Vom Mythos der Allmacht: die Darstellung der Staatssicherheit im DDR-Spielfilm der 1960er Jahre

Abstract

"The article deals with stylising State Security, by the examples of the DEFA spy films 'Reserviert für den Tod' (Spared for Death, 1963), 'For Eyes only - Streng Geheim' (For Eyes only - Strictly Confidential, 1963) and 'Schwarzer Samt' (Black Velvet, 1964). The author analyses by way of which narratives and stylistic means the MfS was presented in the early 1960s. Topically, these films reproduce all those threat scenarios employed by the SED propaganda to justify the building of the Wall. At the same time State Security acts as an almighty secret service always ready for the defence which is not used to control the population but rather protects it from imminent danger." (author's abstract)