| dc.description.abstract | This dissertation focuses on the work of Noah Baumbach over the last 20 years, concentrating on
his use of aesthetic and sociological techniques. In order to fully appreciate his work, it is
necessary to look back at those directors who have inspired his films. Firstly, I will look at the
filmmakers’ use of New York City as a backdrop and a central character. In particular, I will focus
on directors Martin Scorsese (Mean Streets (1973) and Taxi Driver (1976), John Cassavetes
(Shadows (1959), Faces (1968) and Woody Allen (Manhattan (1979), Annie Hall (1977), analysing
their use of technology, dialogue and location. I will then examine their influence on director Noah
Baumbach (Frances Ha (2012), Mistress America (2015), as he incorporates ‘real life’ elements
into the majority of his narratives. In doing so, I will highlight the director’s union of past and
present film techniques, while exploring several contemporary practices found today. Author keywords: Youth, journey, adulthood, New York | en |
