GERMAN EXPRESSIONISM

P A R T I

And Kammerspiel

Margaret Peña

GERMAN EXPRESSIONISM

The German Expressionist film finds

its origins in the Expressionist

Movement of art, sculpture, and

literature.

GERMAN EXPRESSIONISM

German Expressionism was short

lived, roughly lasting as long as the

Weimar Republic, 1919-1933.

GERMAN EXPRESSIONISM

German Expressionist film resulted

from German isolation as a

consequence of WWI, and the

government ban of foreign films in

1916.

GERMAN EXPRESSIONISM

“The leaning towards violent

contrast…and the inborn German

liking for chiaroscuro and shadow,

obviously found an ideal outlet in

the cinema…

GERMAN EXPRESSIONISM

“These works blithely married a

morbid Freudianism and an

Expressionistic exaltation to the

romantic fantasies…and to the

tortured soul of contemporary

Germany seemed,

GERMAN EXPRESSIONISM

“with their overtones of death,

horror and nightmare, the reflection

of its own grimacing image, offering

a kind of release.” Lotte

H. Eisner

Arthur Robinson

Carl Th. Dreyer

F. W. Murnau

G. W. Pabst

Paul Leni

Carl Boese

Ewald André

Dupont

Fritz Lang

Joe May

Robert Wiene

EXPRESSIONIST DIRECTORS

FAMOUS EXPRESSIONIST FILMS

The Cabinet of Dr. CaligariNosferatuThe GolemFaustBerlin: Symphony of a Great CityMetropolisM

Created a theatrical look to its films

Used dramatic, painted scenery

Exaggerated make-up, as used in theatre

An inexpensive way of making films, but

created very iconic results.

Expressionist Cinema

The design of German Expressionist sets

mirrored the changes in German art of the time

The mise-en-scéne was therefore created using

geometric shapes, painted on objects and high

contrast between black and white

Creates the effect of exaggerated shadow and

light

Expressionist Cinema

Used symbolism and icons to create meaning

Often focused on gothic themes such as the

supernatural, insanity and betrayal

This was a refreshing change to the usual linear

story telling of action movies and romance movies.

Expressionist Cinema

EXPRESSIONISTIC DEVICESto express subjective emotions

Distortion through special effects:

Superimposition, slow-motion and

stop-action photography and cheat

shots

Shadows and dramatic lighting

EXPRESSIONISTIC DEVICES

Unusual camera angles

Abrupt transitions from one shot to

another

Stylized sets

Exaggerated acting styles