Film-related articles in Kulisa, a magazine for theatre, cinema, variety, society and sports (1929–1932)

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to provide a basic overview of film-related articles published in the Croatian cultural magazine Kulisa between 1929 and 1932. By examining the content of this specific media corpus, the paper initiates the analysis of Kulisa’s contribution to shaping the film discourse in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, offering first insights into patterns of popular perception, media mediation, and technological changes that marked the period.

The methodological framework of the research includes an analysis of all available issues of the magazine held in the collection of the National and University Library in Zagreb. The study examined thematic units, the geography of reporting on cinematic centres, the development of domestic and foreign film industries, and approaches to the presentation of silent and sound films. This is the first study on the subject, presented here through summarised findings and conclusions, along with a comprehensive bibliography of all articles. A more detailed analysis of the catalogued texts—including a deeper identification of dominant themes, modes of film presentation, and the context of the film industry’s development during this historical period, as indicated in the chapter on the magazine’s specificities and in the conclusion—will be the focus of a subsequent paper based on this archival research. That sequel will also offer a contemporary perspective on the cultural context of the production and reception of film-related topics in Kulisa.

The results show that film topics were highly prominent in Kulisa during the first three years, while a decline in content volume was recorded in 1932. The visual aspect of the covers reveals a strong dominance of film stars (especially foreign actresses), who were almost always portrayed in a distinctly positive light. Reports from Hollywood and Berlin production centres outweighed local content, although early efforts to develop a Yugoslav film infrastructure were noted. Kulisa also reflected the technological transition from silent to sound film, albeit with a degree of scepticism and nostalgia.

In conclusion, the paper confirms that Kulisa played an important role in transmitting film information and shaping a media audience, incorporating clear elements of popular culture, sensationalism, and star idealisation. The magazine formally positioned itself as a cultural medium, and its role in shaping the early film information landscape is indisputable.