MED- Deutschland 83

media studies

How is Deutschland 83 an example of conglomerate ownership?

Because UFA Fiction is owned by Fremantle. Fremantle is owned by RTL. RTL is owned by Bertelsmann.

How is D83 distributed in the UK and USA?

Sundanese TV distributes in USA. Channel 4 distributes in UK.

What was the government like in East Germany in D83?

Autocratic, Communist government. Dictatorship, no free election and no division of power.

What examples are there of West Germany achieving economic success over East Germany?

Lenora brings back Nescafé as a gift for her sister which highlights that coffee is a luxury in East Germany but not in the West.

Martin is overwhelmed by the resources that West Germany has in its supermarket which conveys the lack of resources in Easy Germany compared to the West.

Big conglomerates/brands such as Puma, Adidas and Levis symbolise the wealthy western culture that has been adopted by West Germany. This is in binary opposition to East Germany whose clothes do not have brand labels and are quite plain and simple.

How are the audience kept enticed?

Relatable characters with 'coming of age' problems that speak to a lot of the audience and makes it more personal.

Had a flexi-narrative which keeps the audience engaged as they want to know what happens to each person.

Quick paced editing and cuts which keeps the show moving and aligns with a younger audience who prefer quicker media.

The first episode ends on a cliff hanger which leaves the audience wondering and makes them more likely to watch the following episodes.

How did D83 attract an audience?

Anna Wringer used a real life timeline of events and conveyed the real political climate of the time which will attract an audience as some people could resonate with the historical context, and it helps the audience develop their knowledge of what actually happened.

The hybridity of the genre opens the tv show up to multiple audiences which leads to a bigger audience and more profit.

Songs were used from the top 100 songs of 1983 and this will create a sense of nostalgia for the older listeners which will attract them. Also, those songs are still popular now, so a younger audience could still be interested in D83 through the music.

Good reviews from newspapers could amplify an audience to watch D83.

How does Deutschland 83 link to Livingstone and Lunt?

It is broadcast in the UK by Channel 4 and Channel 4 is regulated by OFCOM. Showing a foreign language show can cause conflict between the content that is shown and British regulations. Later in the series, there are scenes that could be disturbing to a young audience but they show it anyway. Consumer vs citizen.

What is the impact of the establishing scene in D83?

The first scene is East German diplomats in West Germany which conveys the narratology and creates a sense of mystery (engima code).

There is also a shot of President Reagan which provides a political and historical context within the opening scene.

This first scene is crucial as it helps the audience develop an understanding of what they are watching.

How is Levi-Strauss linked to D83?

Binary opposition - for example East vs West Germany.

How can postmodernism be applied to D83?

D83 is a bricolage of Germany in the 1980s and the different cultures that are associated and reflected from people's experiences of Germany at that time.

How to apply Gilroy to D83?

The inclusion of General Jackson reinforces and subverts Gilroys post colonial theory. It reinforces it as he is the only black character in the first episode. However, it subverts it as he is a powerful and authoritarian figure who represents one of the most powerful countries in the world.

Reinforced as the narrative is focused and driven by white characters.

It also would have been watched by a predominantly white audience hence why the series aligns itself with the West so it will appeal to the audience. Too emphasise this they portray the West as better and more successful than the East.

How to apply David Gauntlett to D83?

When Martin leaves east Germany for west Germany, his whole identity is redefined as he discovers this new culture that he has to immerse himself in.

Give examples of Martin and his impact on the narrative.

The long shot of him in the supermarket shows the vast amount of resources that West Germany has compared to East Germany and this is seen through his utter bewilderment and being overwhelmed. He also is the embodiment of materialistic western values through the puma and Levi brands being shown.

The first scene where we meet him shows his authority and the censorship that is used in East Germany at the time.

This is juxtaposed with his vulnerable position when in West Germany which emphasises his loss of identity.

Name all the relevant characters.

Martin

Lenora - Aunt

General Jackson

Commander Edel

Annett - girlfriend

Yvonne Edel - daughter

Alex Edel - son

Ingrid - Martins mum

Tobias - Spy trainer/professor at uni