SUMMARY: German Expressionism in Film

German Expressionism is an artistic film movement established in the prolific European filmmaking industry following World War I. It flourished in the 1920s, especially in Germany in the “golden age” of cinema, due to fewer restrictions and less strict production schedules.

Expressionism is a style of art, literature, drama and in film used to represent external reality in a believable way but emotions in striking and stylized ways. 

This movement gives emphasis on the mise-en-scene. It has the characteristics of distorted and exaggerated settings, with heavy, dark and dramatic shadows, unnatural space in composition, distorted or slanted angular shots, unnatural costumes and make-up, unpleasant characters, stylized acting and plots that often dealt with madness, insanity, betrayal and intellectual topics.

Expressionist films also had horror themes where darkness and shadows are in.

German expressionistic films have a strong and significant influence in the development of American films in the late 20s up to 40s, notably the horror film cycle of Universal Studios in the 30s, film noir in the 40s and even sci-fi.

The most famous German Expressionism film is Robert Wiene’s The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.