The Importance of Being Funded : A Case Study of the Public Funding, Production, and Style of Pica Pica (1987)

Abstract: Given the 2017 discontinuation of the Swedish Film Agreement and the surrounding debate on the rationales of film policy, this thesis will conduct a historical study of a particular instance of Swedish film policy history, thus seeking to contribute to the understanding of the consequences of film policy for the outcome of film. Looking at the relationship between Swedish public broadcasting (SVT) and the Swedish Film Institute (SFI) during the mid-1980’s, this thesis aims to investigate the historical background of the funding and production process that enabled the creation of Pica Pica, a feature documentary film on magpies made by director Mikael Kristersson. By applying Geir Vestheim’s theory of the four instrumental arguments for public support of the arts and through an idea analysis, the thesis will investigate what arguments could be said to be pivotal for the funding and production of Pica Pica. Analyzing policy documents concerning the SFI and SVT, as well as using interviews conducted with the people in decision-making positions at the time, the thesis investigates what rationales and circumstances might be said to have informed the funding and production of Pica Pica. Furthermore, Kristersson’s film will be analyzed in relation to concepts of ecocinema and in relation to its lineage in nature portrayal in Swedish film. Through its investigation of the role of the funding and production circumstances for the stylistic outcome of the film, the thesis seeks to contribute to the understanding of the importance and consequences of film policy and production organization for the outcome of film in current times withal.