A3 Refereed book chapter or chapter in a compilation book
Sci-fi Hero for a Generation: Finnish Girlhood in a Music Video by Vesala
Authors: Riihimäki, Hanna-Mari
Editors: Anna-Elena Pääkkölä, Mathias Bonde Korsgaard, John Richardson
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication year: 2025
Book title : Nordic Music Videos
ISBN: 978-1-03-284589-0
eISBN: 978-1-00-351400-8
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003514008-10
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: No Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Partially Open Access publication channel
Abstract
Paula Vesala, a renowned Finnish musician, songwriter, and actress, is celebrated for her impactful solo career, which delves into themes of femininity and girlhood within the Nordic cultural context. This chapter focuses on her music video “Mul ei oo lapsuuden sankarii” (“I don’t have a childhood hero,” 2019), directed by Viivi Huuska. The video explores issues such as alienation, familial rejection, and inequality, reflecting the experiences of Finnish girls and challenging traditional gender norms prevalent in Nordic societies. Through its sci-fi aesthetics and symbolic imagery, the video critiques societal expectations and underscores Vesala's personal experiences. The chapter discusses Vesala's ability to intertwine her artistic persona with her performance characters, creating a powerful narrative that addresses both historical and contemporary issues of Finnish femininity. The music video serves as a reparative practice, offering empowerment and a reimagined space for those who feel marginalized, positioning Vesala as a modern hero in Finnish popular culture. Additionally, the video aligns with feminist ideals by challenging and subverting traditional gender roles and expectations, and connects to a broader Nordic setting through its references to local Finnish scenes and Nordic musical influences. © 2026 selection and editorial matter, Anna-Elena Pääkkölä, Mathias Bonde Korsgaard and John Richardson; individual chapters, the contributors.
Paula Vesala, a renowned Finnish musician, songwriter, and actress, is celebrated for her impactful solo career, which delves into themes of femininity and girlhood within the Nordic cultural context. This chapter focuses on her music video “Mul ei oo lapsuuden sankarii” (“I don’t have a childhood hero,” 2019), directed by Viivi Huuska. The video explores issues such as alienation, familial rejection, and inequality, reflecting the experiences of Finnish girls and challenging traditional gender norms prevalent in Nordic societies. Through its sci-fi aesthetics and symbolic imagery, the video critiques societal expectations and underscores Vesala's personal experiences. The chapter discusses Vesala's ability to intertwine her artistic persona with her performance characters, creating a powerful narrative that addresses both historical and contemporary issues of Finnish femininity. The music video serves as a reparative practice, offering empowerment and a reimagined space for those who feel marginalized, positioning Vesala as a modern hero in Finnish popular culture. Additionally, the video aligns with feminist ideals by challenging and subverting traditional gender roles and expectations, and connects to a broader Nordic setting through its references to local Finnish scenes and Nordic musical influences. © 2026 selection and editorial matter, Anna-Elena Pääkkölä, Mathias Bonde Korsgaard and John Richardson; individual chapters, the contributors.
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