Babylon Berlin: a modern perspective of women's struggles in the Weimar Republic

Babylon Berlin official logo. Photo: Von Babylon Berlin via Wikimedia Commons

Babylon Berlin has been a compelling lockdown watch to say the least. The series, set in the 1920s, is certainly a thriller, with its tense showdowns and whirlwind romances. Its scenes of violence and action even compete with classic Weimar cinema, such as Fritz Lang’s influential M. But guns aside, what makes this 2017 series so captivating is the relevant issues it explores, from systemic gender inequality to overt abuse.

It’s a police drama set in Berlin, simultaneously exposing the glamourous and grotesque facets of life in the Weimar Republic. There’s Gereon Rath, an inspector recently transferred to Berlin, who soon uncovers the corrupt underbelly of this perilous city.

But arguably more fascinating is Charlotte Ritter, the programme’s female protagonist. Minutes into the show, viewers are confronted by her utter poverty as she is introduced with her family in their destitute living quarters in Neukölln. Seizing all opportunities of work - at times as a police clerk, at times as a prostitute - Charlotte desires above all to become the first female homicide detective. It is through this bold and assertive female protagonist that we gain insight into the barriers faced by women in the Weimar Republic.

Whilst she proves to be more intelligent than many of her masculine counterparts, Charlotte is repeatedly rejected in the all-male police scene because of her gender. Even her apparently humorous remark when justifying why she is using the male toilets - there are 52 male facilities, compared to just 5 for women - underlines the gender inequality which is ingrained in this institution. Charlotte is not disheartened by this exclusion, but rather uses her gender to her advantage. Under the guise of a harmless woman, she is able to delve deep into the city’s secrets and in doing so find her way in this patriarchal society.

Yet in the course of the series, Charlotte is confronted by a hideous male threat. In a disturbing scene, she is visited by the powerful Detective Chief Inspector, Bruno Wolter, while working as a prostitute in the Moka Efti cabaret. Blackmailing Charlotte, Bruno threatens to report her to the police for being a prostitute, which would result in her losing her job, if she does not betray a friend. He later visits her in the brothel when he requires information, also paying to have sex with her. With Charlotte having little choice but to sleep with her superior, Bruno’s abuse of his power is brought to the fore.

Charlotte with Bruno. Photo via Instagram.

A modern take on life in the Weimar Republic, Babylon Berlin illuminates women’s issues which were often overlooked in 1920s cinema. But more than just informing us of the past, the series resonates with us today, with years of male abuse of power finally being brought to light by the recent #MeToo movement. Whilst overt inequalities, such as the complete exclusion of women from the police force, may be a thing of the past, the struggles revealed in Babylon Berlin are certainly not history.