Dissertation in the field of Film, MA Raija Talvio

Dr. Riina Hyytiä will act as an opponent. Professor Susanna Helke will act as custos.

Raija Talvio’s study examines screenwriting in Finland during the first decade of sound film 1931–1941.

A lively public discussion on the rapidly growing domestic cinema took place on the pages of film magazines and other publications in the 1930s. One of the questions debated was the ”screenplay problem”. What would be the best possible subject matter for Finnish cinema?  Who should write films? Should the producers prefer original material over adaptations? How to write a good screenplay? Would recruiting experienced novelists and playwrights improve the quality of films?

The study looks at the aesthetic and ideological values that influenced the practice of screenwriting and the formation of screenwriting as a profession. It opens up new perspectives on the history of Finnish cinema and literature, and also sheds light on the background of today's professional discussions.