In light of recent debates on post-truth politics within a discourse of populism, and a socio-political American zeitgeist of uncertainty and ambiguity, questions arise considering the recent...Show moreIn light of recent debates on post-truth politics within a discourse of populism, and a socio-political American zeitgeist of uncertainty and ambiguity, questions arise considering the recent dramatic interpretations of this socio-political atmosphere. In an attempt to highlight the complex nexus between visual culture and politics, this thesis examines this intersection between culture and politics using the American political climate as a case study of a larger global political trend of democracy fatigue, post-truth politics, and populist discourses. This thesis sheds light on the hopeful and critical postmodern dramatic storytelling that illustrates the importance of critical drama within a contemporary post-truth American socio-political sphere. As there has been a longstanding academic focus on the authoritative accounts in cinema and television, particularly in a post 9/11 context, this study embraces a discourse analysis that is concerned with how such accounts are ‘contested’. Drawing on a postmodern theoretical framework and HBO’s The Night Of, this thesis offers a fresh analysis of post-truth politics and the ability of visual culture to present and highlight a disillusionment with political currents.Show less
