TV: Postmodernism and Deutschland 83

 Postmodernism & Deutschland 83: blog tasks

Media Magazine - A Postmodern Reimagining of the Past

1.) Media representation of the Cold War Germany was often stereotypical, fitting the binary options of good vs evil.

2.) Deutschland 83 particularly provides a good example for postmodern analysis due to its  reimagining of East and West German stereotypes, telling the story through a lens of history rather than bias unlike most media companies.

3.) The fast pace editing of the introduction of the series, I think, is significant. This is due to its parallel to multiple different moments within the actual series, the suspense and drama of this rapid montage of scenes already provides the audience with a sense of thrill even before the actual episode has started.

4.) One way the party scene at Martin’s mother’s house subverts stereotypes of East Germany in the Cold War is through its use of popular western music. Also through its joyous and happy party goers.

5.) I think that the reason for West Germany’s postmodern elements was mainly due to the rise of equality and liberation for society. Without equality and liberation I don’t think West Germany would have been much of a difference from East Germany, therefore I think liberation and equality are important factors for West Germany’s postmodernism.

6.) The article applies postmodern theory to Deutschland 83 and links it to potential target audiences due to its absence of common stereotypes of Germany within the Cold War. I think due to the series slightly unbiased and purely dramatic nature this has let the series to gain a large audience of a plethora of different people.

Postmodernism Factsheet

1.) One example of the breakdown of the distinction between culture and society is through the characters Bruno and Borat since they have more of a reality for film audiences than their creator Sacha Cohen. Cohen’s films rely on the fact that the characters he designs are seen as real personas.

2.) Fredric Jameson’s idea of “historical deafness” can be applied to Deutschland 83 due to its postmodern condition where society looses its natural association to their history, making their past see dystopian.

3.) One example of the idea of “style over substance” is through Jameson’s theory of cultural “depthlessness”. Similar to Baudrillard he views culture as being one where meaning is lost and all that remains is surface representations,

4.) There are multiple contemporary pop culture moments referenced within “Deutschland 83”, for example through its use of new wave music during the supermarket scene. Also the use of popular brand names like “Puma” to suggest the wests capitalists nature. The use of common name branding can also be considered a reference to the fashion of that era.

5.) A bricolage is the construction of something new by combining a diverse range of materials, ideas or resources already existing. “Deutschland 83” combined multiple different references to its set period of the 80’s, particularly through pop culture references, music, fashion, etc. 

6.) One of the audience pleasures of “Deutschland 83” are most likely the secrecy and the suspense that the double narrative creates due to the spy thriller genre and its characteristics. This may link to postmodernism due to its appeal and attractiveness for consumers and audiences.

 

7.) “Deutschland 83” demonstrates aspects of post modernism in its construction and ideology positioning due to its self reflexive construction with combines high stake espionage’s of the 80’s.

8.) One key scene from “Deutschland 83” that provides an aspect of the postmodern in its construction and ideological positioning is the scene in the supermarket which highlighted the wests capitalistic abundance. Also the use of common western pop music as an ironic soundtrack to tragedy and the reliance on media footage, showcasing a shift from reality to simulation.