Screening Twentieth Century Europe

Ib Bondebjerg is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Communication at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. He co-directed the research projects Changing Media - Changing Europe (2000-2004) and Mediating Cultural Encounters through European Screens (2013-2016). His recent books include Engaging with Reality: Documentary and Globalisation (2014), European Cinema and Television: Cultural Policy and Everyday Life (co-ed. 2015), and Transnational European Television Drama: Production, Genres and Audiences (co-auth. 2017).

“This book was a milestone in research, highlighting the cultural role of television drama, not only in a Danish context, but also internationally. … Bondebjerg’s methodological approach – following the course of history from a constant, comparative perspective – makes his account of English and German historical drama and documentaries not only informative, but also fascinating reading. … Any reader interested in history on screen will enjoy revisiting their favourite productions under the professional guidance of Bondebjerg.” (Gunhild Agger, MedieKultur, Issue 70, 2021)

• 1. Introduction. A Century of Extremes and Profound Changes: Mediating European History.- 2.      Memory and History as Mediated and Embodied Narratives.- 3. Historical Genres on Television: The Broader European Picture.- 4. The Meaning of Small Things: Everyday Drama and History from Below.- 5. History from Above: Historical Biopics.- 6. Grand illusions and The Great War: WW1 Narratives.- 7. Living on the Edge: The Roaring Twenties and World Crisis.- 8. Hell on Earth: WW2 War Narratives.- 9. Post-war Europe: Cold War, Welfare and Cultural Revolution.- 10.  Europe 1989 and Beyond: Towards the New Millennium.- 11.  Conclusion: History on Our Mind – the Forms and Functions of Mediated History