Scandinavian Film and Television from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Contemporary Scandinavian Film and TV Culture and Dreyer's Classical Cinema

This module consists of two lessons. The first lesson offers an introduction to main trends in the contemporary Scandinavian film and television culture, focusing – among other things – on how the national film and television cultures relate to ideas of the welfare state. The module also addresses the international impact of film and television from Scandinavia. The second lesson deals with the early years of cinema in Scandinavia and the work of the Danish director Carl Th. Dreyer, from a silent film classic such as 'The Passion of Joan of Arc' to the sound film era.

Ingmar Bergman and Lars von Trier

'The Seventh Seal', 'Persona' and 'Cries and Whispers' are just some of the famous films by the acclaimed Swedish director Ingmar Bergman. The third lesson focuses on issues of influences, themes and style in his films as well as on Bergman's importance for the modern art cinema. The fourth lesson deals with the internationally renowned ideas and films by the Danish director Lars von Trier: 'The Europa-trilogy'; The TV series 'Riget'/'The Kingdom'; 'Breaking the Waves'; 'Dancer in the Dark' and 'Dogville'; The Dogma 95 Manifesto; 'Antichrist', 'Melancholia' and 'Nymphomaniac' ...

New Wave, Art Cinema and Social Drama

Many people have heard of the French new wave cinema, 'la nouvelle vague'. The fifth lesson deals with the main tendencies of the Scandinavian new wave cinema and some of its 'auteurs'. The sixth lesson focuses on different tendencies in the Scandinavian art film and social drama after 1990, ranging from award-winning heritage films to harsh stories from the contemporary Scandinavian welfare societies.

Documentary and Early TV Drama

Scandinavian cinema has a long history of strong documentary film making. The seventh lesson moves from the early documentary filmmakers to the contemporary – global and digital – scene for Scandinavian documentaries. Television drama is important for the Scandinavian public service broadcasters, but the notions of good television drama have changed remarkably from the early days of television up until today. In the eighth lesson we focus on the main tendencies in these developments from 1960 to 2000.

Modern TV Drama and the Digital Revolution

With 'Nordic Noir' such as 'Wallander' and 'Forbrydelsen/The Killing' becoming a 'brand' in the 2010s, some 'Scandi crime' series were suddenly of interest to international as well as national audiences. The ninth lesson focuses on Scandinavian television drama after the millennium and addresses some of the changes in the production framework that helped the series move from the national to the international realm. The tenth and final lesson discusses how to understand the contemporary Scandinavian film and television culture in a global and digital era. What might the transnational future bring? (Please be advised that these lectures were filmed in 2014. Much has happened since then. We have put links about more recent developments in the resources.)

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the social, institutional, and cultural background of film and television in Scandinavia and in a broader European and global context

Examines the contemporary Scandinavian film and television culture, addressing its connection to the liberal and progressive welfare society

Taught by Eva Novrup Redvall, a recognized expert in Scandinavian film and television

Analyzes the international impact of Scandinavian film and television, exploring its contributions to global cultural trends

Focuses on the early years of cinema in Scandinavia and the work of Carl Th. Dreyer, providing insights into the evolution of Scandinavian filmmaking

Provides a comprehensive overview of Ingmar Bergman's acclaimed films, examining their themes, influences, and significance in modern art cinema

Offers an in-depth analysis of Lars von Trier's renowned films and ideas, exploring his impact on the international film landscape

Examines the main tendencies and 'auteurs' of the Scandinavian new wave cinema, providing insights into this influential movement

Delves into the award-winning heritage films and harsh stories that characterize Scandinavian art film and social drama after 1990, reflecting the complexities of contemporary Scandinavian society

Traces the evolution of Scandinavian documentary filmmaking, from the early pioneers to the contemporary digital era, highlighting its global impact

Explores the main tendencies in Scandinavian television drama, discussing the shift from early notions to contemporary innovations that have gained international recognition

Examines the rise of 'Nordic Noir' and the impact of digital technologies on Scandinavian television drama, highlighting the global reach of these productions

Reviews summary

Captivating scandinavian screen stories

Learners say Scandinavian Film and Television impresses with complex themes and nuanced storytelling. The industry delves into the human condition with authenticity. Intelligent writing and intricate plots engage audiences and keep them guessing. Visually, these productions capture the beauty and atmosphere of the Nordic region, immersing viewers in each story's world. The attention to detail is evident in the cinematography, set designs, and overall aesthetics.

Captivating landscapes and set designs

"striking visual aesthetics"

"captures the beauty and atmosphere of the Nordic region"

Intricate plots and well-crafted narratives

"intelligent writing"

"offering intricate plots that keep viewers engaged and guessing until the very end"

Complex themes and character development

"explores complex and nuanced themes"

"rich in character development"

"explores the human condition in a compelling manner"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Scandinavian Film and Television with these activities:

Review basic film analysis concepts and terminology

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Refreshes foundational knowledge and terminology essential for engaging with Scandinavian film analysis.

Browse courses on Film Analysis

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Revisit key concepts such as mise-en-scene, cinematography, editing, and sound design
Practice applying these concepts to analyze short film clips or sequences

Read 'Nordic Film: Cinema and Society' by Lars Gustafsson & John Sundholm

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Provides foundational knowledge on the social and cultural context of Scandinavian cinema.

View Historical Dictionary of Scandinavian Cinema... on Amazon

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Review the introduction and chapter on 'The National Cinema'
Read the chapters on 'The Golden Age of Scandinavian Cinema' and 'Post-War Cinema'

Participate in a group discussion on the role of women in Scandinavian cinema

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Fosters critical engagement and encourages diverse perspectives on a significant theme in Scandinavian cinema.

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Prepare by reading articles or watching films that explore the representation of women in Scandinavian cinema
Join a peer discussion group and share insights, opinions, and evidence from your research

Five other activities

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Watch and analyze 'The Seventh Seal' (1957) by Ingmar Bergman

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Strengthens understanding of Bergman's cinematic style and themes through a close examination of one of his masterworks.

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Watch the film and take notes on the cinematography, symbolism, and dialogue
Read critical essays or reviews on the film to gain different perspectives

Compare and contrast the directorial styles of Lars von Trier and Ingmar Bergman

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Develops critical thinking and analytical skills by examining the unique approaches of two renowned Scandinavian directors.

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Choose three films from each director and compare their visual aesthetics, narrative techniques, and themes
Write a comparative essay highlighting the similarities and differences between their styles

Write a blog post analyzing a recent Scandinavian film or TV series

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Strengthens writing and critical thinking skills while fostering engagement with contemporary Scandinavian film and TV.

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Choose a recent Scandinavian film or TV series that resonates with you
Analyze the film or series in terms of its narrative, characters, themes, and cultural context
Write a well-structured and engaging blog post that presents your analysis and insights

Design a poster for a Scandinavian film festival

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Applies knowledge of Scandinavian cinema and principles of marketing to create a visually impactful promotional piece.

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Research different Scandinavian film posters and identify their common elements
Choose a representative image or scene from a Scandinavian film and create a visually striking composition
Incorporate relevant text and design elements to communicate the festival's theme and identity

Contribute to an online database of Scandinavian film data

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Provides practical experience in data management and contributes to a valuable resource for Scandinavian film research.

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Locate an established online database of Scandinavian film information
Gather relevant data from reliable sources and prepare it for submission
Contact the database maintainers and follow their submission guidelines

Career center

Learners who complete Scandinavian Film and Television will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Media Studies Professor

A Media Studies Professor teaches courses in media studies, film, and television at a college or university. They research, write, and publish articles and books on media-related topics. This course can provide Media Studies Professors with a deeper understanding of Scandinavian cinema and its place in global media culture. This knowledge can help them teach their students about the region's rich cinematic tradition.

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Film and Television Archivist

A Film and Television Archivist preserves and catalogues film and television materials. They work in archives, libraries, and museums to ensure that these materials are available for future generations. This course can provide Film and Television Archivists with a deeper understanding of Scandinavian cinema and its place in global film history. This knowledge can help them preserve and catalogue Scandinavian film materials in a way that is consistent with the region's cinematic traditions.

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Film Historian

A Film Historian researches, analyzes, and writes about the history of film. They may work in academia, museums, or archives. This course can provide Film Historians with a deeper understanding of Scandinavian cinema and its place in global film history.

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Film Critic

A Film Critic writes reviews and articles about films for newspapers, magazines, websites, or other publications. They provide their opinions on the film's quality, acting, directing, and other aspects. This course can provide Film Critics with a deeper understanding of Scandinavian cinema and the cultural and social context in which it is produced. This can help them write more informed and insightful reviews.

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Writer

A Writer creates written content for a variety of purposes, including books, articles, scripts, and speeches. They may work as journalists, novelists, poets, or in other writing-related fields. This course may be useful for Writers who want to learn more about the history and development of Scandinavian literature. This knowledge can help them create written content that is influenced by or inspired by the region's rich literary tradition.

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Video Editor

A Video Editor assembles and edits raw footage into a finished video. They work closely with directors, producers, and other creatives to realize the video's vision. This course may be useful for Video Editors who want to learn more about the history and techniques of Scandinavian filmmaking. This knowledge can help them edit videos in a way that is consistent with the region's cinematic traditions.

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Screenwriter

A Screenwriter writes the screenplay for a film or television show. They work with directors, producers, and other creatives to develop the story and characters. This course may be useful for Screenwriters who want to learn more about the history and techniques of Scandinavian filmmaking. This knowledge can help them write scripts that are influenced by or inspired by the region's rich cinematic tradition.

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Film Editor

A Film Editor assembles and edits raw footage into a finished film or video. They work closely with the director to realize the film's vision. This course may be useful for Film Editors who want to learn more about the history and techniques of Scandinavian filmmaking. This knowledge can help them edit films in a way that is consistent with the region's cinematic traditions.

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Television Writer

A Television Writer writes the scripts for television shows. They work with directors, producers, and other creatives to develop the story and characters. This course may be useful for Television Writers who want to learn more about the history and techniques of Scandinavian television writing. This knowledge can help them write scripts that are influenced by or inspired by the region's rich television tradition.

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Television Producer

A Television Producer is responsible for the financial and logistical aspects of a television production. They work with investors, distributors, and other crew members to ensure that the show is made on time and within budget. This course may be useful for Television Producers who want to learn more about the business and legal aspects of Scandinavian television production. This knowledge can help them make informed decisions about television production and distribution.

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Visual Effects Artist

A Visual Effects Artist creates and manipulates digital images for film, television, and video games. They work with directors, producers, and other creatives to bring their vision to life. This course may be useful for Visual Effects Artists who want to learn more about the history and development of Scandinavian cinema. This knowledge can help them create visual effects that are influenced by or inspired by the region's rich cinematic tradition.

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Film Producer

A Film Producer is responsible for the financial and logistical aspects of a film production. They work with investors, distributors, and other crew members to ensure that the film is made on time and within budget. This course may be useful for Film Producers who want to learn more about the business and legal aspects of Scandinavian filmmaking. This knowledge can help them make informed decisions about film production and distribution.

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Television Director

A Television Director is responsible for the artistic and creative vision of a television show. They work with actors, crew members, and other creatives to bring their vision to life. This course may be useful for Television Directors who want to learn more about the history and development of Scandinavian television. This knowledge can help them create television shows that are influenced by or inspired by the region's rich television tradition.

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Documentary Filmmaker

A Documentary Filmmaker researches, writes, shoots, and edits documentaries for television, film, or the web. Documentaries present real events, people, or issues in a non-fictional manner and often use interviews, archival footage, and narration. This course may be useful for building a strong foundation in the history and social context of Scandinavian film, which can help Documentary Filmmakers understand and portray the culture and values of the region.

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Film Director

A Film Director is responsible for the artistic and creative vision of a film. They work with actors, crew members, and other creatives to bring their vision to life. This course may be useful for Film Directors who want to learn more about the history and development of Scandinavian cinema. This knowledge can help them create films that are influenced by or inspired by the region's rich cinematic tradition.

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