'Danmark på film': Film Archives and a New Sense of Cultural Memory

Abstract

This article explores to what extent and in what ways a film archive is capable of building a cultural memory by closely examining the project Danmark på film (initiated by the Danish Film Institute). While archives tend to have a reputation as passive collectors, Danmark på film presents progressive ideas to create a dynamic interplay between a film archive’s material and the public. It will be argued that, by using digitization, Danmark på film secures preservation and display, creates a cross-generational dialogue, and redefines ‘cultural memory’ by shifting focus to the everyday life of a nation.