Der Grenzenlose Schlagerwettbewerb

The interaction film Der grenzenlose Schlagerwettbewerb explores the phenomenon of two Schlager music cultures in divided Germany. Until today, only the former West German Schlager are popular across the country, the East German pop songs are virtually unknown in the former West. To approach German-German Schlager worlds, annette hollywood intervenes in historical television material from West and East German Schlager competitions held in 1968. Revolutionary forces, the activists of KEB Deutsche Schall­platten, intervene in the scenario that serenades “idyllic worlds” and take control. The television show that emerges is a show without borders, for all of Germany. By interacting with historical television material and sources from the time, the political dimension of Schlager in the opposing systems is explored. The influence of economy and state in cultural production and the mobilization of escapist or socialist-realist concepts are made visible alongside the relationship between high and popular culture in the Schlager history of the two states, which is contrasted as well.