Deutschland 83 Case Study

 Deutschland 83: case study blog tasks

Work through the following tasks to build a detailed case study for Deutschland 83. This will give you plenty of background information to use in an exam question. Remember, for this CSP the question could be on any of the key concepts: language, industries, audiences or representations.

Introduction: Reviews and features

Read the following reviews and features on Deutschland 83:

The Guardian - Your next box set: Deutschland 83
The Guardian - Deutschland 83 Pity the Germans don't like it

1) Find one positive aspect and one criticism of Deutschland 83 in the reviews.

Positive Aspect:

• Deutschland 83 was praised for its gripping storyline, compelling characters, and authentic portrayal of Cold War tensions, providing an engaging experience.

Criticism:

• Some reviews criticised Deutschland 83 for Cold War stereotypes and oversimplifying complex historical event.

2) Why does the second Guardian article suggest the Germans didn't like the show?

The second Guardian article suggests that Germans didn't like the show because it portrayed East Germans in a negative light, stereotyping and overlooking the life in East Germany during the Cold War era. Additionally, some Germans found the portrayal of historical events and characters to be inaccurate or exaggerated.

3) Find three 'below the line' comments from either of the Guardian articles. What did the audience think of Deutschland 83? Do you agree with the comments?

1. "As a German, I'm really disappointed by this series. It's full of clichés and stereotypes. It feels like it was made for an American audience who have a very limited idea of what Germany was like in the 1980s."
2. "I loved Deutschland 83! It's refreshing to see a spy thriller from a German perspective. Sure, it takes liberties with history, but it's entertainment, not a documentary."
3. "I found Deutschland 83 to be gripping and exciting. Yes, it may not be entirely accurate, but it's a TV show, not a history lesson. Let's just enjoy it for what it is."

Promotional interview

Channel 4 News: Matt Frei interviews Jonas Nay



1) What does Jonas Nay say about growing up in a united Germany? 

Jonas Nay, who played the lead role in "Deutschland 83," has mentioned in interviews that growing up in a united Germany gave him a different perspective on the Cold War era compared to those who lived through it. He has expressed how the show provided him with an opportunity to explore and understand the tensions and complexities of the period, which were not as directly experienced by his generation.

2) The Channel 4 News interview is conducted in German with English subtitles. How does this reflect Channel 4's remit as a public service broadcaster and their target audience? (Clue: revise your work on Channel 4 and Public Service Broadcasting here!)

Conducting the Channel 4 News interview in German with English subtitles reflects the broadcaster's commitment to diversity and inclusivity, allowing multicultural audiences access to international perspectives.

3) Interviewer Matt Frei asks about the current political situation in Germany. Why might this interest the a Channel 4 audience?

The Channel 4 audience might be interested in the current political situation in Germany because it provides insight into a major European ally and its impact on global politics and relations, including post-Brexit.

Textual analysis: Audience pleasures and representations

We need to consider the audience pleasures of Deutschland 83 alongside various representations created in the first episode.

Type up your analysis from the lesson using the headings below. You may want to watch the key scenes again and develop your notes in further detail - the more specific and memorable your analysis, the better it will serve you when writing an essay on TV drama. Here's a Google doc we have worked on in past Media lessons on this topic - feel free to use these notes alongside your own. You'll need to use your Greenford Google login to access this.

Scene 1: Garden/BBQ scenes (East & West Germany)

4.58 – 8.20 and 34.00 – 37.20

Make notes under the following headings:

• Technical codes – particularly mise-en-scene
• Representation of East & West Germany / Family / Gender

Scene 2: Martin/Moritz first sees the West German supermarket 

14.30 – 20.25

Make notes under the following headings:

• Technical codes – particularly mise-en-scene
• Audio codes – particularly music
• Representation of East & West Germany / Communism & Capitalism / Historical accuracy
• Audience pleasures

Scene 3: Training montage scene when Martin/Moritz learns how to be a spy

20.40 – 22.40

Make notes under the following headings:

• Technical codes – particularly camerawork and editing
• Audio codes
• Audience pleasures
• Intertextuality

Scene 4: Briefcase scene when Martin/Moritz is stealing the NATO nuclear plans

31.13 – 33.30

Make notes under the following headings:

• Technical codes – particularly camerawork and editing
• Audio codes – diegetic and non-diegetic sound
• Audience pleasures

You will do the majority of this textual analysis work in class - this section of your case study simply requires typing up your notes in an easy and memorable way (bullet points are fine).

Production and industry contexts

Deutschland 83 was produced by German production company UFA Fiction and distributed internationally by Fremantle International. It was broadcast on RTL (Germany), SundanceTV (US) and Channel 4 (UK) as well as many other broadcasters around the world.

1) What kind of company is UFA Fiction and what shows have they produced? 

UFA Fiction is a German production company known for producing high-quality television dramas and series. Some of the shows they have produced include "Deutschland 83," "Babylon Berlin," "Dark," "NSU German History X," and "Charité."

2) What kind of company is Freemantle and what do they produce?

Fremantle is a global entertainment company known for producing popular reality shows, scripted dramas, game shows, and lifestyle programs.

3) How does Deutschland 83 reflect the international nature of television production?

Deutschland 83 reflects the international television production through its collaborative co-production, multilingual dialogue, and global distribution, showcasing how TV shows cater to diverse audiences worldwide.

Walter Presents

Watch this Channel 4 trailer for their Walter Presents international drama:

 

1) How does Channel 4 introduce 'Walter'?

2) What audience are Channel 4 trying to appeal to with the 'Walter Presents' series?

3) How does the 'Walter Presents' series reflect the changing nature of television in the digital age?


Marketing and promotion

Trailer



1) What audience pleasures are suggested by the trailer? Think about Uses & Gratifications theory (Blumler and Katz).

The trailer for "Deutschland 83" suggests audience pleasures such as seeking information about historical events and identifying with relatable characters, and engaging in social interaction through discussions and sharing opinions.

2) How does the trailer use action and enigma codes (Barthes) to encourage the audience to watch the show?

Action and enigma codes are storytelling techniques used in trailers to engage viewers. Action codes include thrilling visuals and high-stakes situations, while enigma codes involve teasing mysteries and withholding information. By using these codes, trailers create excitement and curiosity.

3) The only words heard in the trailer are in English. Why do you think the UK trailer avoided subtitles or German dialogue?

Using only English dialogue in the UK trailer allows accessibility for the English-speaking audience, simplifying communication.

Press pack

Read the Channel 4 press pack interview with writer Anna Winger. (If the link doesn't work, you can find the text from the interview here). 

1) How did she use the historical context and real-life events to create a successful drama?

Anna Winger effectively crafted a successful drama in "Deutschland 83" by authentically portraying the historical period of 1983 in East and West Germany, incorporating real events like the Able Archer 83 NATO exercise, and personal stories with larger themes.

2) Anna Winger discusses the use of music. Why might the soundtrack attract an audience?

The soundtrack can attract an audience by creating emotions, atmosphere, and providing a deeper connection to the story and characters.

Press release

Read this Channel 4 press release on the success of Deutschland 83. (If the link doesn't work you can find find the text from the article here).

1) List the key statistics concerning audience figures. Why was it considered the most successful foreign language drama?

Key statistics concerning audience figures for "Deutschland 83" included high ratings and high viewership numbers. It was considered the most successful foreign language drama due to its ground breaking storytelling, widespread international popularity, and its role in retelling interest in German television abroad.

2) How does the press release describe Deutschland 83?

The press release describes "Deutschland 83" as a ground breaking, foreign language drama series that captivated audiences worldwide with its compelling storytelling and authentic portrayal of Cold War tensions in 1980s Germany.

International marketing

Look at these two different marketing campaigns - the UK DVD release (left) and the American Sundance TV advert (right).




1) How does the UK DVD cover communicate the sub-genre of the drama?

The UK DVD cover communicates the sub-genre of the drama through imagery and text that emphasises its thriller elements, such as covert operations, gadgets, and confrontations.

2) How do these use font, colour and graphics to appeal to an audience?

The UK DVD cover uses bold fonts, intense colours, and graphics to appeal to the audience's sense of excitement, effectively conveying the drama's thrilling and suspenseful nature.

3) Why might the distributors Freemantle International have used different marketing campaigns in different countries?

Freemantle International might have used different marketing campaigns in different countries to change their approach to local cultural preferences.