German television productions dominated Monday's illustrious showbiz event in New York, taking three International Emmys. The Cold War drama "Deutschland 83" won the prestigious best drama award.
The cast and crew of "Deutschland 83" celebrate their Emmy successImage: picture-alliance/dpa/A. Gombert
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German television productions took home three International Emmys in New York on Monday night, including one of the most prestigious prizes in the industry, the best drama award.
"Deutschland 83," a Cold War thriller about an East German spy who infiltrates the West German army to steal NATO secrets, snagged the award after the series garnered praise from critics and was sold on to 38 international broadcasters.
It was also the first German-language series to air on US television.
"Our show is about a divided nation which eventually tore down the wall and reunited peacefully," Jörg Winger, the show's co-creator and executive producer, said. "It shows that even the most immense differences can be overcome."
Anna Winger, the other co-creator of "Deutschland 83," tweeted a photo of the cast backstage at Monday's awards ceremony, celebrating their prize.
German actress Christaine Paul won the best actress award for her role in "Unterm Radar" ("Under the Radar"), a story of a judge whose life is turned upside down when her daughter is suspected of planning a bomb attack in Berlin.
"We have to remember what we are - that we're human beings and please don't have fear and don't be afraid from terrorism attacks," Paul said. "You must remember that we all belong together and have to fight against the real problems of the world."
The third Emmy awarded to a German television production went to the documentary film "Krieg der Lügen" ("War of Lies"). The documentary, which began as a film school project, centers on an Iraqi refugee in the run-up to the Iraq war whose information on weapons of mass destruction was used by the US to justify the 2003 invasion.
"No German film festival wanted to show this film," director Matthias Bittner said. "Finally you end in the US, which this film is actually all about."
A key year in the Cold War: 'Deutschland 83'
First shown in the US, the German TV series "Deutschland 83" deals with the role played by Germany during the Cold War - and the personal story of a young spy. It has now been named best drama by the International Emmys.
Image: RTL/N. Konietzny
Cold War thriller
"Deutschland 83" tells the story of the young East German sergeant Martin Rauch (Jonas Nay, pictured left) who infiltrates the West German army as an undercover spy in 1983. The series of eight one-hour episodes reveals a classic secret agent thriller - and a tremendously exciting one.
Image: RTL/N. Konietzny
Recruitment phase
The story starts out in East Germany at the beginning of the 1980s. Martin's aunt Lenora Rauch (Maria Schrader), who works for the East and lives in the West, is asked to convince her nephew to work as a secret agent.
Image: RTL/N. Konietzny
Explosive times
The backdrop of "Deutschland 83" is the volatile geopolitical context of the early 1980s. The arms race between the US and the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War adds tension to the plot. In the West German army, Martin Rauch uses the alias of Moritz Stamm.
Image: RTL/N. Konietzny
Snapshot of West Germany
The concept of the series was developed by American author Anna Winger and her husband, German producer Jörg Winger. Four authors collaborated on the screenplay, and the series was directed by Edward Berger and Samira Radsi. The picture above shows a scene with peace movement protesters, another factor in Germany's politically tense atmosphere in 1983.
Image: RTL/N. Konietzny
Nuclear strategies
With US missiles then stationed in West Germany, the country served as the battleground of the Cold War between America and the Soviet Union. In "Deutschland 83," General Wolfgang Edel (Ulrich Noethen) is the direct supervisor of Moritz Stamm. He works closely with the Americans.
Image: RTL/N. Konietzny
Behind the political scenes
"Deutschland 83" gives insight on life behind the scenes in the West German army and with NATO. Here General Edel (Ulrich Noethen, left) and US General Jackson (Errol T. Harewood, right) discuss the next step in the arms race. The NATO maneuver "Able Archer" was perceived as a direct Soviet threat.
Image: RTL/N. Konietzny
On the brink of World War III
The world feared a military confrontation between the world's superpowers. The US and the USSR - and their respective military alliances - held maneuvers to demonstrate their readiness for war. It was a highly volatile situation.
Image: RTL/N. Konietzny
Shedding new light on the Cold War
The television series "Deutschland 83" won the prestigious best drama award at the International Emmys. The Cold War is a popular topic among US viewers. The 2006 German movie "The Lives of Others" was highly successful and won an Oscar. Steven Spielberg's recent film, "Bridge of Spies," is also set in Cold War Germany.
