Deutschland '83 - Close Textual analysis

Scene 1: Garden/BBQ Scenes 

Technical Codes:

• The Costume in both settings contradict each other - The casual attire in the east contrasts the west with many of the women in cocktail dresses etc. this creates an image in the audiences brain of a more mature image/higher expectations in the West.
• The Music also adheres to the above comments about class - the East listened to mainstream pop music whereas the West has a live performance, this suggests an aspect of maturity but also highlights the privileges of the West
• The Setting in the west is extremely Americanised whereas the East has an extremely conventional German setting as seen in many mainstream German films/tv shows, this shows how the West conforms to more of the American stereotypes than the East does
• The Handheld Steadicam makes the setting of the East seem more gritty and urban compared to the opening shot of the Garden party scene where he is adding fuel to the fire, with ominous non-diagetic music that plays in the foreground putting Martin in a vulnerable position.

Representations:

• There is a hierarchal aspect to the West, with status being of high value. It is also viewed through a capitalist lense however the Stasi Aunt says 'That Reagan is a danger to mankind' which supports the East and is critical of the capitalist regimes of the West.
• Deutschland '83 has a real lack of strong female characters and reinforces traditional gender dynamics - however this could be a reflection of the only just changing times of the 80s or just a production fault.
• The coffee [prop] given to Martin's mother in the BBQ scene shows the disconnection between the two sides and the West have a much better lifestyle. However, the fetishisation of the East is extremely prevalent in this clip.

Scene 2: Supermarket Scene 

Technical/Audio codes:

• First image of the west is the close up of the chandelier which connotes opulence and wealth, as well as the use of close ups throughout this scene showing the differences between East/West and the change from Martin -> Moritz and how he goes from Bland to bright
• The Costume is also vital in this scene, as the 'new' clothes he is given are bright and branded and a clear display of western privileges but the high angle shots put him in a vulnerable situation and remind the audience that he is out of place here.
• The 80s storefronts and colour scheme act as time markers for the show. The setting is also ambiguous however it is obviously upper class compared to Martin's own home.
• Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) - Eurythmics is an Iconic 80s song as well as having lyrics that apply perfectly to this particular scene
• Disassociative but era appropriate score that reinforces Martin being out of place,
• ''Stop thinking about yourself''  has an undercurrent of Pro-East but blurs the lines between political alignment.

Representation

• Stereotypes of the Eastern European villains
• East v. West is extremely prominent in this scene with the fresh fruit being a key shot and the absence of fresh fruit in East Germany making this much more impactful.
• Language changes as music played is in English whereas earlier the music was German showing the americanisation of the West.
• Post modern perspective through the hyperrealistic aesthetics of the shelving and homage to the popart of the 60s.

Audience Pleasures

• 80s Nostalgia - Through the music & costume which fits into the 80s aesthetics and key retro ambience of the show.
• Visceral pleasures during the chase scene as well as personal relationship since we want Martin to succeed
• Surveillance - '1961'

Scene 3: Training Montage

Technical/Audio Codes

• 360 degree angles and an abundance of shots through other things which gives the scene the conventional spy atmosphere
• Montage - fast paced edits with a low angle at the end to reiterate to the audience the power imbalance and how Martin is in danger.
• Close up shots emphasise the identity change and also display classic spy genre conventions to the audience 
• Split Screens emphasise the split between East and West and the use of a wipe gives this section a heavily entertainment feel which juxtaposes the serious and high tension atmosphere of the montage.
• Thumping 80s music - classic for the montage and has a strong intensity that matches the genre well
• Diagetic Narration - conventional and paces the scene well
• 'Ping' sound - post modernism as well as gives the section a gameshow feel

Audience Pleasures

• Nostalgia for German audiences through the brands and packaging
• American 'coming of age' movie cliches which would appeal to a global audience
• visceral pleasure through the tension created/recognising the intertextual references

Intertextuality 

• The gadgets have a reference to James Bond and the classic spy tropes
• The 'Plastik' font matches the 'Lego' font
• Rocky training montage
• The Generation Game/Gameshow section
• Pure 80s makeover feel with a post modern undercurrent.

Scene 4: Briefcase theft scene

Technical Codes/Audio codes

• Clear motif of 'being watched' trope which builds suspense as well as the slow editing which allows the tension to reach a climax during the lock picking scene
• close up of lock picking as well as the drawer with the keys 
• Files - Reagan's signature, map and confidential stamp which communicates the risk that Martin is taking with tje diagetic exaggeration of his breathing and conventional sounds of the camera paired with the suspense filled score allows the audiences to feel the stress and be 'on the edge of their seat' so to speak.

Audience Pleasures

• Diversion due to the tension especially when the keys get stuck
• Personal Relationships - the audience is worried for Martin and don't want him to fail.
• Surveillance - the documents 
• Classic spy scene whilst still having coming of age elements which appeals to fans of both