Hello everybody,
I keep hearing that this movie is a expressionistic film and since I like it very much I'd like to see other silent films like this.
And could somebody please explain to me what exactly makes this movie an expressionist movie? I read German expressionist literature of the era but that emphasizes realistic aspects.
thx in advance for every helpful answer
You could try -
Nosferatu
Faust
Der Golem
Metropolis
All great films and classed as 'expressionism'. Some other films from
1920's that have some expressionism elements -
Pandora's Box
Sunrise
Die Nibelungen
I think expressionism is defined as a kind of distorted reality, almost
like a waking dream/nightmare with exaggerated sets and behaviour from the cast. It usually has a serious, doom-laden storyline.
I've discovered this genre myself in the last few months and have seen some amazing films. If you liked Caligari they're definitely worth checking out!
[deleted]
Try 'M', Murnau's 'Faust' and 'Nosferatu'. Oh so lovely.
shareWell I've seen M, Nosferatu, Metropolis, Das Testament des Dr. Mabuse and they were all totally great. In the near future I'll be watching: Der Brennende Acker, Sunrise, Vampyr, Dr. Mabuse - Der Spieler and Faust, thanks for the suggestions and explanations.
Even a broken watch shows the right time twice a day.
[deleted]
I've seen Häxan, very amusing. Really looking forward to "The Golem", the sinisterness you're talking about is one thing I really like about those silent movies, something you don't get in any talkies anymore, like in Nosferatu, Max Schreck's performance is really stunning and the different colors and old-fashioned acting (e.g. the long, crazy looking smiles) give the pictures a wicked touch.
Even a broken watch shows the right time twice a day.
Expressionism was a distinct art movement and only a few films were truely Expressionist films, or intended as such. History and criticism on Weimar film, however, has muddled and distorted the definitions and boundaries of Expressionism. Lotte Eisner was especially influential in this, with her book The Haunted Screen. I seem to recall, too, that she expressed some regret for it in, perhaps, the Fritz Lang biography.
Speaking of Lang, it's especially misguided how his films have been classified as expressionistic. For one, he stated he never made such films.
Caligari, however, is one of the truely Expressionist films. Probably the only two other films that are available and indisputably Expressionistic from this period are Genuine and Waxworks. Genuine is probably the best example of Expressionism. The story of Caligari isn't Expressionist, but the sets and other production values are taken from the Expressionist plays of the time.
Additionally, Expressionism was fading before these films were made, and it should seem odd to anyone with a knowledge of art history how the movement died in other arts but, as film historians would have it, flourished in film at the same time and beyond.
"The cinéma is an invention without a future," said Louis Lumière.share
Additionally, Expressionism was fading before these films were made, and it should seem odd to anyone with a knowledge of art history how the movement died in other arts but, as film historians would have it, flourished in film at the same time and beyond.Early European cinema was based on familiar art forms like painting and sculpture, hence the similarity with expressionism as defined in art history today (though not to be confused with it, as you can't link Gothic architecture with Goth music either).
You should watch "Metropolis". It is the best expressionist movie ever made, and in my opinion, the best movie of any kind ever made. If you watch it, watch the 2002 Kino retoration. It is more expensive, but no other version is worth watching, they are missing large potions of the movie, have horrible picture quality, and have the wrong musical score. Do you have Netflix? If you do they have the kino restoration to rent. If you liked "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari", you would almost definitely like "Nosferatu". Also, if you like extremely surreal expressionist movies like "Caligari", you might like "Vampyr", but beware, it is as surreal a surreal can get and then some.
shareI'll try to answer the 2nd question first. Expressionism has been characterized as being very symbolic & stylized (a distortion of reality) in order to present an unusual perspective. I do think Caligari is one of the best examples I've seen. The scenery is literally distorted with odd angles and irrational scale in order to give us the perspective of an unbalanced mind. Metropolis, mentioned by others, is another fantastic one.
Then there's the Hitchcock classic Spellbound which has a wonderful Expressionistic sequence toward the end where they go through a Freudian psycho-analysis. The rest of the film isn't necessarily Expressionistic, though.
If you're not ruling out recent films, I highly recommend the German film Tuvalu (1999) and the Canadian film The Saddest Music in the World (2003). Tuvalu is just amazing, essentially a silent film in tinted monochrome and with enormous sets to feast your eyes upon. Saddest Music is a throwback to the depression-era b&w films (right down to the vaseline on the lens)--it's definitely stylish, and it definitely distorts reality. You might even find it hilarious.
Oh, and if you can manage to find Le bunker de la dernière rafale (1981), that might be right up your alley. I was utterly confused, but I think that's the point. It's about an isolated military brigade that's slowly losing its mind.
The Spellbound sequence was designed by Salvador Dali, so in theory it's an example of surrealism as opposed to expressionism.
I don't adere to the notion of expressionism being a distortion of reality - it's far less sinister than that. It's all about showing the reality of our thoughts and how we feel.
"Get to the chopper!"
Yes, the Spellbound sequence is an example of Surrealism as well. The distinction between Expressionism & Surrealism is often vague; where does perception end (expressionism) and imagination begin (surrealism)? Generally if it's an extreme distortion bordering on irrational, then we assume it's imagination (surrealism = 'above/beyond reality') while gentle distortions fall within the realm of a person's unique perception (expressionism). But there's no clearcut line, other than what art critics decide.
Caligari itself can go either way. Especially in the case of a madman, perception and imagination are indistinguishable. Does he really see twisted lines & irrational proportions, or does he imagine these things?
If you subscribe to Kant's teachings, there is no way anyone can know absolute Reality (which he designated with a capital 'R') since we're all subject to distortions through our senses and emotions. Even less can we know the subjective reality (lowercase 'r') that exists in another person's head. Expressionism is the artist's attept to bridge that gap and share her reality with others. By the way, I use the word 'distortion' in a purely scientific sense meaning 'deviation from purity'. Nothing sinister is implied. However Caligari does indeed put a marvellous, sinister spin on it.
Nicely put, and yep I'm a Kant all the way.
"Get to the chopper!"
Kant rocks :) That's the only thing that made sense to me when I studied (and subsequently flunked) philosophy.
I'm not well versed in art movements either, but Expressionism & Surrealism are my 2 faves. By the way, I never knew that Dali designed the Spellbound sets; he was quite a character. Thanks for that tidbit!
Of course i would say Nosferatu and Vampyr are great, but also The Last Laugh. That movie isn't really scary, its actually really sad, but its Murnau and its definitely German Expressionism.
"Gee I wish we had one of them doomsday machines, Stainesy"
Murnau`s The Last Laugh is not, on the whole, an expressionist film. One or two scenes may have elements of expressionism, but thats all.
I got it,I got it,I got it...I ain`t got it
Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler is the best silent film under the sun.
black and white movies were better
This isn't a silent film, but an early talkie: "The Blue Angel" by Josef Von Sternberg, starring Marlene Dietrich. It was the film that made her and it's a really good example of German Expressionism--complete with Freudian overtones and Bauhaus lighting. It's also a great story. I think it's hard to find the German version w/ English subtitles, which is better, but the English version is pretty good too. I believe they shot them at the same time. It's one of my favorite films and you can see why Dietrich is a prototype for all other femme fatales who came after her.
shareEven Francis Ford Coppola's Rumble Fish has elements of expressionism. It's one of the most beautifully photographed films of all time, IMO. You could even say it's partly a silent film, as Mickey Rourke's Motorcycle Boy either mumbles or says nothing. Love the shadows thrown up on the walls, too.
share[deleted]