TV: Deutschland 83 Close-textual analysis

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

Technical codes – particularly mise-en-scene:


  • Lighting is changed significantly as it is lower in the east than the west.
  • East is represented more bleak than the west.
  • The noise in the background in the east whilst the party is going on is higher than in the west it seem quite luxurious and posh and more sincere.
  • Costumes in the east are more casual than in the west.
Representation of East & West Germany / Family / Gender:
  • There is different representation of gender as Yvonne is spoken for within the west side of Germany emphasises the traditional aspect of gender identity.
  • There is a sense of community and togetherness in east rather than the west. 
  • The camera moves around Martin in the west, which emphasises that he is in 'danger' as he is surrounded by his 'enemies'.
  • East- reinforces stereotype of working class people- they know how to have fun.
  • West- more formal-issues/separate.
Scene 2: Martin/Moritz first sees the West German supermarket 
14.30 – 20.25
Technical codes – particularly mise-en-scene:
  • The house has dim lighting (ominous)/ outside- there is bright lighting. 
  • The costume he was wearing went from a dull colour to a brighter colour.
  • The record player in the background links to nostalgia historical element of this show.
Audio codes – particularly music
  • The scene begins with ominous music.
  • The fast paced music builds up tension- he is running away.
  • The idea of Annette that martin's aunt puts across idea of those stereotypical  gender roles.
  • The music builds up tension and is parallel as it reflect his situation especially in the supermarket.
Representation of East & West Germany / Communism & Capitalism
  •  The supermarket is full of goods alludes to the fact there is a richness in the west and there is a constructed image shown as all the items on the shelves are untouched comparing to the east where there is a lack.
  • "People are controlled by allowing them to be lazy" which means they are succumbed to the authorities.
Audience pleasures
  • Nostalgia- 80s music.
  • Surveillance- learning: "This close to World War III.", "1961-Berlin wall"- emphasises Martin's youth, links to 'coming of age'.
  • Everyone understands the concept of war.
  • There is freedom emphasised in the west as police are shown as eating ice cream whilst they are running around.

Scene 3: Training montage scene when Martin/Moritz learns how to be a spy
20.40 – 22.40:
Technical codes – particularly camerawork and editing:
  • Jump cuts- abrupt, which matches the music.
  • The edits and cuts emphasise the fact that he is learning.
  • There are variety of items shown through different things like behind tree or the window or blinds to reinforce the spy thriller aspect of the drama.
Audio codes:
  • Music- upbeat, matches the fast paced editing, emphasises the turning point in series.
  • The music is non-diagetic.
Audience pleasures:

  • There is fast paced editing which emphasise the things he is learning.
  • There is German surveillance culture shown as shots done through things. 

Intertextuality:

  • Links to spy scene as it portrays a classical training montage like other spy movies.
  • Crime thriller.
  • The gadgets links to the James Bond movies. 

Scene 4: Briefcase scene when Martin/Moritz is stealing the NATO nuclear plans31.13 – 33.30:

Technical codes – particularly camerawork and editing:

  • This scene begins through blinds again reinforces the spy theme again.
  • There is movement of camera intentionally to show documents.
  • Close ups on the lock, important bits of the document papers and his face.
  • Constant surveillance- the high angle shot implies that he is being watched like a CCTV, the low angle shot show his face.

Audio codes – diagetic and non-diagetic sound:
  • The music built tension-ominous music, it was also non-diagetic.
  • Diagetic sound of him breathing and picking the lock was exaggerated.
  • The breathing is reflecting what he is seeing as he knows how this world war will be carried out.
  • Music stops when he puts the key back so audience knows it is specifically there to build up tension.
Audience pleasures:
  • Suspense- will he get caught?
  • Personal relationship- we don't want Martin to get caught.
  • Surveillance- we learn from the historical context the drama is about.
  • Diversion- classic spy thriller scene.
  • The documents give information as it says: highly confidential, Ronald's signature,
  • Emphasises the historical element and bases it on real events.
  • Authenticity  

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