In our most recent article, I gave high praise to Anna and Jörg Winger’s Deutschland 83. In the face of overwhelming odds, the writer-producer couple managed to mix heart, intrigue, and a devotion to history to create one of the greatest spy thrillers of all time. And yet, one question still lingered in the depths of my rage-fueled mind.
Could lightning strike twice in Germany?
Yes. Yes, it can.
Just like its prequel, Deutschland 86 is one hell of a ride!
Old Comrades And New Faces.
Once again, Jonas Nay acts his ass off as Martin Rauch. In 86, the 28-year-old actor portrays a far more seasoned operative than when we first met him in 1983… and for good reason. Kolibri’s exploits have landed him in the crosshairs of half of the world’s intelligence agencies, so the character has to be far more resourceful and lethal. Thankfully, Nay masterfully holds onto the character’s heart and pulls off his new exploits with gusto over the course of this ten-part series.
He’s a joy to watch!
As for the rest of the cast, the standout characters on this go-around are Walter Schweppenstette (Sylvester Groth), Brigitte Winkelmann (Lavinia Wilson), and Tina Fischer (Fritzi Haberlandt). In many ways, these three characters make up the core of what this series is trying to say. Over the course of their individual arcs, Groth, Wilson, and Haberlandt manage to reflect all of the intrigue, love, and terror that almost certainly rose to the surface back then.
They’re real people with real problems, and the actors’ devotion to the craft is readily apparent in every frame.
What A Difference Three Years Makes!
Deutschland 86 doesn’t have the world-shattering stakes of its prequel, but the writers more than make up for it by focusing on deeply personal stories with an international flair.
A huge chunk of Martin’s journey takes place in Africa, where he emerges from hiding (…or is it exile?) to assist his aunt, Lenora (Maria Schrader), with an illegal arms deal. Apparently, East Germany has virtually gone broke, so they need to build up their cash reserves by any means necessary. In the process, they wind up stabbing their anti-Apartheid allies in the back by illicitly selling weapons to the South African Defence Force.
What follows is an epic journey that plays in the same “based on a true story” sandbox as Deutschland 83. Only this time, the story focuses on the somewhat lesser known areas of the Cold War. Viewers will be able to get a glimpse of the Angolan Civil War, Libyan terrorism under Muammar Gaddafi, and East Germany’s involvement in each situation.
Back in East Berlin, the bosses in the Stasi are effectively running around with their hair on fire. On some level, they know that the GDR is completely fucked, but they try to sweep it under the rug with utter bullshit like a fireworks display and a cruise for the party’s select faithful.
Speaking of which…
The Plot Exposes The Hilarity And Horror Of Socialism.
Deutschland 86 shares the same devotion to history as its prequel, but it sets itself apart by using its structure and production design to delve into the sheer contrasts between East and West.
On one side of the coin, there’s a funny and sad storyline that reflects how many communists felt about the West at the time. When Walter Schweppenstette is allowed to travel to West Berlin, he is initially tasked with purchasing a cruise ship that was used on the German version of The Love Boat. However, his little trip turns him into a gobsmacked fish out of the water. He thinks that he needs to bribe the cashier of a teddy bear shop in order to look around for a few more minutes, doesn’t know what to do when a West Berlin woman asks him to dance, and winds up feeling depressed and distracted because he feels like he can’t be with the woman he loves.
On the darker side of the GDR, Tina Fischer’s arc examines the slave-like mentality of socialism. When we first meet the character, she wants to look after her COPD patients and do her job. However, her leading role in a Stasi-sponsored pharmaceutical study leads her to question a West German drug’s side effects. After she registers some complaints, her behavior attracts the attention of the Stasi, inevitably leading her and her family to the brink of disaster.
I’m not going to spoil what happens to her, but I will say that her story is a dark reminder of what so many had to go through in the former Eastern Bloc.
Conclusion.
Deutschland 86 may not be for everyone, but it is one of the finest pieces of historical fiction that I’ve ever seen. New and old characters are developed in ways that make sense, the story works well, and the overall atmosphere is a strong reflection of the humor, drama, and horror of the time period. If you’re in the mood for a blast from the recent past and can stand subtitles, give it a binge!
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