Long-serving and highly respected Professor of Film History Peter von Bagh has passed away
22.09.2014
Professor Peter von Bagh passed away on Wednesday 17 September after a long illness.
Von Bagh worked as a Professor in the Department of Film, Television and Scenography up until last summer, working to the end with the same passion for which he was known worldwide in film festivals, film archives, universities, film schools and other film industry institutions. Peter von Bagh's broad general knowledge and education combined with his detailed understanding of film history, plus his sensitivity and ability to draw an audience in, made him an unforgettable lecturer who raised film history teaching at Aalto University to international heights. Von Bagh genuinely cared about his students: he was, for example, among the first to give his public support for students' attempts to protect the connection both with University of the Arts Helsinki and more broadly with the arts sphere. On the other hand he also expected from his students, in addition to a knowledge of film history, hard work, determination and the courage to be oneself. For multiple generations of film makers and film industry professionals in Finland, Peter von Bagh was a role model and source of inspiration.
In December 2013 Peter von Bagh wrote the following words when reflecting on his own nearly 50-year-long teaching career in the Department of Film, Television and Scenography:
‘Enthusiasm. I have often wondered at how we naive and childlike film club members from bygone times knew more about films than today's young people, who have “everything” at their fingertips. We were curious, excited: the world and the film industry had to be fought for. Technology wasn't yet running the show, film itself was king. I believe - and I don't think that this is just nostalgic longing for the old days of film making - that unless we win back as our own spiritual possession that raw, holy enthusiasm, unless we raise film higher than its current role as a consumer product or its current identity as a technological by-product, we have failed in our obligations to our craft.’
The Department of Film, Television and Scenography is proud to be able to commit to continuing on the path marked out by Peter von Bagh, as a tireless advocate for film, film history, and film culture, with love for film and a raw holy enthusiasm as its guiding light.
Satu Kyösola
University Lecturer; Film History, Theory and Research
Jarmo Lampela
Head of Department; Department of Film, Television and Scenography