Pötzsch, HolgerCarlsson, Ulla2014-11-212014-11-212011-11Nordicom Review 34 (2013) 1, pp. 125-144978-91-86523-29-91403-1108http://hdl.handle.net/2077/37462The present article provides an analysis of the narrative and technical devices through which contemporary war films frame audience engagement with characters. It compiles and sys - tematizes a wide set of empirical findings and exemplifies these through brief, illustrative readings of a selection of films. Combining Smith’s approach to film reception with insights from Laclau and Mouffe’s theory of discourse, the article argues for the significance of the identified audio-visual rhetoric for political discourse and practice.20 p.engwar filmcharacter engagementallegianceenemy framingcognitive theorysubject position theoryText