Erinnerungspolitik und Medialisierung von DDR-Geschichte. Plädoyer für eine andere Wahrnehmung¹

This paper examines the construction and mediation of the GDR memory. Today, the interpretation of the GDR history in the media, through most of the state museums as well as successful movies, is still strongly influenced by the totalitarian paradigm. This representation contradicts the everyday perception of most former GDR citizens. Although research inspired by Alltagsgeschichte has long been interested in aspects of everyday history, such elements are scarcely present in most current representations of the GDR. Andreas Dresen’s and Laila Stieler’s film Gundermann (2018) is an example of East German attempts to regain sovereignty over the interpretation of their history. Overall, the under-representation of the East Germans in key positions in society also influences the possibilities of impacting the portrayal of this past.