Reinventing Consumption Traditions through the Process of Unification of a Country: Understanding “Good Bye Lenin!”

Ece Ceren Engür

doi:10.5195/cinej.2015.128

Abstract

This paper focuses on the change of consumption traditions in terms of re-unification of a country. The discussion bases on the movie, “Good Bye Lenin!”(2003) and chases the transformations on consumption trends in order to understand how the re-unification of East and West Germany influences the practices of everyday life after a four decade long segregation. The movie displays the 1990’s Germany during the times when the Berlin Wall falls and frames a family portrait which is dominated by an idealist and traditional mother character in the last days of her life.

Highlights

This journal is published by the University Library System of the University of Pittsburgh as part of its D-Scribe Digital Publishing Program and is cosponsored by the University of Pittsburgh Press
The movie reflects a slice of life from the days of re-unification of East and West Germany in 1990
After an heart attack and fall into eight month coma, the Mother misses the changes during the times of the Berlin Wall opened; the West and East side of the country penetrate with each other

Summary

Introduction

Reinventing consumption traditions through the process of unification of a country: Understanding “Good Bye Lenin!” Ece Ceren Engür The movie reflects a slice of life from the days of re-unification of East and West Germany in 1990. We see along the movie a blindly idealist mother and his family who protect her from the rapid changes of the country after her illness.

Results

Conclusion