Deutschland 83: case study blog tasks

 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.

One positive aspect mentioned in the reviews is that the show is exciting and entertaining. Critics liked the Cold War spy storyline and the use of 1980s music, which makes the series feel energetic and nostalgic.

One criticism is that some reviewers felt the story was a bit unrealistic or simplified. Some people thought the show did not always represent the political situation in East and West Germany accurately.

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

The article suggests that German audiences did not like the show because the viewing figures were quite low when it aired in Germany. Some German viewers also felt the show treated the Cold War period too lightly and turned serious history into entertainment.

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?

One comment said the show was very stylish and enjoyable, especially because of the 1980s soundtrack.
Another comment said the show was fun to watch but not completely accurate historically.
A third comment said it was exciting and fast-paced compared with many other TV dramas.

Overall, many viewers thought the show was entertaining and different from typical TV dramas.

I partly agree with these comments because the show is entertaining and the music makes it memorable. However, some parts of the story may be simplified to make the drama more exciting.

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 explains that he grew up after Germany had already been reunited. Because of this, he did not personally experience the division between East and West Germany. He says the show helped him understand what life was like during that time.

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!)

The interview is in German with subtitles because Channel 4 wants to keep the programme authentic while still making it understandable for UK audiences. As a public service broadcaster, Channel 4 often shows international content and encourages audiences to engage with different cultures.

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

This might interest Channel 4 viewers because the audience is often interested in international politics and current affairs. It also helps connect the historical events in the show with modern political issues in Europe.

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).

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

Technical codes (mise-en-scene)

In East Germany the setting looks simple and modest, with plain clothes and basic food. The house and garden look smaller and less colourful.

In West Germany the garden looks larger and more colourful. People wear fashionable clothes and there is more food and drink available.

Representation

East Germany is represented as more controlled and less wealthy. The focus is on family and community.

West Germany is represented as richer and more modern, with more freedom and consumer goods. Women are mainly shown in traditional roles such as preparing food and hosting.

Scene 2: Martin sees the West German supermarket

Technical codes (mise-en-scene)

The supermarket is very bright and full of products. The shelves are packed with food, which shows the huge amount of choice available in the West.

Audio codes

Upbeat 1980s music plays in the background. This makes the moment feel exciting and slightly overwhelming for Martin.

Representation

The scene represents capitalism as offering freedom and choice. West Germany looks wealthy and modern compared to East Germany, which had fewer consumer goods.

Audience pleasures

The audience enjoys seeing Martin’s reaction because it highlights the cultural differences between East and West. The scene also creates nostalgia for the 1980s.

Scene 3: Spy training montage

Technical codes

The montage uses fast editing and quick cuts to show Martin learning new skills. Close-up shots show important details such as documents and spy equipment.

Audio codes

Energetic 1980s music plays during the montage.

Audience pleasures

The scene is exciting and shows Martin transforming from an ordinary soldier into a spy.

Intertextuality

The scene is similar to training sequences in other spy films, such as the James Bond movies.

Scene 4: Briefcase scene (stealing NATO plans)

Technical codes

The scene uses close-ups and slow editing to build suspense. The camera focuses on the briefcase and Martin’s actions.

Audio codes

There are quiet background sounds and tense music that increase the suspense.

Audience pleasures

The audience feels tension and excitement because Martin could easily get caught.

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 television production company that creates drama series and films. It produced Deutschland 83 and other German TV dramas.

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

Fremantle is an international media company that produces and distributes television programmes. It sells shows to broadcasters around the world.

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

The show was produced in Germany but distributed internationally and shown in several countries including the UK and the US. This shows how television dramas are now made for global audiences.


Walter Presents

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

1) How does Channel 4 introduce 'Walter'?
Channel 4 introduces Walter as a television expert who searches the world for high-quality foreign dramas to share with UK audiences
2) What audience are Channel 4 trying to appeal to with the 'Walter Presents' series?

The series is aimed at viewers who enjoy international drama and are willing to watch shows with subtitles.

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

It reflects how audiences now watch TV online and are more open to international shows. Streaming services and digital platforms make foreign-language programmes easier to access.

Marketing and promotion

Trailer



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

The trailer suggests entertainment and excitement through action scenes, suspense and the spy storyline. It also offers escapism and nostalgia because of the 1980s setting and music.

2) How does the trailer use action and enigma codes (Barthes) to encourage the audience to watch the show?
The trailer uses action scenes like spying and secret missions to create excitement. It also creates mystery by making the audience wonder whether Martin will succeed or get caught.
3) The only words heard in the trailer are in English. Why do you think the UK trailer avoided subtitles or German dialogue?

The trailer probably avoids subtitles to make it easier for UK audiences to watch. It focuses more on action and visuals so viewers are interested even without understanding German dialogue.


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 used real Cold War events and historical details to make the story feel realistic. She researched the time period so the drama would feel authentic.
2) Anna Winger discusses the use of music. Why might the soundtrack attract an audience?
The soundtrack includes well-known 1980s songs, which creates nostalgia and makes the show more exciting and memorable.


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?

The first episode attracted around 2.5 million viewers in the UK. It was described as the most successful foreign-language drama on British television at the time.

2) How does the press release describe Deutschland 83?

The press release describes Deutschland 83 as a successful and critically acclaimed Cold War spy drama.


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 suggests the spy thriller genre through dark colours, serious expressions and military imagery.

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

Bold fonts and strong colours are used to make the show look dramatic and intense. The design reflects the Cold War setting and spy theme.

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

Different marketing campaigns are used because audiences in different countries have different tastes. Distributors change the advertising to appeal to each specific market.