A1 Journal article (refereed)
Elokuvaa apatiaa vastaan : etnografinen tutkimus kirjallisuusterapian menetelmiä hyödyntävästä nuorten elokuvahankkeesta (2024)
Film Against Apathy : An Ethnographic Study of a Youth Film Project Utilizing Bibliotherapy Methods

Maanmieli, K., & Hämäläinen, M. (2024). Elokuvaa apatiaa vastaan : etnografinen tutkimus kirjallisuusterapian menetelmiä hyödyntävästä nuorten elokuvahankkeesta. Lähikuva, 37(4), 47-66. https://doi.org/10.23994/lk.154732

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Maanmieli, Karoliina; Hämäläinen, Matias

Journal or series: Lähikuva

eISSN: 2343-399X

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 12/12/2024

Volume: 37

Issue number: 4

Pages range: 47-66

Publisher: Lähikuva-yhdistys

Publication country: Finland

Publication language: Finnish

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23994/lk.154732

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/99163

Additional information: Terapian tarpeessa -lyhytelokuvan ensi-iltaa vietettiin Villa Ranassa 17.5.2024. Tilaisuudessa esitettiin elokuvan lisäksi Making of -dokumentti, jota seurasi paneelikeskustelu elokuvatyöskentelyn ja muun luovan toiminnan merkityksestä nuorten hyvinvoinnille.

Abstract

In this article focusing on an ethnographic participatory case study, we describe the Mieletön muuvi -project, conducted in 2023–2024. This project was a youth-driven film project utilizing methods from bibliotherapy, resulting in the Terapian tarpeessa short film. The project brought together young adults, volunteer actors, two cinematographers, and two group facilitators who collectively produced a short film. Since the early 2000s, numerous projects and studies utilizing art-based methods have been carried out in Finland, some of which focus on film education. A recurring finding in these studies is that such activities have positively impacted young people, enhancing their sense of participation, agency, and well-being. However, research reports often lack practical descriptions of the activities, such as challenges and solutions. Therefore, in this article, we aim to provide readers with a concrete description of what we did in the project, offering insights for planning and organizing similar activities both for young people and professionals working with them. The research is based on a diverse ethnographic dataset produced during the project, including interviews and photographs. We investigated how the participants of the project ascribed meaning to the filmmaking process and their involvement in it, as well as how youth-driven filmmaking, utilizing bibliotherapeutic methods, can foster the development of teamwork skills and self-awareness. We also reflect on the aspects that should be considered during different stages of the process. This research reinforces findings from previous national and international studies, indicating that art-based methods strengthen young people’s sense of agency and participation. Bibliotherapeutic methods were found to be an effective tool for group cohesion and for integrating and distancing personal life experiences into a unified narrative. In future projects utilizing filmmaking, attention should be given to filming and editing resources and to ensuring a flexible enough schedule so that all participants could practice skills such as filming, recording, and editing.

Keywords: literature therapy; arts-based methods; film education; young people; projects; ethnography

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Preliminary JUFO rating: 2