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Khang Duong

ANTH 3308

5 April 2019

Politics

The film “ The Lives of Others” by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck (2006) illustrates

the extent of government power through the method of surveillance. In addition, it speaks about

the way people are treated for having beliefs that are considered dangerous or threatening to the

state. The movie’s two main characters, Hauptmann Gerd Wiesler and Georg Dreyman, have an

interesting relationship in that the former spies on the latter; however, Wiesler sympathizes with

Dreyman and assists him throughout the movie. At the end of the film, Dreyman finds out the

truth and decides to write a novel in dedication to Wiesler. This act moves Wiesler emotionally

to buy a copy. “The Battle of Algiers” by Gillo Pontecorvo (1966) recreates the events of the real

life Battle of Algiers during the Algerian Revolution against the French from 1954 to 1962. The

movie shows the perspectives of both sides of the conflict. It explores the French’s oppression of

the Algerians and the terrible tactics that both sides must take in order to win the war.

Additionally, it showcases the methods by which a revolution takes place and the way a colonial

power try to quell it.

Politics has been a part of human culture ever since people decided to live together. It

denotes the means by which a group of people make decisions collectively. When a group of

people hold influence over other people, there is a chance of that group abusing the power. Also,

one person can hold power over others. On the opposite end, political power can be a good thing

because it gives order to an otherwise lawless society; however, a government that abuses its

people can expect a revolution to arise. In Mark Parker’s (2007) article, he discusses the “The
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Battle of Algiers” and its historical importance as a case study of government suppression and

revolutions. He talks about the multiple aspects of the film that makes it worthy of analysis such

as the role of women in the film. In the movie, women are seen as equals of men as they

undertake risks like delivering a gun to an assassin or detonating bombs in public spaces. They

have important roles during the war, but they relinquish the roles after the war due to religious

obedience. This makes the Algerian government after the war similar to the French in their

suppression of certain groups of people. The efforts of the rebels to fight against their colonizer

resulted in them emulating the colonizer. This shows that the structure of power is universal

across different political groups. Additionally, Parker (2007) talks about how the French only

strength the revolution by hunting down rebels. In the movie, this is shown in dramatic effect as

the Algerians riot against the French after the last of the rebel organization’s member are

executed. This behavior is expected as the suppressed Algerians are taking actions to free

themselves from their abusers. The victory of the Algerians demonstrates that the misuse of

power will inevitably lead to an insurrection.

Eva Horn (2008) talks about the relationship between power and the government’s use of

media to influence the masses. One use of media is surveillance in which the government

monitors the lives of people with or without their consent. It is usually performed under the idea

of protection against certain individuals if they are perceived as threats of the state; however, the

desire for protection can lead to paranoia in which the state exerts total control of the people in

their quest to quell potential threats. This is displayed in “The Lives of Others” (2006) as Wiesler

is ordered by Hempf to spy on Dreyman because he is pro-Communist. Because his political

belief differs from the state, he is considered a traitor to the state. Over the course of the movie,

Wiesler act opposite of his orders as he illegally protects Dreyman from the East German
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government. The movie shows how the state controls all forms of communication since all

typewriters must be registered. This obsession with power can make people fearful because their

civil rights and privacy are disrespected by a government that justify it as protection.

Theoharis (2016) expands upon the use of surveillance in a post-9/11 world in the United

States. He reveals the fact that government officials are able to abuse the power of surveillance

under the authorization of the state. Also, they create laws that compromise the integrity of

freedom. This is an attack on democracy because it shows how those in power are willing to take

advantage of their people under the guise of defense. This is shown prominently in both films as

the French and East German government use terrible methods to destroy oppositions. Theoharis

(2016) ends with the message that if government continues to operate in secrecy, then the values

of democracy will crumble. In “The Battle of Algiers,” this is shown when the last of the rebels

are killed. They represent democracy as they fought for independence from an otherwise

oppressive system. “The Lives of Others” show this in the way that Dreyman is constantly

monitored by the East German government. Democracy is reinstated as the Berlin Wall falls

which unites West and East Germany together.

Both movies are very successful in their depictions of the theme of politics and power.

They both show that power is usually held by a group of people. The way these groups use

power immensely affect the masses. They can either use power to protect the people or abuse

them for personal gains. The events in the movies demonstrates the extent to which a

government will oppress its citizens even if they believe themselves to be acting in the public’s

interest.
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Works Cited

Donnersmarck, Florian Henckel von (2006) The Lives of Others. Creado Film (138 min).

Horn, E. (2008) Media of Conspiracy: Love and Surveillance in Fritz Lang and Florian Henckel

von Donnersmarck. New German Critique 103(35.1): 127-144.

Parker, M. (2007) The Battle of Algiers (La Battafglia di Algeri). Film Quarterly 60(4): 62-66.

Pontecorvo, Gillo (1966) The Battle of Algiers. Rialto Pictures (120 min).

Theoharis, Athan. “Expanding U.S. Surveillance Powers: The Costs of Secrecy.” Journal of

Policy History, vol. 28, no. 3, July 2016, pp. 515–534. EBSCOhost,

doi:10.1017/S0898030616000208.