Denial in Film and Politics: A Look at Good Bye, Lenin! and Rishi Sunak’s Teesside Triumph

In the German film “Good bye, Lenin!”, a devoted communist mother experiences a heart attack in the autumn of 1989 and falls into a coma. Upon awakening, she finds herself in a world where the Berlin Wall has crumbled, Germany is on the path to reunification, and communism has collapsed. Her son Alexander takes it upon himself to shield her from this new capitalist reality by creating fake news bulletins depicting an alternate world. Inside her bedroom, the Deutsche Demokratische Republik (DDR) still thrives, while outside, free Germans indulge in luxuries such as purchasing Ikea furniture, driving Volkswagens, and drinking Coca-Cola.

This theme of denial is also evident in British politics during the recent local elections. Despite losing mayoral races and suffering a swing against them, Conservative Party leader Rishi Sunak took a victory lap in Teesside, their only win in the elections. This triumph was crucial for the Conservatives’ chances of winning the next general election as they currently trail behind Labour by a significant margin in national polls. The Conservatives are particularly proud of their success in winning over traditionally Labour constituencies known as the “red wall” in the 2019 general election. Their loss in this region dealt a significant blow to their confidence.

In conclusion, both films and politics often reflect themes of denial. In “Good bye, Lenin!” Alex’s efforts to create an alternate world for his mother highlight how people cling to what they know and refuse to accept change. Similarly, Rishi Sunak’s victory lap in Teesside reflects how political parties can deny reality or dismiss losses as insignificant.

While these examples come from different contexts – one being fictional and the other real – they both share a common thread: our tendency to avoid confronting difficult truths about ourselves and our surroundings. Whether it’s denying change or ignoring losses, we all struggle with accepting reality at times. It’s important to recognize when we’re engaging in denial tactics so that we can confront challenges head-on and grow as individuals or societies.