Das Leben der Anderen - Historical and Social Background

When was the Stasi founded?

8. Februar 1950

How do you say 'smell sample' and 'sleep withdrawal' in german?

"die Geruchsprobe" and "der Schlafentzug"

How does Wiesler's flat fit into the wider historical and social context of the film?

Erich Honecker became the Erster Sekretaer des Zentral-Monitees der DDR in Mai 1971. He introduced a 5-year plan to improve living standards in the GDR - the Plattenbauten flats in which Wiesler lives are a typical example of the investments made in Honecker's 5-year plan

On what day in history do we see Wiesler and Lieutenant Siegler steaming open letters for the Stasi?

Fall der Berliner Mauer - 9. November 1989

How do you say "demotion as punishment" and "to steam open" in german?

"die Strafversetzung" and "aufdampfen"

Who does Dreyman know within the high society of the GDR?

He is a personal friend of Erich Honecker's wife, Margot. This affords him certain privileges and a degree of protection in the GDR. When discussing Dreyman at the beginning of the film, Hempf mentions to Grubitz that Dreyman has "maechtige Freunde"

How does the context of German literature come into the story of the film?

Jerska retreats into his beloved Arts when the work-ban is placed on him, sitting alone at Dreyman's party and reading poems by Brecht. Later on, Wiesler enters the flat and removes the book of poems, shown later whilst reading "Erinnerung an die Marie A" by Brecht, and being visibly moved

What song appears throughout to highlight the morality in the film?

The song "Versuch es", sung by the GDR group Bayon, plays whilst Dreyman is writing his article and Wiesler is listening to what is happening. It encourages the listener to "versuche, gut zu sein"

How do you say this in german: "After 1977 the GDR stopped publishing suicide statistics"

"Ab dem Jahr 1977 hoerte der DDR,a uf, Statistiken ueber Selbstmord zu veroeffentlichen"

How do you say this in german: "At that time, only Hungary had a higher suicide rate in Europe"

"Zu der Zeit hatte nur Ungarn in Europa eine hoehere Selbstmordrate"