Intro to film- German expressionism

slides & notes

Historical context of German expressionism

debt and hyperinflation due to treaty of versailles (people couldnt save so went to theaters), ban on foreign imports (1916-1921)- increased local production, exports encouraged, state funding

france vs germany film in the 20s

france- embrace of historically “national” aesthetic tradition (impressionism), private industries funding
germany- embrace of current artistic trend (expressionism), state funding

expressionism in other arts (6 points)

against realism, favors extreme distortion, unnatural high contrast colors, grotsesque expressions, express “inner emotional reality” via distortion- not surface appearance, destructive effects of industrialization

expressionism vs impressionism in painting

expressionism- more chaos/disorientation of busting urban activity instead of showing it in more panoramic/calm way of impressionism

expressionism in theater

expression of feelings, distorted performance

major traits of expressionist film (3 and descriptions)

stress on composition (mise-en-scene)- exaggeration and repetition, distorted spaces/objects, unnatural acting, symmetry/juxtaposition of similar shapes
editing and camerawork- simple editing, slower pace (to notice composition), close ups to exibit exaggeration in acting
narrative- fantastic- past, exotic, horror

set and actors expressionist film

actor becomes part of set (visual element), set dictates action

Narrative structure in expressionism

story within a story within a story

difference with character subjectivity impressionism vs expressionism

impressionism- character subjectivity through camerawork
expressionism- setting/acting express “moods”, not just of individual but of societal- interior (character) and exterior (set) are expressive of each other