Babylon, Berlin, Bauhaus

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

Babylon, Berlin, Bauhaus – Weimar Germany in the 20th and 21st Century In 2017, the German TV series Babylon Berlin became an international hit, bringing the Weimar Republic to viewers all over the globe. As the series’ title indicates, it takes place in Germany’s fast-paced metropolis. Lavish sets recreate the streets, cafés and nightclubs of 1920s Berlin and even a steam engine is headed towards the city in the opening scenes, just like in Walter Ruttmann’s 1927 silent film Berlin: Die Sinfonie der Großstadt. With a production budget of $44 million, it should not be a problem to bring Berlin and Weimar Germany from 1929 to viewers in 2018, right? But is it the historic Berlin of 1929? Then again, is there such a thing as an authentic depiction of bygone times? Instead of examining the series for its historical authenticity, let’s ask: What does it represent of Weimar Germany and what not? (For instance, National Socialists do not appear despite the NSDAP gaining attention again in 1929.) And, more importantly, how does it represent Weimar and its culture compared to literary works and visual arts from the time period? To this end, we will explore Weimar Germany’s social, political and economic history, and its cultural innovations that would greatly influence not only the rest of the 20th century, but also the 21st century. To this day, Weimar Germany is remembered for its important contributions to Modernism in art, photography, architecture, literature, music and cinema. This includes movements such as Expressionism, Dada and New Objectivity, the German art school Bauhaus and prominent names, including Alfred Döblin, Bertolt Brecht or Fritz Lang.