male ego and vanity

His films like 8½ and La Dolce Vita dissect masculine narcissism and the performative nature of male identity through surreal, introspective narratives.

Works such as There Will Be Blood and Boogie Nights explore destructive male ambition, competitive ego, and the corrupting power of masculine pride.

His films deconstruct toxic masculinity and male vanity through provocative power dynamics, particularly in works like Ali: Fear Eats the Soul and Querelle.