semiotics

Semiotics- Barthes

In Deutschland 83- signs and symbols, connotations and denotations

In Deutschland 83 there are many signs and symbols with signified meaning. For example there is  army uniform worn in Deutschland 83 which shows that Martin is living a professional life whenever and wherever. It connotes a constructed lifestyle where every soldier is to behave and act the same. It is like they all have the same role and are to all behave the same. The uniform also signifies unity and aspects of a patriotic Germany. The typewriter recording dates and location is to make a record of the events ongoing. It also reiterates the 1983 timezone of which the drama is set. The type writer connotes secret spy stuff. The typewriter takes us through a journey with Martin and engages the audience more through his mystery journey through the West as a spy. It is also for historical reasons, keeping a record of what has happened somehow like a diary.

In Stranger Things- signs and symbols, connotations and denotations

In Stranger Things there is a lot of intertextuality to the 1980s. For example the three boys on a bike riding down a hill to embark on an adventure is reference to The Goonies Movie in 1975. This reinforces the idea that Stranger things will be a journey to search for something mysterious just like in The Goonies. The independent sherif who is heavy on alcohol and drugs signifies a neglected neighbourhood with not a lot of security and patrol. The shaven girl 11 represent Judith Butler's idea on gender performativity and that sex is nothing but biological, 11 appears in the first episode as gender neutral and just a human due to her identity being a number, her wearing a plain long shirt as if she is a scientific experiment and the shaven head.

Film language and mise en scene

Deutschland 83-  natural light is used to make it seem more realistic and it is a historical drama so there are no major visual effects. It is all just natural and genuine filming in the eyes of the soldier Martin. As an audience we go around Germany through Martins perspective.

Stranger Things- There are some visual effects such as the man floating in the lift, and the constant flickering of lights which adds the sci-fi element to the drama.

Baudrillard- Simulacra and Simulation is most known for its discussion of symbols, signs, and how they relate to contemporaneity (simultaneous existences).^{[citation needed]} Baudrillard claims that our current society has replaced all reality and meaning with symbols and signs, and that human experience is a simulation of reality.

Heroes- Martin, willing to be a spy so he can get his mother on the kidney transplant list
Villain- Perhaps Lenora, she is manipulating Martin but maybe she believes it is a duty to fight for West Germany.

Heroes- 3 boys off to save the world
Villains- maybe parents, they are trying to stop them going onto do this or sheriff who isn't the most professional in his sector.

Post Modernism-