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BSA106 German Expressionism.







German Expressionism in film came about after WW1, after Germany lost the war. Germany wanted to revitalise the film industry and to create a better impression for the country. The German government subsidised the UFA (Universum-film AG), whose studios were the largest and best equipped in Europe. This became Germans golden age of cinema. German Expressionist film lasted from 1919 to 1933 when Adolf Hitler came into power.


Unlike other Western films of that period that focused more so on creating realism, German Expressionism distorts reality to create an emotional effect. Expressionism films employed stylised set design, elaborate costuming, shadowy lighting that emphasises bold contrasts of dark and bright highlights and unnatural make-up. The settings are typically distorted and exaggerated, with key themes being madness, criminality and fracturing of identity.


German Expressionism was a huge influence in developing the horror genre. They began to tell the story using not only narrative, but also the effects of shadows and monsters to create a more emotional connection for the viewer.  As well as gothic horror, another film genre created by German Expressionism would be film noir, which greatly influenced even contemporary film today.



An example of a contemporary director who shows influences from German Expressionism in their work would be the Mexican director, Guillermo del Toro. This influence is shown in his movie "Pan's Labyrinth", it is especially visible in the fairytale element of the film. The fantasy creatures in "Pan's Labyrinth" are elaborately costumed and wear unnatural make-up to create a fear or distrust of the character in the eyes of the viewer. The Faun in "Pan's Labyrinth" is similar to Nosferatu in his slow, stiff movement and his distorted appearance. The lighting of "Pan's Labyrinth" also draws german expressionist influence as del Toro makes use of contrast between shadows and highlights in the fantasy/fairytale parts in particular, adding to the gothic, film noir element that began as a result of german expressionism.


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