Was fantasy entertainment an influence on the toxic landscape that has been fertile ground for the alt-right? For the Dutch Media Week (3-11 October), IMPAKT organises a special evening on 6 October with talks, screenings and debates to explore the ideological influence of fantasy entertainment. Dr Dan Hassler Forest and Dr Linda Duits (both Media and Culture Studies) join the discussion on Toxic Geek Masculinity.
Challenging fantasy
Fantasy holds a strange but enduring fascination. With its depiction of a fictional, medieval-like past with often more ‘traditional’ gender roles, a marginalisation of people of color, heavily leaning on white saviour narratives and an escapist nostalgia for a more authentic life, it creates a troubling contrast to our changing world that particularly challenges the predetermined authority of white men.
Fantasy vs. reality
Clearly, digital fan culture has been shaped by these nostalgic fantasy stories, which have been echoed by the ideological programmes of the alt-right. Now that a new post-truth style of politics is blurring the lines between fantasy and reality, we have to critically rethink the role of archetypes and tropes in 21st century fantasy.
Toxic Geen Masculinity is a real-life event at the Institute for Sound and Vision in Hilversum. You can also follow and participate to the discussion via live stream.
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Attendance is free, but registration is required through this registration form.
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