"Goodbye, Lenin?" - Social change as wound in post-socialist Eastern Germany

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The paper explores the phenomenon of ostalgiä, a nostalgia for East Germany, which gained momentum following the success of Wolfgang Becker's film, Goodbye, Lenin. Set against the backdrop of German reunification, the film's tragicomic elements resonated deeply with audiences, highlighting the complexities of memory and identity in a post-reunification society. It examines how this cultural moment transformed into a significant popular movement, reflecting broader themes of trauma and the challenges of reconciling past and present.