TV: Postmodernism and Deutschland 83

 Media Magazine - A Postmodern Reimagining of the Past

1) What were the classic media representations of the Cold War?

The West was is classically represented as full of pop-culture and unlimited resources to citizens allowing them to have freedom however in the East as giving limited resources and entertainment to their citizens and being strict and restrictive.

2) Why does Deutschland 83 provide a particularly good example for postmodern analysis? 

Deutschland 83 uses a range of historical styles and a mix of artistic styles, playfully using intertextuality, the blending of fiction with non-fiction and genre hybridity. 

3) Pick out some of the aspects of the opening of episode 1 and explain why they are significant.

Ronald Reagans 'Evil Empire' speech - important as it uses intertextual footage. Interrogation of two young men by Martin and his colleague as they have Shakespeare plays which they bought over the black market. Martin takes the plays and gives them a book written by Marx (Marxist theories and also talked about communism - links to East Germany). Martin then gives the play to his mother when going home for her birthday party. It then shows a mise-en-scene of an 80's style building (pastiche). The next scene is in Martins house, playing chess with the Stasi senior officer, who breaks Martins finger so he can fit the description of the real Moritz as he cannot play the piano, ironically there is a piano placed behind him.

4) How does the party scene at Martin's mum's house subvert stereotypes of East Germany in the Cold War?

It subverts stereotypes as it presents the East as warm, loving and modern in some ways. Martin comes home embracing his family and friends to a sunny garden. A room with young people singing and dancing to the pop song '99 luftballoons' and drinking beers. This shows the East as caring and close community rather than the restrictive state.

5) What aspects of the episode set in West Germany offer postmodern elements?

The luxury of the room where Martin is when transferred to the West with chandeliers and paintings. When Martin runs in the supermarket with 'Sweet Dreams Are Made Of These' playing in the background, he sees all the variety of different foods in the supermarket, which is colourful and vibrant. The montage sequence has a range of editing showing Martin's training  blending pastiche and artistic elements.

6) Finally, how does the article apply postmodern theory to Deutschland 83 and link it to the potential target audience?

As Moritz/Martin is a East German communist protagonist who is being manipulated by his own side, it suggests that this is aimed at a post-unification audience who challenge the Cold War versions of 'reality'.

Postmodernism Factsheet

1) Read the section on Strinati's five ways to define postmodernity. What examples are provided of the breakdown of the distinction between culture and society (media-isation)?

• Bruno and Borat - have more 'reality' for film audiences than their creator who relies on on the characters he creates as 'real' and so makes it look like they can do things that real people cannot.
• The X Factor - contestants perform a cover versions of cover versions. 

  

2) What is Fredric Jameson's idea of 'historical deafness'? How can the idea of 'historical deafness' be applied to Deutschland 83?

As media-isation increases, culture finds itself losing a sense of historical context. History is based of documentaries and media representations. This can be applied to Deutschland 83 as it has a setting of the cold war as a background but the actual storyline is fictional and a representation of how people may have lived there lives in that time.

3) What examples and theories are provided for the idea of 'style over substance'?

• People are influenced by labels and brand and will pay high prices for this. The label and packaging is much more important than the contents and the product itself.
• Modern rise of celebrities through shows like Big Brother. Many celebrities are more now famous for being famous rather than for a talent or ability.

4) What examples from music are provided for the breakdown of the distinction between art and popular culture? Can this be applied to Deutschland 83?

High art such as opera, ballet, theatre and the visual arts were only accessible for the elite whilst low art was intended for the masses. Pop music (low art) often samples classical music (high art). Advertising (low art) makes reference to visual art and/or uses classical music (high art) to sell products. Deutschland 83 uses 80s music. In the supermarket 'Sweet Dreams Are Made Of These' is playing whilst the items are constructed in places which is visually appealing (visual arts).

5) What is bricolage? What examples of bricolage can be found in Deutschland 83?

Juxtaposing old and new texts, images, ideas, or narratives to produce new meanings. When Ronald Reagans speech is played in the beginning with Martin's aunt is shown watching it showing she has some significance towards this.

6) How can the audience pleasures of Deutschland 83 be linked to postmodernism? Read 'The decline of meta-narratives' and 'Media texts and the postmodern' to help answer this.

Nostalgia can be an audience pleasure created from postmodernism through the use of branding, technology and music. Communism could potentially be seen a a 'grand narrative', however postmodernism emphasises that there is no single one truth, which is what the show does. 

7) Now look at page 4 of the factsheet. How does Deutschland 83 demonstrate aspects of the postmodern in its construction and ideological positioning?

Demonstrates due to the historical context which is portrayed in the show. The use of mise-en-scene (technology and music) reinforces this idea. However, the fictional story line is used to strengthen its narrative.

8) Which key scenes from Deutschland 83 best provide examples of postmodernism? Why?

Spy montage: the vicious training scenes parallels with James Bond

The supermarket scene: the 80s music, 'sweet dreams', cans stacking (Andy W), colourful.