Expressionism= “Expressing the essence of things.” German Expressionism Germany 1919-1926/7 (approx) Expressionism= “Expressing the essence of things.”

History Start of WWI – output of German film small. America & France had banned German films but Germany could not reciprocate because the output of home-grown product wasn’t large enough. To combat the competition the German Government began to support the film industry and recognised its ability to serve propaganda Production increased rapidly – from a dozen to well over 100 companies within 7 years.

By the end of the war, the need for overt militarist propaganda disappeared and the film industry began to tire of mimicking the success of foreign countries 1919 – two unconventional, unknown directors, Carl Mayer and Hans Janowitz, sought to make a film in an unprecedented, stylised fashion. Expressionist style chosen as already proven successful in theatre, literature and architecture.

These film makers devloped methods of compensating for the lack of high budgets, by using symbolism and mise-en-scene to insert mood and deeper meaning into the film

“The film must become graphic art” Form “The film must become graphic art”

Acting has a strange jerky quality, over-exaggerated angular gestures. Made-up for a lack of budget by using wildly non-realistic, geometrically absurd sets, along with designs painted on walls and floors to represent lights, shadows and objects.

The décor becomes overpowering The décor becomes overpowering -sets dominate the film and its characters. -strong interrelation between the characters and sets.

Architecture is at impossible angles (matching the acting) e. g Architecture is at impossible angles (matching the acting) e.g. crooked housing, leaning windows. Set designers were often out of work architects due to WW1 and were paid as much as directors.

Characters The function of expressionist pieces is to convey the distorted viewpoint of a madman The audience sees the world as the hero does

Themes: Horror Science Fiction The Supernatural Madness, insanity Betrayal “Intellectual” topics

Key Films and Directors: The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (Robert Weine 1921) Nosferatu (192_) F.W.Murnau (The 1st Dracula/vampire film) Metropolis (Fritz Lang 1927)