Book Review. Transmediality and Cultural Semiotics

Abstract

lishment of independence. The book ends by presenting visions for new fi lms and short ‘greeting cards’ from the Nordic countries. The cooperation between Baltic and Nordic countries might not be overwhelming, but certainly more common than between the Baltic countries themselves. The relations between the Nordic and Baltic region are not as special as 25 years ago when both sides were rediscovering their historical and cultural ties. However, Finland and Estonia have reached a new level of fi lm coproduction with works like Purge (Puhdistus/ Puhastus, directed by Antti J. Jokinen, Estonia/Finland, 2012) and Fencer (Miekkailija/Vehkleja/ ENDEL – Der Fechter, Finland/ Estonia/Germany, directed by Klaus Härö, 2015), both of them Finnish majority co-productions focusing on Estonian history. Stork Flying over Pinewood provides an insight into the Nordic dimension of the Baltic fi lm industries. It not only refl ects on, but also recreates, the concept of Baltic cinema. In the national languages there is hardly any discussion about the Baltic dimension of the national fi lm industries apart from the evident need for cooperation. Jan Erik Holst’s focused vision renders the deeper shared structures of Baltic cinemas visible, based on historical experiences as well as similar understandings of the concept of nationalism and culture. As probably the fi rst book on Baltic fi lm culture to be written in English, it serves its purpose well. The fragmented structure of the book, which constantly requires assistance, explanation and additional interpretation from the editor, refl ects the nature of Baltic cinema itself. The question of the meaning of ‘Baltic’ in the cinemas of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia remains a question about shared identity. Perhaps this identity is as fragmented as the fi lm histories of the three countries – with friendly personal relations, clear similarities, evident gaps and few co-productions. This shared identity is like a boat that we have suddenly found ourselves in, but which we initially did not intend to board. Book Review