German expressionism

1920- 1929

A short history 

World War 1 had just ended, The consequences of this had left Germany in despair, feeling isolated. In 1920 a film called 'The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari' was made. Directed by Robert Wiene, the film was one of the first example of German Expressionism in cinema. At the time, foreign film was banned in Germany, Hollywood had no significant effect on the select film makers who ignited the movement. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is often credited as the first horror film, the tone of the film was distinctly dark, focusing on a mentally unstable antagonist as the lead role. 

The film was ground breaking in terms of exploring a characters inner angst.German expressionism was the first movement to expose a persons most hidden emotions and drag them to the surface. In just a few short years, films such as Nosferatu (1922) and Metropolis (1927) followed the instantly recognisable traits of German expressionism. Contemporary directors like Tim Burton have been heavily influenced by German expressionism, films like Edward Scissor hands would not have been made if it wasn't for the movement, The character of Penguin in Batman Returns is a direct influence of Dr. Caligari.  

Aesthetics and Style

The all around tone and aesthetic nature of the films are there most prominent feature, the sets are abstract and usually distorted, the actors movements are lucid and dance-like. We see to the left and example of a

still from 'The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari'  The set design is deliberately animated to reinforce the surrealism. This essentially is a projection of the characters minds and emotions, since the story depicts a carnival creature who serves under an asylum director, the overall concept that the set displays accurately portrays the dark and damaged vision of disturbance. The use of lighting/shadow exaggerates the theatricality of the characters performance, this could be said is a reaction to the typical impressionism seen in films up until this movement.

The reason I have included German Expressionism into the blog , is because the cinematography is something I would like to include in a particular segment of the music video. The bleak and dismal tone of that the setting and shadows portray, would suit the inner feelings of the character in the 'real' world.