German Expressionism

WWI and Germany (1914-1918) Over 8.5 Million dead, 21 Million injured Poison Gas, trenches, mass-scale violence in the first modern war. The world was deeply shocked and horrified by what mankind and its’ technology were capable of. After the war, an estimated 700,000 Germans starved to death while living in desperate circumstances

EXPRESSIONISM IS BORN Germans have a heritage of dealing with the angst of life through art Expressionism came about in the early 20th century. The point of expressionism was not realism, or an imitation of nature, but a visual representation of feelings, and emotions. It was intended to express interior states and guttural feelings.

The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari Hanz Janowitz, a Czech poet/WWI Vet, and Carl Meyer, an Austrian actor/trauma survivor meet and witness a hypnotism at a fair. This gives them the idea for a new script. Play Scene from Caligari

The Impact of Caligari Caligari introduced a number of story elements/styles that would prove to have a profound effect on world cinema even up to today. Anti-hero, if not straight-up evil character at the center of the story. The criminal underworld, or supernatural horror story were common plots. Themes of madness, paranoia, obsession, that usually don’t end well Often told from a subjective/ambiguous point of view. Usually set in dark, urban worlds, highlighting the angular, jutting oppressiveness of that landscape. Ominous shadows, often preceding a murder, or showing dark intent.

Impact of Caligari (cont) Other Expressionist films Nosferatu Metropolis M Film Noir Hitchcock Sci-fi Tim Burton