Representation and examples

Significant screen grab

Who/what is the focus of representation in the episode?

Are stereotypes used? Is the representation stereotypic

al or does it challenge stereotypes?

Under represented in the media or common?

Does the focus of representation feel ‘real’ and ‘truthful’?

VERISIMILITUDE (realism) Is it misrepresented in any way? If so, how?

How is the representation constructed through the use of media language? Camera/ Editing/Sound/Mise-en-scène

What key signs and connotations are used in the sequence? What meanings do they offer?

Family

Nathan

• Edel’s family and Martin’s family.
• They are focused as it compares East vs West Germany family life.

• Stereotypes used in this are shown through power hungry men who want to be in control however, someone like Lenora is very powerful in Martin’s family as she works for the government.
• We also look at Annete who stands up to Martin’s mum because she is keeping secrets about Martin’s whereabouts. However, she is represented as a strong woman but she is also stereotyped as a helpless girlfriend as Martin has been taken away from her and she can’t do anything as he is in the West.
• Martin is stereotyped as a young adult and conforms to this stereotype as he is a family man and is always wondering and asking if his family is okay.
• In Edel’s family Wolfgang is the powerful one as he is the general. But his son Alex wants to be in charge but is always overlooked by his dad’s success. He seems to be friendly towards Martin but seems to feel jealous about him getting a higher role than him. Could show signs that his dad doesn’t respect him or give him any love. He is represented as a power hungry individual and conforms to this stereotype as he is the son of the general and therefore, has the same mindset. Yet he subverts to this representation as he comes across as friendly and welcoming.

• The representation of power hungry individuals within the families is very unrealistic especially for Martin as his life in East Germany was very calm and he spent time with his family. Everyone was represented as if communism was the right way to be living. However, this representation of power becomes more realistic when Lenora (the catalyst) is introduced into the story and disrupts the equilibrium of Martin’s East German life.
• The idea that Wolfgang is powerful i feel is misinterpreted as he comes across as a powerful person in the Western army. However, as the episode develops  

Communism/Capitalism

Joe

tom

38th minute

• The supermarket scene
• Clothing of Martin in the west (designer clothes)
• Colourful clothing of Western German citizens. House and garden appears more colourful and vibrant.

• Reinforces the stereotype that the east is grey and boring. Communism is ‘bland’ and means that everyone is the same. Individualism is discouraged.
• Also challenges stereotypes about the East as party at Martin’s house seems to have a positive atmosphere.

VERISIMILITUDE

This is misrepresentation in a variety of ways but is mostly correctly accurate, this is because the lack of contact and the repercussions of contact with the other side can be catastrophic which leads to a variety of ways to avoid being court. this therefore shows the accuracy ion terms of consequences, however the lack of being able to contact the other side this would not be made possible in the time.

• Lighting in the west is brighter than in the East German scenes.
• The long shot of Martin in the supermarket shows the range of products available for purchase in the west and how it differs from the west’s limited food range. The tins are also colourful, which also reinforces the themes presented by the poster for D83.  

Class - Josh

can’t be bothered

Threat of Nuclear war/Action sequences

LOUIS

• Situation between America and Germany. (Main representatives are General Edel and General Jackson). Edel Appears to be in cooperation with Jackson, but hints unwillingness.
• The threat of Nuclear war directly threatens East Germany, so is also a threat to the West (Next door).

• Very common for the media at the time (context 1960s.
• Uncommon in current media, however fits stereotype (underlying consciousness of fear in civilians).

Representation feels close to the contextual events.

• Use of real nuclear bomb test footage from America - alongside real footage of Ronald Reagan.

Dialogue revolving around nuclear threat (fish-tank scene and meetings between German and US generals).

Mise en scene: Retro TV sets displaying footage.

Americans

Anjelica and Sofya

gereral Jackson , the black male is represented as a highly respected officer. This is shown through Edels demand for moritz to fetch ciggorets to  impress and make jackson feel welcome. Edel clearly cares about how  he is perceived by the Americans. This may be because of the impact of the American war against Russia, having Germany helpless in between n in fear of nuclear bomb attacks in the west. the focus within this scene is jacksons  

Jackson is a black man in a position of high power, and is represented as a highly respected officer, which partly stems from his origin as an American. East Germans looked up to the westerners for guidance, with leading the country and promoting the capitalist ideology. Jackson is an embodiment of this stereotype, as he is powerful and well respected.

The only other representation of Americans is that of president Reagan, who heavily criticised the East and the communist   ideology. Through aunt Lenora, he is promoted as evil and uncaring which is a stereotypical negative representation of the opposition

The representations of Americans feel real and truthful, especially factoring in the use of Reagan’s speech at the beginning of the drama, which suggests it’s authentic.

The representation of Jackson also comes off as truthful, as he is represented as very patriotic, as is typical of Americans in the Cold War time, when anything apart from the western, capitalist ideology  was not acceptable for Americans.

Although the stereotype is somewhat subverted because Jackson is not represented as truly evil, rather a person with a different opinion.

Jackson is originally shown as intimidating the dark low shot of the camera following him from behind in the dark hallway represents a dark cold character who hides in the dark showing him possibly be on the bad side of the fight  The stereotype for a high commanding officer such as general jackson would be a cold , harsh ultra masculin figure as soldiers and war officers stereotype shows is bravery and masculinity. although he is seen as masculin through his introduction from moritz. However , his politeness towards stamm shows he is not only maculin but respectful.

Reagan’s speech at the beginning is used to create an authentic atmosphere, as well as introducing the main antagonists to be the westerners.

24

Gender

East v West German women

Grace

Zoe

Who/what is the focus of representation in the episode?

Ingrid (Martin’s mother) and Lenora (Martin’s girlfriend):

Representation of

Are stereotypes used? Is the representation stereotypic

al or does it challenge stereotypes?

Under represented in the media or common?

Does the focus of representation feel ‘real’ and ‘truthful’?

VERISIMILITUDE (realism)Is it misrepresented in any way? If so, how?

How is the representation constructed through the use of media language? Camera/ Editing/Sound/Mise-en-scène

What key signs and connotations are used in the sequence? What meanings do they offer?

The coffee within one of the first scenes shows the idea of capitalism where they are able to easily purchase any product they like. This is then given to the Ingrid as a gift which shows the little things can please the communist side as they aren't allowed to buy things like that.

26

Eastern women

Ella

Who/what is the focus of representation in the episode?

Martin’s mum and Lenora (his aunt) are represented in this episode as eastern women. They are shown as relaxed and happy - which indicates  a positive light, where they work and live contently. This is because they don't know any difference, for example Martim growing up in the east - after moving to the west to become an undercover spy, he is shocked to see the grocery shop full of luxuries and bright colours.

They also come across stronger and more powerful than women on the western side, where they can wear clothes freely.

Martin’s mum needs a kidney transplant to make herself well and healthy again. However, we don't see this affecting her from living everyday life.

Are stereotypes used? Is the representation stereotypic

al or does it challenge stereotypes?

Under represented in the media or common?

The representation of eastern women challenges the stereotypes because they have more freedom despite being blocked off from the rest of the country.

East VS West Germany - George

Kieran

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Who/what is the focus of representation in the episode?

Are stereotypes used? Is the representation stereotypic

al or does it challenge stereotypes?

Under represented in the media or common?

Does the focus of representation feel ‘real’ and ‘truthful’?

VERISIMILITUDE Is it misrepresented in any way? If so, how?

How is the representation constructed through the use of media language? Camera/ Editing/Sound/Mise-en-scène

What key signs and connotations are used in the sequence? What meanings do they offer?

the only location we see in the east is at martins house, the colours are faded and and one scene shows the absence of luxuries as lenora pulls out coffee for Ingrid. In the west we can see the luxuries they have, one major scene is when stramm walks into a supermarket and we can see many luxuries and colours.

yes they use stereotypical outfits and props for the time period of 1983. They use outfits that would have been trendy in Germany at the time. The Main difference is in the colour this conforms to stereotypes as people see west as this bright, beautiful place and the east as this grey controlling state.

the verisimilitude is represented accurately due to the props and outfits of all the characters. In the supermarket scene there is accuracy seen in the products, they are all genuine 1980s products. The outfits of the actors are all time accurate with the bright colours of the west shows the truth of living there and the east being boring dull clothes are also accurate.

in both sides the people seem happy we see both sides having parties