LFTVD - Deuschland 83 Flashcards
Who are the key characters within D83?
Martin - The protagonist
Lenora - Martins aunt (Part of the East German permanent mission in Bonn)
What is some of the industrial aspects behind Deutschland 83?
-First German language TV series broadcasted in US and shown there 5 months earlier than Germany (success driven by its anti-soviet and cold war theme)
-Written by Anna and Jörg Winger who aimed to tell a good story > write textbook history
-Sold in 20 countries
-Produced by UFA for RTL with an 8 episode Scandinavian model
-Launched Channel 4s ‘Walter Presents’ service in 2016 with a selection of European LFTVD
-Best foreign language drama in the UK at the time with over 3 million viewers
How was Deutschland 83 promoted?
-Sundance TV’s interactive sliding picture tool showing audiences comparison between past and present
-Different styles of poster to target different audiences in different countries
-Channel 4 80s Spotify playlist with songs from the show (promoted online)
-80s infographics to remind people what the era was like, targeting people who liked that age
-Cast and crew tweeted, did interviews with magazines/newspapers/websites to promote show
-Trailers and promotional clips shared to social media
-Hashtags and tagging on social media
What are some of the binary opposites seen in Deutschland 83?
Capitalism v Communism
Utopia v Dystopia
Rich v Poor
Freedom v Control
Them v Us
What are some representations of East Germany in Deutschland 83?
-Strong family values
-Communal
-Niche culture and entertainment (Martin doesn’t understand what black music is)
-Poor and distressed (Martins mother can’t afford a kidney transplant)
-Patriarchal
-Sneaky (Books and coffee smuggled in)
What are some representations of West Germany in Deutschland 83?
-More luxurious life in the West
-Upper class, rich culture
-West are more in touch with wider culture than East Germany
-Sophisticated
What are some representations of West Germany in Deutschland 83?
-More luxurious life in the West
-Upper class, rich culture
-West are more in touch with wider culture than East Germany
-Sophisticated
What is some of the media language seen within the East German BBQ?
-House is very run down with traditional furniture
-Characters costume is traditional
-Smoking indoors
-Lots of close ups, medium shots and long shots demonstrating how crowded the house is
What is some of the media language seen within the West German garden party?
-House is very big and modern
-Lots of food available and quite posh dishes
-Waiters serving food, champagne and wine
-Colours are more vivid over desaturated
-Formal clothing
-Diversity only seen with General Jackson (not much cultural diversity overall)
-Camera circles Martin and the characters (to create suspense that Martin is being closed in on)
What is some of the media language seen within Martin/Moritz spy training montage?
-Fast pace of editing
-Compilation style
-Lots of mirrors and glass shots - to make audience feel like spy’s
-Split screen is a physical representation of the Berin Wall
-Upbeat music, building tension and excitement
-Sound effects
What could be some intertextuality within the training montage?
-James Bond style
-Rocky training montage
What is some of the media language seen in the West German supermarket scene?
-Big West German house that Martin escapes
-Modern clothing with brands like Puma
-Record player (1980s tech)
-Police eating ice cream - more relaxed than East Germany
-Camera behind Martin as he runs (audience is following)
-Starts off with ominous music that fades into American music (Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams)
What are some of the representations seen within the West German supermarket scene?
-West Germany is more privileged
-Martin is confused
-West Germany is incredibly different to the East
What is some of the political/historical context behind D83?
-Set in 1983 during the Cold War when there were massive political tensions between East and West
-Germany was in the middle and was split after WW2 with Berlin also split by the Berlin Wall in 1961
-Each episode in named after the NATO exercise Martins operations are trying to uncover
-Opening scene depicts East German Foreign Intelligence (HVA) as seeing Reagan/US as a ‘danger to mankind’ while he sees the USSR as an ‘evil empire’
How can you apply Curran and Seaton to D83?
-Produced by a conglomerate
-Arguably represents diverse choice/creative risk by being German language
How can you apply Livingstone and Lunt to D83?
-Shown at 9pm post watershed
-Can be streamed on all 4
How can you apply Hesmondhalgh to D83?
-American writer reduces risk and makes show more mainstream/commercial for a global audience
How can you apply hooks to D83?
-Key black character in position of power
-However he is male showing that gender still allows him privileges
How can you apply Gilroy to D83?
-Key character of colour might offer a challenge to this.
How can you apply Butler to D83?
-Varied gender roles within narrative including women in power
-No ‘gender trouble’, women are feminine in their appearance.
How can you apply Van Zoonen to D83?
-Some degree of objectification of Yvonne, some challenging of traditional gender roles
-Relationships largely typical of time as East Germany was less patriarchal
How can you apply Hall’s representation theory to D83?
-Black man in position of power
-Women in positions of power
How can you apply Gauntlett to D83?
-Representations within show may be more contemporary than historical setting
-Audience may identify with West as morally superior
How can you apply Gerbner to D83?
-Positioning the West as the ‘good’ force
-Shapes the way audiences see global politics
How can you apply Shirky to D83?
-Online/social media used to promote show (except in Germany) and engage with fans
-Use of website with ‘slider’
How can you apply Bandura to D83?
-May influence audience to buy into binary representation of East vs West
How can you apply Jenkins to D83?
-Arguably ASOS marketing tie-ins enable audiences to engage in active fandom
How can you apply Hall’s reception theory to D83?
-Unpopular/oppositional reading in Germany perhaps because of simplistic view on Cold War
-Preferred reading by global audiences (reviews as evidence)
