Das Leben der Anderen

1. The Stasi starts by suspecting someone taking part in anti-communist acts. Whether it be what he or she says, writes, or acts. The Stasi then bugs the suspect's home and continually follows stalks their home. After awhile, if they lack sufficient evidence, the case is closed, but most of the time they find the suspect to have acted in an anti-communist way. They then bring the person in for intense interrogation. The Stasi will interrogate for long periods and they know that if a person cries then they are guilty, but if a person was innocent they became angry. The movie opens with a scene of Herr Wiesler interrogating a man until he finally cracks some information about his neighbors anti-communist acts. The movie proceeds to show Wiesler's bugging and stalking of suspect Herr Dreyman. 


2. If one is found guilty of being an anti-communist, then they are usually put in prison. For many of the artists, the Stasi threatened to black-list them if they produced anything unsupportive of the communist party. Once put on the black-list, the artist can not survive on their work because no one will buy or produce it. 


3. Herr Wiesler worked and reported to Anton Grubitz. While Herr Grubitz reported to those in higher authority. 


4. Herr Wiesler is a man dedicated to his work as a member of the Stasi. However, as he starts to investigate Herr Dreyman's case, his views begin to chance. He begins to realize the corruption of the Communist party and how unjust his work really is. He ultimately helps Dreyman escape from being ruined and loses his job in the process. This shows a man with strong morals and someone willing to withstand conforming to society. 


5. At his birthday party, Dreyman is given the sheet music for " Sonata fur einen guten Menschen" from his friend Jerska. Jerska then proceeds to hang himself a little while later. As Dreyman is playing the sonata on his piano, Wiesler listens through the bugging system and is emotionally moved. "Sonata fur einen guten Menschen" translates into English as "a sonata about a good man", and was written by Gabriel Yared. (http://www.sheetmusictrade.com/sheets/130965/Gabriel_Yared-Sonata_for_a_good_man__Die_Sonate_vom_Guten_Menschen.html and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKNzKuRI4gM)


6.I would describe Christa Maria Sieland as a very self-centered character. Through her relationship with Minister Kumpf, one sees that she is willing to do anything to ensure her career as an actor, even it means being unfaithful to Dreyman. Also, when she gets picked up by the Stasi, she reveals the Dreyman had written the paper and where he kept his secret typewriter. She is willing to use anyone, even those she cares about most, to save her career. Also, she is a drug addict and buys pills illegally. 


7. The relationship between Christa Maria and Georg is very interesting. They live together, but are not married, and have no intention to be. Georg stars Christa Maria in many of the plays he writes. They seem very get along very well and I would say they do love each other. Georg knows of Christa Maria's infidelity and still does not leave her. He needs her for companionship and support, while she uses him for her career.