At first, the German film industry was insignificant. It was never popular among other countries in the film industry. German theatres were not even showing German films but instead American, French, Danish, and Italian films. German films soon were barred by America and France from their theatres, and because they weren’t powerful enough, they cannot ban them in return. But this was all after the World War I. Things became different when the German government finally supported the film industry.
German Expressionism emerged
during the 1920s when it coproduced with companies in other countries. Drama
and comedy were the typical film genre that is why German films concentrated on
only three genres which are adventure, detectives, and exotic settings. German
films kept on improving in spite of the judgements of other countries. Until
Ernst Lubitsch’s Madame Dubarry became popular not just in Germany but also in
the United States. Lubitsch became the first German director to be hired in
Hollywood.
Expressionism was also an avant-garde movement and it has been significant first on painting, then practiced on theater, then later on in literature and architecture. Company officials decided then to try Expressionism in cinema. They believed that it might be a selling point in the international market.
This was justified when The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari made a success. Because of this, by the mid 1920's, Germany's avant-garde directors continued to make abstract films and they were widely regarded as among the best in the world.
Unlike French Impressionism, which bases its style on cinematography and editing, German Expressionism depends heavily on the mise-en-scene. Distortion and exaggeration are often made to express the story. The actors wear heavy make-up and move in a jerky way. As the Expressionism was accepted as a style, it often function to portray horror, fantasy, or historical epics.
Soon, German Expressionism took its immediate downfall. Because of this on 1924, they began to imitate the Hollywood style. The result of the films even though sometimes impressive, weakened distinct qualities of Expressionist style. Although German Expressionism only lasted for seven years, it's influence in the film industry never died out and it will be forever in the history of film making.
Expressionism was also an avant-garde movement and it has been significant first on painting, then practiced on theater, then later on in literature and architecture. Company officials decided then to try Expressionism in cinema. They believed that it might be a selling point in the international market.
This was justified when The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari made a success. Because of this, by the mid 1920's, Germany's avant-garde directors continued to make abstract films and they were widely regarded as among the best in the world.
Unlike French Impressionism, which bases its style on cinematography and editing, German Expressionism depends heavily on the mise-en-scene. Distortion and exaggeration are often made to express the story. The actors wear heavy make-up and move in a jerky way. As the Expressionism was accepted as a style, it often function to portray horror, fantasy, or historical epics.
Soon, German Expressionism took its immediate downfall. Because of this on 1924, they began to imitate the Hollywood style. The result of the films even though sometimes impressive, weakened distinct qualities of Expressionist style. Although German Expressionism only lasted for seven years, it's influence in the film industry never died out and it will be forever in the history of film making.
No comments:
Post a Comment