Andrea Speltz & Rüdiger Mueller (Guelph, Canada) p.81-106
2013 Issue 3
Sondernummer zum Thema: Der frühe deutsche Nachkriegsfilm
Herausgegeben von Martina Moeller
Abstract
This article explores the theme of work in Wolfgang Staudte’s Die Mörder sind unter uns (1946). It begins with a brief introduction to the history of the German work ethic. From there, it demonstrates how the various characters’ attitudes toward work can be read from a historical perspective. It argues that focusing on the theme of work enables students to develop a nuanced understanding of how the film exposes continuities in German history, reflects the challenges of postwar reconstruction, and initiates the process of Vergangenheitsbewältigung. The final section of the article contains practical tips and worksheets to guide classroom discussion.