EL EXPRESIONISMO ALEMÁN | Historia del Cine

Exploring German Expressionism in Cinema

Introduction to Expressionism

• The video introduces the concept of German Expressionism, a cultural movement that emerged in Germany in the early 20th century.

• It highlights Edvard Munch's "The Scream" (1893) as a significant precursor to this movement, emphasizing its subjective nature over the prevailing Impressionism.

• Artists like Oskar Kokoschka sought to express despair, fear, and madness through asymmetrical forms and specific colors, reflecting humanity's darker aspects.

Historical Context

• The roots of Expressionism are linked to Romanticism, which prioritized feelings over reason across various art forms including music and literature.

• The movement gained momentum during a tumultuous period for Germany post-World War I, leading to societal instability and economic hardship under the Weimar Republic (1918–1933).

• Artists began channeling their pessimism into their works as a response to the dire conditions following the war and the Treaty of Versailles.

Development of German Cinema

• During WWI, anti-German films were banned; thus, the government promoted domestic productions with new voices often serving propaganda purposes.

• In 1917, Universum Film AG (UFA) was established to produce historical films and comedies. Notable figures included Ernst Lubitsch who later moved to Hollywood.

Early Influences on Expressionist Cinema

• Precedents for German Expressionist cinema include "The Student of Prague" (1913), exploring themes of duality and moral conflict.

• "The Golem" (1914), based on Jewish folklore about a clay giant defending its people, marked an early shift towards fantastical elements in film.

Key Figures in German Expressionist Film

• Robert Wiene emerged as a pivotal director within this movement; he had theatrical experience that influenced his cinematic style.

• His film "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari," inspired by real events in Hamburg, served as both horror narrative and political metaphor regarding wartime atrocities.

Artistic Innovations

• Wiene added prologue and epilogue elements suggesting that events were dreams experienced by a psychiatric patient.

• The set design featured distorted streets and buildings crafted by artists from Berlin’s Action magazine—key contributors to expressionist aesthetics.

Cinematic Techniques

• Innovative lighting techniques were employed; shadows were painted manually due to limited electrical resources on set.

• Released in 1919, "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" became recognized as the first German expressionist film despite some criticism for its theatrical style.

Legacy of Wiene's Work

The Evolution of German Expressionist Cinema

Early Career and Influences

• The speaker discusses the early career of a filmmaker who joined the prestigious Marks Reinhart theater company, marking the beginning of their journey in film and stage.

• Their first film, "De a clave en blau" (1919), did not gain much attention until their eighth film, a thriller that showcased their talent for creating dark atmospheres.

• The director's military background as a pilot influenced his work, particularly in "Nosferatu," which was produced by Prana Films and adapted from Bram Stoker's "Dracula."

Nosferatu: A Landmark Film

• Unlike other expressionist films like "Caligari," "Nosferatu" was filmed on real locations, enhancing its dreamlike quality with settings along the Baltic Sea.

• Max Schreck played the titular vampire, leading to myths about him being an actual vampire due to his mysterious private life and intense performance.

• Upon its release in 1922, "Nosferatu" was successful but faced legal issues from Stoker's widow, resulting in most copies being destroyed; however, it later became a classic.

Continuing Expressionism: Phantom and Faust

• The director continued exploring expressionism with films like "Phantom" and especially "Faust," based on Goethe’s drama about a pact with Mephisto.

• In these works, he demonstrated mastery over set design, cinematography, and special effects that created unique cinematic moments.

Fritz Lang: A Key Figure in Expressionism

• Fritz Lang emerged as another significant figure in German expressionism; originally trained as an architect before pursuing painting and filmmaking.

• His experiences during WWI shaped his storytelling; he directed “Conde amigo de todos,” which dealt with themes of death reflecting personal tragedies.

Metropolis: A Futuristic Epic

• Lang’s ambitious project “Metropolis” depicted class struggles within a futuristic cityscape intertwined with a love story reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet.

• The film is noted for its visual power through monumental architecture and innovative use of light/shadow to create oppressive atmospheres.

Legacy of Expressionism Beyond Its Peak

• Since its premiere in 1927, “Metropolis” has been regarded as the pinnacle of expressionist cinema influencing future sci-fi classics like Star Wars and Blade Runner.

• Although expressionism waned by the late 1920s, filmmakers like Lang continued to innovate while retaining elements from this movement.

The Influence of German Expressionism in Cinema

The Emergence of Expressionism in Film

• Conrad Veidt, known for his role in The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, participated in significant films like Casablanca. However, the most profound impact of expressionism was seen in horror cinema during the early 1930s amidst the Great Depression.

• Universal Pictures decided to produce monster films based on successful novels and legends from distant lands. Notably, cinematographer Karl Freud worked on Tod Browning's Dracula and later directed The Mummy featuring Boris Karloff.

• Other notable works included The Cat and the Canary and The Man Who Laughs, which introduced iconic characters like the Joker, showcasing how these films contributed to creating memorable villains.

Migration of Filmmakers and Impact of Nazism

• Many filmmakers emigrated to Hollywood in the 1930s to escape the rising threat of Nazism in Germany. Fritz Lang was approached by Joseph Goebbels but fled instead due to ideological differences.

• Despite its brief existence, German expressionism had a decisive influence, emerging from a war-torn nation shaped by anger and devastation. This movement reflected societal darkness through innovative cinematic techniques.

Lasting Legacy of Expressionism

• The power of German expressionism continues today, particularly influencing lighting styles in film noir and horror genres. Tim Burton is a contemporary filmmaker who draws heavily from this aesthetic.

• Burton’s works feature extravagant designs and otherworldly characters reminiscent of classic expressionist themes. For instance, Edward Scissorhands reflects elements from both Metropolis and other expressionist influences.

Revisiting Iconic Characters

• The character design for Batman echoes Fritz Lang's productions. There were even rumors about Burton remaking The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, highlighting his admiration for this classic film.

• The iconic character Nosferatu has been revisited multiple times; notably, Klaus Kinski starred as Count Orlok in a 1979 remake titled Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht.

Modern Interpretations

• In 2000, Shadow of the Vampire depicted the filming process behind Nosferatu with Willem Dafoe portraying Max Schreck (Count Orlok), while John Malkovich played F.W. Murnau.