LAINE FINNISH

Finnish Film Studios is the first scholarly examination of the Finnish studio system, providing a comprehensive analysis of the industry's output over the core decades of the studio era. The study considers the contributions of major and minor companies and independent producers, and explores the unique characteristics of Finnish studio cinema, including its genres, cycles, and popular domestic stars. The book also considers the geopolitical realities that influenced the films during the studio era, at times under the influence of Germany and the Soviet Union.

Format: Hardback
Publication date: 31 May 2021
Publisher: EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY PRESS

Finnish Film Studios is a groundbreaking scholarly work that offers the first comprehensive examination of the Finnish studio system. Written by Laine, the book provides a nuanced and insightful approach that is both sensitive to the unique characteristics of the Finnish studio system and applicable to small nation cinema industries in general. One of the key strengths of this study is its comprehensive coverage of the output of Finnish film companies over the studio era, spanning approximately 600 feature films produced between the 1930s and early 1960s. By examining this vast body of work, Laine offers a detailed analysis of the various films and filmmakers that shaped the studio era in Finland. One of the notable films explored in Finnish Film Studios is Stolen Death (1938), directed by Valtteri Oksanen. This film, which tells the story of a young woman who is abducted and forced into prostitution, is considered a classic of Finnish cinema and is often praised for its realistic portrayal of social issues. Another film that receives significant attention is The Way You Wanted Me (1944), directed by Aku Hirviniemi. This film, which follows the lives of two young lovers during World War II, is known for its emotional depth and its exploration of the complexities of human relationships. The White Reindeer (1952), directed by Veikko Itkonen, is another notable film that is discussed in the book. This film, which tells the story of a reindeer herder who falls in love with a city woman, is considered a masterpiece of Finnish cinema and is often praised for its stunning cinematography and its exploration of themes of love, sacrifice, and nature. The Glass Heart (1959), directed by Pentti Irjala, is another film that is examined in Finnish Film Studios. This film, which tells the story of a young woman who falls in love with a man who is already married, is known for its psychological depth and its exploration of themes of identity and morality. In addition to these films, Finnish Film Studios also considers the contributions of fully integrated major companies, such as Suomi-Filmi, Suomen Filmiteollisuus, and Fennada-Filmi, as well as minor companies and independent producers that were responsible for some of the canonized work of the studio era. Laine's analysis of these companies and their contributions to the Finnish film industry provides valuable insight into the industrial structures, hierarchical organization of labor, and the love-hate relationship with Hollywood that characterized the studio era. However, Finnish Film Studios is not merely a historical study of the Finnish studio system. Instead, Laine approaches Finnish studio cinema as both typical and particular. While it shares many similarities with European small nation cinema, including its industrial structures, reliance period, and reliance on hierarchical organization of labor, it is also unique in its genres, cycles, and hugely popular domestic stars. Moreover, films were made in the constant presence of geopolitical realities, at times under the influence of Germany and the Soviet Union. This unique context adds depth and complexity to the analysis, making Finnish Film Studios an essential read for anyone interested in the study of cinema and its relationship to politics.

ISBN-13: 9781474446808