Scandinavian Film and Television

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/scandinavian-movies-tv

Introduction

**Course Review: Scandinavian Film and Television on Coursera** If you're a film buff or simply curious about the fascinating intersection of culture and media, the Coursera course "Scandinavian Film and Television" offers an enriching experience that delves into the unique cinematic landscape of Scandinavia. This course is an essential exploration of the region’s film and television art forms, which have become global cultural phenomena, strongly linked to the values of liberalism and progressiveness. ### Overview of the Course Scandinavian cinema has produced landmark films and television series that reflect the social, cultural, and institutional backgrounds of the Nordic countries. This course examines how these film and television products relate to ideas around the welfare state and their impact both locally and internationally. Throughout the course, you will explore significant contributors to the field, thematic deep-dives, and the evolution of the industry over time. ### Course Syllabus Breakdown #### 1. Contemporary Scandinavian Film and TV Culture and Dreyer's Classical Cinema The course kicks off with an examination of contemporary trends in Scandinavian film and television culture. It offers insights into how the narratives are interconnected with the ongoing themes of the welfare state. You will also explore the striking work of director Carl Th. Dreyer, including his silent masterpiece "The Passion of Joan of Arc," which sets the stage for understanding cinematic heritage in the region. #### 2. Ingmar Bergman and Lars von Trier Two titanic figures in cinema, Ingmar Bergman and Lars von Trier are closely analyzed in this portion of the course. You will study Bergman's profound influence on modern art cinema through iconic films such as "The Seventh Seal" and "Cries and Whispers" and discover the controversial yet impactful works of Lars von Trier, including the "Europa Trilogy" and "Breaking the Waves." This section is perfect for those looking to understand the psychological depth and stylistic innovations these filmmakers brought to the medium. #### 3. New Wave, Art Cinema, and Social Drama Following this, you'll dive into the Scandinavian new wave, identifying key "auteurs" and examining the evolution of art films and social dramas post-1990. The course highlights award-winning films and the harsh realities depicted in contemporary narratives, providing a stark contrast to the more fantastical elements of the earlier cinema. #### 4. Documentary and Early TV Drama Scandinavian cinema is also renowned for its innovative documentary filmmaking. The next lessons focus on the rich history from early works to contemporary documentaries and the evolution of television drama from 1960 to 2000. This historical context will illuminate the distinctive style and substance that characterize Scandinavian storytelling. #### 5. Modern TV Drama and the Digital Revolution In the final module, you’ll review how TV dramas like "Wallander" and "Forbrydelsen/The Killing" grew into the acclaimed "Nordic Noir" trend of the 2010s. This section is critical for understanding the transnational reach of Scandinavian dramas and discusses the implications of a global digital era on regional storytelling. ### Insights and Recommendations This course is well-structured, allowing learners to appreciate the significant thematic threads running through Scandinavian film and television. While the lectures were filmed in 2014, the accompanying resources keep the content relevant by linking to recent developments in the field, ensuring that learners are updated on the latest trends and innovations. The curriculum is suitable for anyone from film students to casual viewers interested in the nuances of Nordic storytelling—be you a devoted Bergman fan or new to Scandinavian cinema. I wholeheartedly recommend this course for anyone looking to expand their understanding of how cultural values manifest in film and television, especially within the context of a society that has made progressive strides toward welfare and representation. In conclusion, "Scandinavian Film and Television" on Coursera is not just a course; it's a journey through rich narratives, profound filmmaking techniques, and a profound socio-cultural tapestry. Whether you're looking to understand the artistic merit behind the masterpieces of Bergman or the social commentaries woven into modern TV dramas, this course will enlighten and inspire you. Enroll today and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Scandinavian cinema!

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.

'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' ...

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.

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.

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.)