TV: Postmodernism and Deutschland 83

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

The East is typically depicted as providing little resources and enjoyment to its residents and as being rigid and repressive, in contrast to the West, which is rich of popular culture and infinite resources that citizens can use to enjoy freedom.

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

Culture is becoming more media-ized, but it is also becoming less aware of its historical background. Documentaries and media portrayals of history serve as its foundation. This can be used to Deutschland 83 since, despite having the cold war as a backdrop, the plot is made up and doesn't really depict how people would have lived at the period.

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

We can see the contrast between East and West Germany in the party scenes.

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

By portraying the East as hospitable, loving, and somewhat modern in certain aspects, it challenges stereotypes. Martin arrives home to a sunny yard, greeting his family and friends. a gathering of young people drinking beer and dancing to the song "99 Luftballoons" in a room. This portrays the East as a loving and close-knit society rather than a repressive government.

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

The 1980s song "sweet dreams are made of this" gives Martin a taste of the West.

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

Given that the main character, Moritz/Martin, is an East German communist who is being used by his own side, it is likely intended for a post-unification audience that questions Cold War interpretations of "reality."

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)?

Since Cohen has only ever been interviewed in character, his voice is that of his fictitious persona.

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

This is applicable because Deutschland is based on the cold war, the documents that were made public after the war, and how the show tries to showcase German history. However, it is done in a way that encourages viewers to watch the show rather than going to learn more about the cold war through books or libraries.

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

Celebrity culture's modern ascent thanks to programmes like Big Brother. Nowadays, a lot of superstars are more well-known for their fame than for their skills or talents.

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?

The show is based on the cold war and etc.

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

It speaks of the process of combining and juxtaposing both new and ancient texts to create a new meaning. However, Martin's entire story was made up but inserted in such a way that it made it seem somewhat real because he was also based on the concepts of the spies used during the war. In a way, this can be applied to the entire narrative of Deutschland and how it is based on the Cold War.

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.

Through the use of branding, technology, and music, postmodernism can be used to create nostalgia for the audience. Although postmodernism emphasises that there is no single one truth, which is what the show does, communism could theoretically be seen as a "grand narrative." 

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

When Martin is on the Bench and his trainer discusses how they want the public to be obese and submissive so that the government can take control of them, it is clear that they are portraying the Eastern side as the "good side" and the Western side as the "bad side."

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

For instance, despite the general centralization of politics, where the ideology of the Labour and Conservative parties might be considered as being basically similar, the traditional concepts of "left wing" and "right wing" are still utilised regularly.