German Expressionism Through Film
Marcus Kulab Johnson
GRM 410
Dr. Harald Menz
German Expressionism and Early Cinema
German expressionism is one of the most fundamental movements of early cinema. With its basic foundation stemming from the creation of the Universum Film AG in 1917 by the German government, expressionism found a happy home in Germany until, arguably the late 1920s (Wolf). Expressionism changed the canvas of cinema with its technical innovations as well as its impact on Hollywood, not only with its borrowing of ideas, but with the emigration of German actors, writers, and directors to Hollywood, such as Murnau and his creation of Sunrise (Welsh, 98). American films at the same time as this movement in Germany were based in realism, with very distinct ideas of good and bad, comedy, and aesthetics. German film was seen as highly compound, with thick, perplexing stories that were more solicitous instead of being superficial.
The notable works from this movement have been time tested references to the rise of cinema, and have been looked upon for reference in film genres in later years not only because of the innovation and place in history, but also for the overt artistic styling that has been difficult to match since. It seems as though German cinema, almost all together must be discussed in its own category. Just as French cinema, historically speaking, Germany has seemed to keep at least a somewhat independent cinema culture from that of Hollywood and its beginnings are either independent from Hollywood or influencing for the most part. Although its beginnings were earlier, “…the period roughly between 1897 and 1908, motion pictures in Germany had graduated from a side-show novelty to a fast developing form, if not of art, then certainly of popular entertainment” (Figge, 308).
“By 1909, however, hundreds of new cinemas were offering longer and more cohesive programs”, which laid the groundwork for the progressive technical explosion that was the Expressionist movement
GRM 410
Dr. Harald Menz
German Expressionism and Early Cinema
German expressionism is one of the most fundamental movements of early cinema. With its basic foundation stemming from the creation of the Universum Film AG in 1917 by the German government, expressionism found a happy home in Germany until, arguably the late 1920s (Wolf). Expressionism changed the canvas of cinema with its technical innovations as well as its impact on Hollywood, not only with its borrowing of ideas, but with the emigration of German actors, writers, and directors to Hollywood, such as Murnau and his creation of Sunrise (Welsh, 98). American films at the same time as this movement in Germany were based in realism, with very distinct ideas of good and bad, comedy, and aesthetics. German film was seen as highly compound, with thick, perplexing stories that were more solicitous instead of being superficial.
The notable works from this movement have been time tested references to the rise of cinema, and have been looked upon for reference in film genres in later years not only because of the innovation and place in history, but also for the overt artistic styling that has been difficult to match since. It seems as though German cinema, almost all together must be discussed in its own category. Just as French cinema, historically speaking, Germany has seemed to keep at least a somewhat independent cinema culture from that of Hollywood and its beginnings are either independent from Hollywood or influencing for the most part. Although its beginnings were earlier, “…the period roughly between 1897 and 1908, motion pictures in Germany had graduated from a side-show novelty to a fast developing form, if not of art, then certainly of popular entertainment” (Figge, 308).
“By 1909, however, hundreds of new cinemas were offering longer and more cohesive programs”, which laid the groundwork for the progressive technical explosion that was the Expressionist movement
Cited: Dilman, J. Clarke. "Class Lecture." History of Film. Seattle University. Seattle, WA. 15 Apr 2010. Lecture. Figge, Richard. "Montage: The German Film of the Twenties." Comparative Literature Studies 12.3 (1975): 308-322. Web. 3 Jun 2010. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/1225667>. Naremore, James. "American Film Noir: The History of an Idea." Film Quarterly 49.2 (1995): 12-28. Web. 7 Jun 2010. Welsch, Tricia. "Foreign Exchange: German Expressionism and Its Legacy." Cinema Journal 38.4 (1999): 98-102. Web. 6 Jun 2010. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/1225667>. Wexman, Virginia. A History of Film. 7. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc., 2009. Print. Wolf, A. "German Expressionist Cinema - From Caligari to Metropolis." German Expressionist Cinema - From Caligari to Metropolis. 29 Mar. 2006 EzineArticles.com. 31 May 2010 <http://ezinearticles.com/?German-Expressionist-Cinema---From-Caligari-to-Metropolis&id=169454>. Web.