Course Syllabus
Scandinavian Moods in Cinema |
Light in the Dusk (Aki Kaurismäki, Finland, 2006)
| Semester & Location: |
Spring 2020 - DIS Copenhagen |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 3 credits |
| Major Disciplines: |
Film Studies, Media Studies, Communication |
| Faculty Member: |
Morten Egholm |
| Program Coordinator: |
Katrine Trolle - ktr@dis.dk |
| Time & Place: |
Mondays & Thursdays 11.40-13.00 Location: The DIS Movie Theater in V23 |
Instructor: Morten Egholm
Ph. D., Film Studies, University of Copenhagen, 2009. Cand. mag., Scandinavian Studies, Film and Media Theory, University of Copenhagen, 1997. Associate professor in Danish Language, Literature and Culture, University of Groningen, The Netherlands, 2002-2006. Has written several articles in Danish, English and Dutch on film history, Danish literature, Danish theatre, and Danish and American TV series. Editor of the film journal Kosmorama 2010-2015. With DIS since 2008, since January 2012 as full time faculty.
Tel. 60 81 40 71
Office hours: Thursdays, 1.15-3.00 pm in Room V10-B12.
Course Content
A study of contemporary films from the Nordic countries (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland). The focus will be on most important themes (and how these are reflected in modern Nordic societies), visual style, and narration strategies.
Learning Objectives
Students taking this class will:
- Develop an appreciation and understanding of major themes, narration strategies and sense of visual style in older and contemporary films from the Nordic countries
- Be able to relate the course material to social issues and political discussions in the modern Nordic societies
- Produce an academic research paper demonstrating the ability to interpret and discuss contemporary Nordic film
Course Description
Considering the low amount of people living in the Nordic countries (approx. 25 mill.), it is quite impressive what an important role the countries have played in international film history. Swedish director Ingmar Bergman has had an enormous influence on the works of David Lynch, Alejandro G. Inárritu, and Woody Allen, while Danish director Carl Th. Dreyer has inspired important names such as Sergio Leone, Martin Scorsese, and Paul Schrader. The aesthetic and visual style of Danish director Lars von Trier and the Dogma 95 Movement can be found in several modern film classics, e.g. the Award winning Traffic (2000) and Saving Private Ryan (1999). Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki has been praised for his work at several important film festivals in Europe and the US, and has worked as an inspiration for American directors like Jim Jarmusch and Wes Anderson.
In the course we will – through analysis – identify the Nordic way of telling a story in film. Further, we will focus on typical themes and the special mood and atmosphere that characterize these films. Finally, we will analyse how the films reflect everyday mentality and the most relevant and discussed social issues in the modern Nordic societies.
We will analyse and compare Nordic films by directors such as Ingmar Bergman, Lars von Trier, Thomas Vinterberg, Joachim Trier, Aki Kaurismäki, Ruben Östlund, Bille August, Amanda Kernell, and others.
The emphasis will be on films with a specific notion of style, alternative thematic and aesthetic approaches, and films with cult potential. We will focus on six themes/narrative approaches:
I: Most important names and trends in Scandinavian film history (paying special attention to The Dogma 95 project, Lars von Trier, Roy Andersson, Ingmar Bergman, and Aki Kaurismäki).
II: National Identity in Scandinavian Cinema
III: Family adn Sexuality Matter
IV: Scandinavian Horror
V: Indigiounous Groups in Scandinavian Cinema
VI: Scandinavia goes HBO and Netflix
Melancholia (Lars von Trier, Denmark, 2011)
Method
The course will include lectures, discussions of films, required readings, and film viewings.
Each class will concentrate on one of the themes and will almost always include a related film viewing. The films are in the Nordic languages with English subtitles.
Classroom Etiquette
The use of distracting devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc.) is strictly prohibited during class. Failure to comply will adversely affect participation grades. Use of laptops for the purpose of note-taking requires prior consultation with the professor. Students should refrain from all other computer activities, as they prove distracting to themselves and fellow students. Mobile phones and other electronic devices should of course be turned off and stored away.
Reading List
Bacon, Henry (ed.): Finnish Cinema: A Transnational Enterprise. Palgrave McMilan, UK: 2016
Conolly, Jez & Caroline Whelan: World Film Locations: Reykjavik, Intellect: 2012
Cowie, Peter: Finnish Cinema, Tantivy Press: 1976
Cowie, Peter: Scandinavian Cinema, Tantivy Press: 1992
Egholm, Morten, Lars-Martin Sørensen & Lisbeth Richter Nielsen: Kosmorama, on line film journal with some articles in English, can be found on: http://www.kosmorama.org/
Forsyth, Hardy: Scandinavian Film, Falcon Press, 1952
Hjort, Mette & Ib Bondebjerg: Danish Directors, Intellect: 2001
Hjort, Mette: The Cinema of Small Nations, Indiana University Press: 2007
Hjort, Mette: Lone Scherfig’s Italian For Beginners, University of Washington Press: 2010
Hjort, Mette & Ib Bondebjerg: Danish Directors 3, Intellect: 2013
Hjort, Mette: A Companion to Nordic Film, Blackwell, 2016
Iversen, Gunnar, A. Söderbergh Widding & Tytti Soila: Nordic National Cinemas, Routledge: 1998
Jørholt, Eva, Mette Hjort & Eva Novrup Redvall: The Danish Directors 2. Dialogues on the New Danish
Fiction Cinema: Intellect, Bristol/Chicago: 2011
Koskenen, Maaret: Ingmar Bergman’s The Silence, University of Washington Press: 2010
Kääpä, Pietari: Finland – directory in world Cinema. Intellect: 2012
Kääpä, Pietrari: World Film Locations: Helsinki, Intellect: 2013
Kääpä, Pietari: From Nation-Building to Ecocosmopolitanism, Bloomsburry, 2014
Kääpä, Pietari: Ecology and Contemporary Nordic Cinema, Bloomsburry, 2014
Kääpä, Pietari & Tommy Gustafsson (ed.): Nordic Genre Film: Small Nation Film Cultures in the Global Market Place, Edinburgh University Pres: 2015
Larsson, Mariah & Anders Marklund: Swedish Cinema – An Introduction and a Reader: 2010
Lindqvist, Ursula: Roy Andersson’s Songs From The Second Floor, University of Washington Press, 2016
Nestingen, Andrew (ed.): In Search of Aki Kaurismäki. Aesthetics and Contexts, Special Issue of The Journal of Finnish Studies, Volume 8, number 2, December 2004
Nestingen, Andrew & Trevor G. Elkington (red.): Transnational Cinema in a Global North, Wayne
State University Press: 2005
Nordfjord, Björn: Dagur Kari’s Noi Albinoi, University of Washington Press: 2010
Nørrested, Carl: Greenland on Film. Amongst Eskimos, Adventurers, Colonisers, and Etnographers, North: 2011
Rombes, Nicholas: New Punk Cinema, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 2005
Shargel, Raphael: Ingmar Bergman Interviews, University Press of Mississippi: 2007
Shriverrice, Meryl: Inclusion in New Danish Cinema: Sexuality and Transnational Belonging, Intellect: 2015
Soila Tytti (ed.): The Cinema of Scandinavia, Wallflower: 2005
Sundholm, John, Isak Thorsen, Lars Gustaf Andersson and others: Historical Dictionary of Scandinavian
Cinema, The Scarecrow Press: 2012
Thomphson, Clair C. (ed.): Northern Contellations: New Readings in Nordic Cinema, Intellect: 2006
Thomphson, Clair C.: Thomas VInterberg’s The Celebration, Unviersity of Washington Press: 2014
Tucker, John (ed.): Scandinavian-Canadian Studies, Volume 19, University of Victoria: 2010
Journal of Scandinavian Cinema (2010-). All issues can be found at the DIS Library.
Evaluation
| Assignment |
Percent |
|
|
|
|
Research Paper |
50% |
| Class Participation (including Film Screening info tests and work sheets after March, 11) |
50% |
Midterm & Final
The tests consist of questions of relatively simple facts (such as: Who made this or that film?), questions of more complex character (such as: Mention the characteristics of this or that director), and questions to be answered with a short essay (such as: Comment on the typical trends in modern Icelandic film). The answers will be weighted differently. Midterm takes place in class on March 12th.
Film Screening Info Tests
It is very important that you view each required film before class (see under "Film Viewings" below). A very short, written test relating to the film’s content will sometimes be given before the screening.
Research Paper Synopsis or Small Presentation in Class
The synopsis or short presentation in class should give the topic of your paper. Must be handed in/discussed on April 6th.
Research Paper
The topics for the research paper are decided by the student and the instructor together. Normally, it would be on (or relate to) subjects and films dealt with in the course. It is of course also possible to write about other topics/films by agreement with the instructor.
Suggested structure of your paper:
- Table of contents.
- Introduction:
- Presentation of the subject to be investigated.
- An overview of the contents.
- A comment on the methodology.
- Analysis: Short description(s), comments, discussions, comparisons.
- Summary and conclusion.
- Notes & Bibliography.
The paper should be based on the required reading, the additional reading found in the DIS library and/or the Danish Film Museum Library, the films seen in class and/or films by your own choice.
In the Introduction, the factual material is presented. The main emphasis, though, should be on the analysis - that is: your personal discussion of the material. It is necessary to present the substance of the topic through paraphrasing and quotations (remember, always to footnote/endnote sources of direct quotations), but it is not sufficient only to paraphrase. The analysis of the material - your personal understanding and interpretation - is the important part of the paper. The paper should normally include a relatively detailed analysis of one of the films you have seen within the subject.
Length: Appr. 8-10 type written pages, or approx. 2800-3000 words.
The Research Paper is due May 9th at 11:59 pm (hand in at my office or email it to me).
The Danish Film Institute Library is located in the Film House, “Filmhuset,” Gothersgade 55 (close to Nørreport Station). The Library has a large collection of books, periodicals, stills and other film-related material. The Film House also has a book store, a video library, a cafe, plus three cinemas that show films every day.
The Library is open:
| Monday: | Closed |
| Tues-Fri: | 9 am - 9 pm |
| Saturday: | 10:45 am – 9 pm |
| Sunday: | 10:45am – 7 pm |
Field Studies
Wednesday, January 29, 1-5 pm
Focus on national identity in Danish film: Watching Summer 92 (2015), and visit from the director Kasper Barfoed afterwards
Monday, February 17, 7:00-10:30 pm
Film night: Watching the Finnish film The Other Side of Hope on the big screen in Husets Biograf/The House’s Movie Theatre (snack and a beer/other drink included).
Wednesday, April 1, 8.30-12-.30 pm
Watch the film Cutterhead (2019), and visit from the director of the film, Rasmus Kloster Bro.
Film Viewings
Please note that it is mandatory to watch each film before the relevant class. Below you will find a schedule of film viewings that allows you the opportunity to view the films together as a class – on a (relatively) big screen. If, for some reason, you are unable to attend a viewing or would like to see a particular film again, it will be available on reserve in a specific semester shelf at the Library (ask one of the librarians). Keep in mind that these films act as the texts of this course and it is therefore just as necessary to watch each film attentively (i.e. take notes) before the class sessions in which it will be discussed.
Each film will be screened once, at 4:15-6:00 pm on the given date in The DIS Movie Theatre in Vestergade 23, Ground Floor, except when noted otherwise.
The following 11 films/tv episodes are either uploaded on or linked through Canvas, or on HBO Nordic or Netflix: The Celebration (uploaded, 2 files), The Hunt (uploaded), Summer of '92 (uploaded), Concrete Night (uploaded), Force Majeure (uploaded), Thelma (link), Rams (uploaded), Sami Blood (uploaded), Gösta, episode 1 (HBO Nordic), Beforeigners, episode 1 (HBO Nordic)and Bird Box (Netflix). Note that some of these files need to be downloaded before watching on VLC Player (also need to download that).
| Viewing Dates: |
Film: |
| Theme I: Important trends and names in Scandinavian Cinema |
|
| Monday, January 20 | The Celebration |
| Monday, January 27 | Melancholia |
| Field Study: Wednesday, January 29, 1-5 pm | Summer of '92 (belongs in Theme II) |
| Monday, February 10 | Persona |
| EVENING Field Study: Monday, February 17 (7:00-10:30 pm in Husets Biograf) | The Other Side of Hope |
| Theme II: National Identity in Scandinavian Cinema | |
| Thursady, February 20 | Adam's Apples |
|
|
Theme III: Family and Sexuality Matter |
| Monday, March 2 | Concrete Night |
| Thursday, March 5 | The Hunt |
| Thursday, March 12 | Force Majeure |
| Monday, March 23 | Rams |
|
Theme IV: Scandinavian Horror |
|
| Thursday, March 26 | Let The Right One In |
| Monday, March 30 | Thelma |
| Field Study: Wednesday, April 1, 8,30-12,30 | Cutterhead |
| Theme V: Indigionous Groups in Scandinavia | |
| Monday, April 6 | Sami Blood |
| Theme VI: Scandinavia Goes HBO and Netflix | |
| Monday, April 20 (watching together in class) | Gösta, episode 1 |
|
Thursday, April 23 (watching together in class) |
Beforeigners, episode 1 |
| Monday, April 23 | Birdbox |
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|