuzian interpretation, and describes how this theory can be used to read the effect on the viewers’ perception. Chapter 4 deals with the Odyssey. Here I draw on this ancient myth as a reference to the archetypal figure of a father in the European culture. Chapter 5 is engaged with fathers who try to return to their homes, like Odysseus, but as opposed to him they fail. Three main films are analysed in this part: The Return (Zvyagintsev 2003), Paris Texas (Wenders 1985), and Voyage to Cythera (Angelopoulos 1984 ). Chapter 6 concentrates on the wandering fathers who leave home in an attempt to find significant meaning to their life. Three main films are analysed in this part: The Bee Keeper (Angelopoulos, 1986), The Passenger (Antonioni, 1975), and Nostalgia (Tarkovsky, 1983). Chapter 7 analyses my own journey film, Brazilian Diary, that currently is a work in progress. It is a journey of both wandering and an attempt to return home from a personal journey that follows the footsteps of my father.
This thesis attempts to look beneath the surface of the iconic image of the father and views these heroes, who seem initially to be failures, as an alternative hope towards a manhood that may do less and observe more; one with a tendency to learn and find the strength in "weakness", and display more compassion in this world.
I regard this thesis as a contribution primarily within the field of film. This analysis utilizes two different methods, and the cultural issues raised within this work sheds a new look at the place of father/manhood in modern society.