FEMINIST METHODOLOGIES IN PRACTICE: A case of community filmmaking in Sweden

Sammanfattning: This thesis explores the intersections between social science and filmmaking practice through engaging with community filmmaking practice in Sweden. The main area of interest is to explore how feminist theory and methodology in social science can inform discussions in documentary filmmaking practice, both aiming to transform the oppressive narratives and empower voices from marginalized and minority communities. It employs feminist standpoint theory, feminist postcolonial theory, theory of reflexivity, and feminist ethics of care to investigate the ways some of the concepts and values expressed in these theories are reflected in the community filmmaking practice. In order to examine the argument that feminist methodology can contribute to re-imagining documentary filmmaking practice this thesis first discusses the ways filmmakers understand and engage with concepts of reflexivity, politics of location, and ethics in relation to the filmmaking process. Furthermore, the thesis discusses concrete practices employed by filmmakers as examples of successful application principles of feminist methodologies in the filmmaking process. Finally, it is concluded that emancipatory filmmaking practices outlined in this thesis can be a valuable contribution to attempts to decolonize filmmaking practices and contribute to a more equal and just documentary filmmaking landscape.