Quick notes about German Expressionism (1919-1926)

(German Expressionism from Film Art by Bordwell and Thomson)

Recap

         In painting we have what we called, expressionism- a  movement in the arts in the early days that emphasized subjective expression of the artist' inner experiences. Likewise in films, we can also apply expressionist styles. Take a look on the German Expressionism that happened from 1919 to 1926. In this kind of style, graphic images in films are distorted and exaggerated unrealistically for expressive purposes. Actors wore heavy make up and moved in jerky, slow patterns. But the most important element in German expressionist style is the element of mise-en-scene. Characters do not simply exist within a setting but rather form visual elements that merge with the setting. German expressionist films were created to combat Hollywood films imported into Germany, and for the purpose of making German films to break international market.

History

       At the start of World War I, only imported films from America, France, Italy and Denmark are shown mostly in theaters in Germany. There is only a small number of German films shown in theaters, that is why the government made a movement which will increase German film productions and combat film imports from other countries. From this, the company UFA ( Universum Filmn Aktiengesellschaft) existed, which comprises of the German government, the Deutsche Bank and several small film firms. This company was established to help increase German film production in the country and also to spread German influence abroad.

Madame Du Barry (1934) by Ernst Lubitsch

                The film Madame Dubarry by Ernst Lubitsch helped reopen the world film market to Germany. It was a huge success.  With the film Madame Dubarry, the UFA finally was able to break into the international market.It was shown in the United States, but not enthusiastically in France because it was considered as anti-French propaganda. In 1919, the firm paved way to produce unconventional script by two unknowns, Carl Meyer and Hans Janowitz. They wanted to produce a film in an unusually stylized way. They wanted it to be done in an Expressionist style, believing that this might be a selling point in the international market.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

                 And so the inexpensive film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari was produced. It was a sensation in Berlin, the United States, France and other countries. It was a huge success.

The insane asylum set in the Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

                                                     

                 Through this, in the mid 1920's, German films were widely regarded as the best in the world. Big firms such as UFA, as well as small companies invested in Expressionist films because these films could combat with those of America. In Caligari, the Expressionist stylization functions to convey the distorted viewpoint of a madman.The world of the film is literally a projection of the hero's vision.

Scenes in German Expressionist style are distorted and unrealistic

End of German Expressionism?

             Because of the inflation in the early 1920's in Germany, the tumbling exchange rate of the mark made foreign purchases expensive. The last major films drive UFA deeper into financial difficulty, leading many German directors quit and try their luck in America. Because many German directors moved into America, Hollywood films also displayed expressionist style. Though German expressionist movement ended already, expressionism has never entirely died out as a trend in film style.