Deutschland 83 case study
Our second television close-study product is critically
acclaimed German cold war spy drama Deutschland 83.
Just like our work on Capital, we need to know everything about Deutschland 83 - from textual analysis of key scenes to how it was funded, distributed and promoted. The notes from the lesson are here:
Historical context: The Cold War
The Cold War was a political dispute between the Eastern Bloc (the Soviet Union – Russia and 14 other states) and the Western Bloc (USA and NATO allies including the UK). It took place from 1947 to 1989.
There was never large-scale fighting between the two sides but on at least two occasions the world came close to a fully-nuclear World War 3.
The Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall was a symbol of the Cold War, constructed
after the Berlin crisis of 1961.
It divided Communist-controlled East Berlin and
NATO-supporting West Berlin. East Germans were not allowed to cross the border
for a better life in the West – many were shot trying to climb over the wall.
The East German government eventually allowed people to
freely cross the border on 9 November 1989.
1983: a critical year in the Cold War
The Cold War almost boiled over into nuclear war in 1983
when a NATO exercise called Able Archer caused some politicians in East Germany
and the Soviet Union to believe the USA was planning a nuclear first-strike.
Deutschland 83 screening
We will watch the CSP episode - Season 1, Episode 1 - in class. It is also available here on the All4 website for streaming Channel 4 programmes.
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.
Reviews and features
Read the following reviews and features on Deutschland 83:
1) What positive aspects of Deutschland 83 are highlighted in the reviews?
Deutschland 83’s first episode of eight was the most-watched
foreign-language drama in UK history. There was a lot of positive comments
on the show but mainly from people who didn't live in
Germany one comment read the pleasure came from the little details of
life on the other side of the Iron Curtain. 1983 isn't so long ago, but
Communist East Germany now looks like another planet.
2) What criticisms are made of the show?
By the main focus of the story being Martin Rauch, a young
East German border guard going undercover in the west, it doesn’t just make the
traditional west german viewer empathise with a Stasi agent on a human level –
in the way The Lives of Others did – it makes us engage with the socialist
regime’s worldview, in which a military exercise in West Germany poses a
potentially existential threat.
3) Why did the Telegraph suggest that Deutschland 83 did
the 'period' aspect of 'period drama' so well?
The use of real news footage of Erich Honecker, the
East German leader and the televised excerpt from Ronald Reagan's "Evil
Empire" speech in 1983 brang a historical context to the shows
authentic nature as it depicted real life events that engaged the viewers to
the point they actually felt like they were experiencing life in 1983.
Interviews and behind-the-scenes video features
Interviews and behind-the-scenes video features
Channel 4 News: Matt Frei interviews Jonas Nay
1) What does Jonas Nay say about growing up in a united Germany?
He learned about the Cold War in school, however there was
more focus on WW2 because it connected deeply to his parents youth as this was
the life they lived and how they grew up but he claims that there is no more
"West vs East" and enjoys his freedom without being monitored.
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!)
Channel 4 says they aim to "deliver high-quality,
innovative, alternative content that challenges the status quo" and
conducting the interview in German promotes alternative foreign content. This
shows the diversity they offer to their widen audience.
3) Interviewer Matt Frei asks about the current political situation in Germany. Why might this interest the Channel 4 News audience?
Because the audience may become intrigues about how the
history of Germany has shaped the world we live in today, so having an account
from a German gives them an insight to their current situation. Offering
viewpoints from the people from the area can help sculpt the viewer’s opinions
on the situation.
Behind the scenes clips
Behind the scenes clips
The All4 website has a range of clips from behind the scenes of Deutschland 83. Watch the following:
Making Of: Why Should You Watch Deutschland 83
Watch this short
promotional clip for Deutschland 83.
Behind the scenes clips
Making Of: Why Should You Watch Deutschland 83
Watch this short promotional clip for Deutschland 83.
1) Why should audiences watch Deutschland 83 - what does the
clip offer viewers?
The drama is described as a 'journey' alongside the
characters; once the viewers begin the show, they will feel drawn in and want
to finish this journey with them. It’s interesting for the older and younger
generation, Fast-paced and action packed, Educates them and it Examines the
period for young viewers.
2) Why is history an important aspect of the appeal of the show?
A lot of people that would be watching this would've either
lived through the cold war and are experiencing it again in a different way, or
they would be a younger generation who want to know more about what happened,
without having to sit through a boring history lesson.
3) What technical aspects are highlighted in the video?
Cinematography, costume, and production work.
Making Of: Set Design
Watch this interview
with Production designer Lars Lange.
1) Why were the set design, costume and props so important for Deutschland 83?
Because it's set in 1983, in locations which needed to look
different, it's so important to get it right. Accuracy is key because the show
includes real events, so it needs to look as realistic as possible.
2) How historically accurate was the setting, costume and props?
It was interesting that this is the closest to the truth' as
people actually dont know what certain things actually looked like during the
real life events as they were kept a secret - such as the monitoring stations,
therefore they did as much research as they could to get the best idea of what
they would of looked like. on the other hand other settings and props were very
accurate as they used original motifs of the museum to recreate it, and also
rented out the original Robotron computers.
3) Why were the props, costumes and music such a key audience pleasure for Deutschland 83?
It has a sense of nostalgia, especially for an older
audience. people remember that and those times which make them enjoy the show a
lot more.
Textual analysis: trailer
1) The opening of the trailer uses sound and editing to draw
the audience in. Explain why this is effective.
It begins with Ronald Reagan's speech and goes straight into very dramatic music, followed by clips of intense moments in the series. The use of a split screen highlights the differences between the east and the west. The editing matches the music which makes it look a lot more appealing.
2) What audience pleasures are suggested by the trailer? Think about Uses & Gratifications theory (Blumler and Katz).
Diversion would probably be the main audience pleasure as there are many scenes which include violence, as would be expected in a drama or spy thriller. Nostalgia/personal identity is also another audience pleasure as the music used in the trailer at the end would be something that people remember from the 80s.
It begins with Ronald Reagan's speech and goes straight into very dramatic music, followed by clips of intense moments in the series. The use of a split screen highlights the differences between the east and the west. The editing matches the music which makes it look a lot more appealing.
2) What audience pleasures are suggested by the trailer? Think about Uses & Gratifications theory (Blumler and Katz).
Diversion would probably be the main audience pleasure as there are many scenes which include violence, as would be expected in a drama or spy thriller. Nostalgia/personal identity is also another audience pleasure as the music used in the trailer at the end would be something that people remember from the 80s.
3) How does the trailer use action and enigma codes
(Barthes) to encourage the audience to watch the show?
Enigma codes are created as through a few seconds of certain
scenes being shown, briefly introducing the audience to some of the characters
in the show and giving them an idea of what events might occur.
4) Pick three shots/scenes from the trailer that capture the
spy thriller sub-genre. Why might this appeal to an audience? Try and apply
Neale's genre theory 'repetition and difference' (the original notes on genre
theory are here).
Three shots / scenes would be when a hand grabs Martin's
shoulder from behind him, when somebody in a bullet proof vest and helmet walk
in shooting a gun and when he opens the door and someone is pointing a gun at
him. These scenes capture the spy thriller sub-genre as there is the black
glove suggests that somebody is trying not to get caught as this part of a
costume / prop is often seen when somebody doesn’t want to leave their
fingerprints on something
5) Pick three examples of mise-en-scene from the trailer that capture the 1983 setting the confirm the sub-genre of period drama. Why might this appeal to an audience?
The scene where he gets beaten up by a women whilst spying
in her room.
The change of costume when martin comes to the West.
The use of technology that is not seemed to be used now.
6) The trailer uses the song 'Two Tribes' by Frankie Goes To
Hollywood. Why did the producers select this soundtrack for the trailer?
The songs narrative is that the two superpower countries are at war, which very clearly links to the narrative of the series. Again linking back to the idea of nostalgia, this song came out in 1984, appealing to an older audience who remember this song.
7) The only words heard in the trailer are in English. Why do you think the UK trailer avoided subtitles or German dialogue?
If an audience knew it was in German, it might've put them off as they would've thought it wasn't as good as if it was in English. By only hearing English words, it surprises the audience when they actually watch it and because it's quite gripping they don't feel put off by it.
Production and industry context
Deutschland 83 was produced by German production company UFA Fiction and distributed internationally by FremantleMedia International. It was broadcast on RTL (Germany), SundanceTV (US) and Channel 4 (UK) as well as many other broadcasters around the world.
1) Read this Freemantle Media press release on the worldwide success of Deutschland 83. How is the drama described by the distributor? Why was it considered such an international success?
The CEO describes it as the compelling series that captivated viewers around the world. The show was produced by award winning creators and directors.
2) Read this Freemantle Media press release on Deutschland 83 becoming Channel 4's highest rated foreign drama. What was the consolidated viewing figure for Episode 1 of Deutschland 83? What praise for Deutschland 83 is included in the press release?
It had 2.5 million viewers. They said that the show is a subtitles sensation, how the soundtrack is powerful, how its the best show of the year and that it's gripping.
3) How does the press release promote the Channel 4 'Walter Presents' collection of international TV drama?
The show is subtitles into English for domestic viewers, Walter Presents reviewing and promoting this means that the collection of TV Drama that they recommend will be taken as seriously in both domestic and international languages.
The songs narrative is that the two superpower countries are at war, which very clearly links to the narrative of the series. Again linking back to the idea of nostalgia, this song came out in 1984, appealing to an older audience who remember this song.
7) The only words heard in the trailer are in English. Why do you think the UK trailer avoided subtitles or German dialogue?
If an audience knew it was in German, it might've put them off as they would've thought it wasn't as good as if it was in English. By only hearing English words, it surprises the audience when they actually watch it and because it's quite gripping they don't feel put off by it.
Production and industry context
Deutschland 83 was produced by German production company UFA Fiction and distributed internationally by FremantleMedia International. It was broadcast on RTL (Germany), SundanceTV (US) and Channel 4 (UK) as well as many other broadcasters around the world.
1) Read this Freemantle Media press release on the worldwide success of Deutschland 83. How is the drama described by the distributor? Why was it considered such an international success?
The CEO describes it as the compelling series that captivated viewers around the world. The show was produced by award winning creators and directors.
2) Read this Freemantle Media press release on Deutschland 83 becoming Channel 4's highest rated foreign drama. What was the consolidated viewing figure for Episode 1 of Deutschland 83? What praise for Deutschland 83 is included in the press release?
It had 2.5 million viewers. They said that the show is a subtitles sensation, how the soundtrack is powerful, how its the best show of the year and that it's gripping.
3) How does the press release promote the Channel 4 'Walter Presents' collection of international TV drama?
The show is subtitles into English for domestic viewers, Walter Presents reviewing and promoting this means that the collection of TV Drama that they recommend will be taken as seriously in both domestic and international languages.
Production and industry context
Deutschland 83 was produced by German production company
UFA Fiction and distributed internationally by FremantleMedia International. It
was broadcast on RTL (Germany), SundanceTV (US) and Channel 4 (UK) as well as
many other broadcasters around the world.
1) Read this Freemantle Media press release on the
worldwide success of Deutschland 83. How is the drama described by the
distributor? Why was it considered such an international success?
“Deutschland 83 has
become the must-have European drama series of the year. Having attracted
critical acclaim in the US and now the attention of this impressive list of
buyers, the compelling series is all set to captivate viewers around the
world.”
2) Read this Freemantle Media press release on
Deutschland 83 becoming Channel 4's highest rated foreign drama. What was the
consolidated viewing figure for Episode 1 of Deutschland 83? What praise for
Deutschland 83 is included in the press release?
It had 2.5 million
viewers. They said that the show is a subtitles sensation, how the soundtrack
is powerful, how its the best show of the year and that it's gripping.
3) How does the press release promote the Channel 4
'Walter Presents' collection of international TV drama?
The show is subtitles into English for domestic viewers,
Walter Presents reviewing and promoting this means that the collection of TV
Drama that they recommend will be taken as seriously in both domestic and
international languages
Walter Presents
1) How does Channel 4 introduce 'Walter'?
They introduce him as a man with 'impeccable taste' who
spends his time watching series and picks the best ones for channel 4.
2) The audience that Channel 4 are trying to appeal to with the 'Walter Presents' series are a niche audience, who enjoy watching art-house cinema.
3) The 'Walter Presents' series reflect the changing nature
of television in the digital age because most of the dramas are available on
demand and online. They make the audience aware that box sets are available
online which intrigues the audiences, especially the young viewers.
Marketing and promotion
1) Read the programme information from the press pack. How does the programme information seek to interest a reader from the first paragraph?
It makes the reader question why was Martin picked, what
will they do with the NATO files and how the tension between the two
superpowers increase. Because it's based off 'real events', the reader gains
the gratification of learning about the war and also brings up nostalgia for
those who could remember this specific time of the war.
2) What does the programme information suggest the main
strengths of the programme are?
They call the programme 'stylish, fast-paced and utterly
gripping'. Both sides of Germany are considered in the narrative.
3) Read the press pack interview with writer Anna Winger. How did she use the historical context and real-life events to create a successful drama?
She interviewed politicians, former and current intelligence
officials and just regular people for further knowledge on the facts. They
gave the perspective of both sides of the show and through the life of a spy,
something that most other shows haven't done. This gave the audience a good
insight into both sides, they get to see or find out something they never knew
before.
One part of creating the the detail of the drama is that the
cast and crew all had their experiences of what Germany was before and/or after
the wall came down and they also worked a lot on this show to create it as
accurate as they could while still being entertaining.
4) Anna Winger discusses the use of music. Why might the
soundtrack attract an audience?
The idea of nostalgia comes into play here too. People are
familiar with the 80s soundtrack.
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 copy on the wall just above both sides of his head
('Over the wall', 'Undercover') is a clear indication to a spy drama. The Radio
Times review quote also hints towards the sub-genre.
2) Analyse the mise-en-scene in the UK DVD cover. What does it communicate to the audience?
The DVD cover has used colour on only half of the
poster/wall. This hints at it being set on both sides of the wall. It also
highlights that the west was a much brighter, more desirable place to be
compared to the east which looks dark and grey. The use of the Walkman as a
prop will attract an older audience as it's nostalgic and something they're
familiar with.
3) The American branding uses font, colour and graphics to appeal to an audience as they have used a vibrant approach. They have used a san serif font and it's very urban so lures the younger audience in. They have used bright colours to intrigue the audience. The graphics could suggest that the show is war related.
4) Why might the distributors Freemantle Media International have used different marketing campaigns in different countries?
They did this to widen their audience
