The Lives of Others
The invasive reach of government 25 years after the crumbling of the Wall
Images of celebration, hammers and chisels, and tears of elation appeared across televisions and newspapers covering the events of 9 November 1989. One of the most recognizable symbols associated with the decades spanning Cold War—the Berlin Wall—came crumbling down as the world watched and cheered. Books were written, documentaries crafted, and movies from kaleidoscopic perspectives memorialized this historic event. One film, standing atop the pile of reel-canisters, and particularly relevant to the United States of today, is The Lives of Others.
The similarities between pre-collapse East Berlin and the current state of affairs within the United States is startling, and is reflective in The Lives of Others storyline. This film is set in a divided Berlin circa mid-1980s where the East’s State controlled paradigm seethes through the screen and into the viewers very being. Images of this dreary society are set in hues of grey with its people suspended in a state of existential despair. The East rests in stark contrast with the idea proffered by the West; a reality that threatens to unravel the tangled propaganda strewn together by government officials and enforced by Stasi operatives. The fear generated by the Stasi to maintain control has risen within the shores of the United States from the plethora of anti-terror laws, toxic messaging from made-to-order media outlets, and partisan-politics further dividing the nation has been actively fraying the weave holding together America’s fabric.
Some of the most relevant parallels between the U.S. of today and East Berlin of the mid 80s is a shared loss of trust—trust in government, trust in neighbors, and trust in morality. Controversy encompassing issues of privacy, civil liberties, and the reach of the State are an ever present staple within the media, and constantly challenged by a vast spectrum of domestic ideologues. The perpetual stream of travesties streamed into our lives has provided a conclave for the made-to-order commentary proliferating widescale emotional angst. The toxicity of current discourse is fodder for our citizenries jaded, and varied, perception of reality—furthering the eclipsing of a once vibrant society that’s reflective of pre-collapse East Berlin. More concerning with this degrading American paradigm is the creation of an environment rife for internal collapse, thus posing an existential threat to the United States.
The repressive narrative presented within The Lives of Others illustrates how a nation can erode away its culture, traditions, and politics — its national identity, by malignant messaging and fear. Furthermore, the threat of dissonance and revolt from the enemies of Socialism challenges the very existence of the State. Challenging the norms of the United States, has been the ever expanding political divide witnessed through the lack of compromise, internal rage, and an increasing inability to identify with others.
The similarities between East Berlin prior to 11/9/89 and the United States and our Homeland’s insecurity following the atrocities of 9/11/01 are clearly illuminated within The Lives of Others. Challenging anything that was not perceived to be Patriotic was considered un-American and public discourse supported the “if you don’t love it, leave it” paradigm. A sense of conformity swept the nation, yet with the passage of time, the pendulum has begun to swing the other direction. The liberties ingrained in the psyche of the American populous are struggling to move beyond the travesties of the Patriot Act; outrage against metadata collection of the NSA; and a growing fear that our values are crumbling and the State is exerting more control over the populous mirrors the setting of The Lives of Others — hope is waning.
More similarities between America today and the imagery reflected in The Lives of Others is seen through the focal character, Hauptmann Gerd Wiesler. Wiesler represents the epitome of the Stasi officer and becomes the avatar for the American people. His character clearly illustrates the battles raging within, as feelings of hope wanes in the face of challenges at odds with the values he holds dear. His strength of conviction and his stance against the powerful came at great cost to him; yet, his sacrifice allowed another the opportunity to persevere after significant loss. The ongoing strife represented throughout this film, illustrates the fortitude necessary to address the assault upon our identity and offers us the opportunity to reflect upon the ideals we hold close.
The comparison between The Lives of Others and the Homeland Security nexus—is profound; the norms illustrated mirrors happenings within the America of today. Where hope once reigned, we see despair; where passion once reigned, we see conspiracy; where privacy once reigned, we see intrusion from the government into our lives through metadata collection; the spin of ideologue driven reporting; and, to a country so divided that the nihilistic hue so profound at the beginning of this film is now taking root and flourishing within our Homeland.
Is history repeating itself? Have we entered a cyclical realm where hope is lost and control of our lives has shifted into the control of the government. What was once a body that reflected the will of the people, now ascribes it.
