2. Art and Industry
German Expressionism
1. True or False. Both the production of American and
German early cinema was dominated by a few large
companies.
2. In the 1920s, what was the attitude of German actors
towards celebrity publicity?
3. What was Ufa?
4. True or False. Directors enjoyed a greater degree of
artistic freedom in Germany than their American
counterparts.
5. True or False. Only a small portion of the films made in
Germany during the 1920s were expressionistic.
11. European cinema
in contrast to America...
did not adopt the vertical integration model
director maintained creative control throughout script
development and editing
12. European cinema
in contrast to America...
did not adopt the vertical integration model
director maintained creative control throughout script
development and editing
connected with an artistic movement already
underway in Europe
13. European cinema
in contrast to America...
did not adopt the vertical integration model
director maintained creative control throughout script
development and editing
connected with an artistic movement already
underway in Europe
celebrities more concerned with artistic reputation
19. Americans
killed 126,000
wounded 234,000
France
20. Americans
killed 126,000
wounded 234,000
France
killed 1.3 million
21. Americans
killed 126,000
wounded 234,000
France
killed 1.3 million
wounded 4.2 million
22. Americans
killed 126,000
wounded 234,000
France
killed 1.3 million
wounded 4.2 million
Russia
23. Americans
killed 126,000
wounded 234,000
France
killed 1.3 million
wounded 4.2 million
Russia
killed 1.7 million
24. Americans
killed 126,000
wounded 234,000
France
killed 1.3 million
wounded 4.2 million
Russia
killed 1.7 million
wounded 4.9
25. Americans
killed 126,000
wounded 234,000
France
killed 1.3 million
wounded 4.2 million
Russia
killed 1.7 million
wounded 4.9
Germany
26. Americans
killed 126,000
wounded 234,000
France
killed 1.3 million
wounded 4.2 million
Russia
killed 1.7 million
wounded 4.9
Germany
killed 1.7 million
27. Americans
killed 126,000
wounded 234,000
France
killed 1.3 million
wounded 4.2 million
Russia
killed 1.7 million
wounded 4.9
Germany
killed 1.7 million
wounded 4.2 million
28.
29. “The German people,
starving and dying by the
hundred thousand, were
reeling deliriously between
blank despair, frenzied
revelry and revolution.
Berlin had become a
nightmare, a carnival of jazz
bands and machine guns.”
Count Harry Kessler,
chronicler of post-WWI
Berlin
42. german expressionist
anti-hero (to the point of being evil)
frequently involves madness, paranoia, or obsession
told from subjective point of view
urban setting
presence of criminal underworld/outerworld
complex architectural and compositional possibilities
strong geometric forms
stark contrasts of light and shadow
45. German expressionism
By 1918, American had 5 big studios, 3 smaller
studios. Germany had 310 companies. Less likely
for vertical integration to take place.
46. German expressionism
By 1918, American had 5 big studios, 3 smaller
studios. Germany had 310 companies. Less likely
for vertical integration to take place.
Due to close ties to expressionist movement, a
strong director was closer to mode followed by other
art forms
47. German expressionism
By 1918, American had 5 big studios, 3 smaller
studios. Germany had 310 companies. Less likely
for vertical integration to take place.
Due to close ties to expressionist movement, a
strong director was closer to mode followed by other
art forms
Producers like Erich Pommer believed in the
economic viability of art
48. German expressionism
By 1918, American had 5 big studios, 3 smaller
studios. Germany had 310 companies. Less likely
for vertical integration to take place.
Due to close ties to expressionist movement, a
strong director was closer to mode followed by other
art forms
Producers like Erich Pommer believed in the
economic viability of art
Actors preferred to be known for their art, not gossip
49. German expressionism
By 1918, American had 5 big studios, 3 smaller
studios. Germany had 310 companies. Less likely
for vertical integration to take place.
Due to close ties to expressionist movement, a
strong director was closer to mode followed by other
art forms
Producers like Erich Pommer believed in the
economic viability of art
Actors preferred to be known for their art, not gossip
Resulted in greater creative freedom and
experimentation
50. What were the themes of
Metropolis?
Compare/contrast the two
Metropolis
worlds. How are they linked?
How can Freder be compared
to Jesus Christ? Maria to Mary?
Who are the other characters?
Describe the role of technology.
Is it always dehumanizing?
How was madness, paranoia
part of this film?
How was the architecture/
geometric lines used to support
the themes of the story?
How was the chirascuro lighting
used?
51.
52.
53.
54. world war 1 interrupted development. sapped
resources
as film shifted from actualities and short films part of
larger program and moved to long form multi-reel films,
cultural differences became more problematic
weren’t familiar with the stories
potentially offensive
Editor's Notes
\n
false. German cinema was dominated by lots of small companies (81 companies produced 185 feature length films in 1926)\nThey wanted to be known for their craft and not for details about their personal lives.\nThe largest production company in Germany - Erich Pommer head producer, brilliant, \ntrue\ntrue\n
We talked early on about the influence of french filmmaking on american cinema, the Lumiere Bros.\n
George Melies. The films of Pathe had been instrumental in keeping nickelodeons afloat until American production had kicked into full gear.\n
But before 1920, the basic tenets of classic hollywood cinema were firmly entrenched. Hollywood was not only successful with domestic production, but internationally as well. (Narrative - not driven by director, but continuity script - film got passed off down the line)\nSimultaneously with the rising industry in America, film kept growing in France and the rest of Europe as well. The three European arenas that have garnered the most critical study. is \n\n
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the vertical integration in this country restricted director to the shooting period. the continuity script was not written by the director - gave detailed instructions. the director didn’t cut the film. In class, we’ve talked the rare exceptions (Griffith, DeMille) WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR THE CONTRAST?\n
the vertical integration in this country restricted director to the shooting period. the continuity script was not written by the director - gave detailed instructions. the director didn’t cut the film. In class, we’ve talked the rare exceptions (Griffith, DeMille) WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR THE CONTRAST?\n
the vertical integration in this country restricted director to the shooting period. the continuity script was not written by the director - gave detailed instructions. the director didn’t cut the film. In class, we’ve talked the rare exceptions (Griffith, DeMille) WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR THE CONTRAST?\n
the vertical integration in this country restricted director to the shooting period. the continuity script was not written by the director - gave detailed instructions. the director didn’t cut the film. In class, we’ve talked the rare exceptions (Griffith, DeMille) WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR THE CONTRAST?\n
Part of the reason why vertical integration did not take hold was because of the impact of World War I. American involvement, while devastating, was not as devastating as it was on the world wide stage. First, we were only involved for the last two years (1917-1919). Lost \n
Over 8.5 million dead, more than 21 million wounded. Worse, the world had never seen death and injury delivered with such viciousness. Poison gas, terror from the skies, men trapped in muddy trenches, blasting away at each other, often for weeks on end with neither side gaining an inch of territory. When the "Great War," the "war to end all wars," the "first modern war," finally came to an end in November 1918, a deeply shocked and horrified world promised itself it'd never let this happen again. People set out to put their lives back together again; people living everywhere but in Germany, that is. \nAlso depleted resources, capital, equipment, reduced the pool of available labor, etc.\n
Over 8.5 million dead, more than 21 million wounded. Worse, the world had never seen death and injury delivered with such viciousness. Poison gas, terror from the skies, men trapped in muddy trenches, blasting away at each other, often for weeks on end with neither side gaining an inch of territory. When the "Great War," the "war to end all wars," the "first modern war," finally came to an end in November 1918, a deeply shocked and horrified world promised itself it'd never let this happen again. People set out to put their lives back together again; people living everywhere but in Germany, that is. \nAlso depleted resources, capital, equipment, reduced the pool of available labor, etc.\n
Over 8.5 million dead, more than 21 million wounded. Worse, the world had never seen death and injury delivered with such viciousness. Poison gas, terror from the skies, men trapped in muddy trenches, blasting away at each other, often for weeks on end with neither side gaining an inch of territory. When the "Great War," the "war to end all wars," the "first modern war," finally came to an end in November 1918, a deeply shocked and horrified world promised itself it'd never let this happen again. People set out to put their lives back together again; people living everywhere but in Germany, that is. \nAlso depleted resources, capital, equipment, reduced the pool of available labor, etc.\n
Over 8.5 million dead, more than 21 million wounded. Worse, the world had never seen death and injury delivered with such viciousness. Poison gas, terror from the skies, men trapped in muddy trenches, blasting away at each other, often for weeks on end with neither side gaining an inch of territory. When the "Great War," the "war to end all wars," the "first modern war," finally came to an end in November 1918, a deeply shocked and horrified world promised itself it'd never let this happen again. People set out to put their lives back together again; people living everywhere but in Germany, that is. \nAlso depleted resources, capital, equipment, reduced the pool of available labor, etc.\n
Over 8.5 million dead, more than 21 million wounded. Worse, the world had never seen death and injury delivered with such viciousness. Poison gas, terror from the skies, men trapped in muddy trenches, blasting away at each other, often for weeks on end with neither side gaining an inch of territory. When the "Great War," the "war to end all wars," the "first modern war," finally came to an end in November 1918, a deeply shocked and horrified world promised itself it'd never let this happen again. People set out to put their lives back together again; people living everywhere but in Germany, that is. \nAlso depleted resources, capital, equipment, reduced the pool of available labor, etc.\n
Over 8.5 million dead, more than 21 million wounded. Worse, the world had never seen death and injury delivered with such viciousness. Poison gas, terror from the skies, men trapped in muddy trenches, blasting away at each other, often for weeks on end with neither side gaining an inch of territory. When the "Great War," the "war to end all wars," the "first modern war," finally came to an end in November 1918, a deeply shocked and horrified world promised itself it'd never let this happen again. People set out to put their lives back together again; people living everywhere but in Germany, that is. \nAlso depleted resources, capital, equipment, reduced the pool of available labor, etc.\n
Over 8.5 million dead, more than 21 million wounded. Worse, the world had never seen death and injury delivered with such viciousness. Poison gas, terror from the skies, men trapped in muddy trenches, blasting away at each other, often for weeks on end with neither side gaining an inch of territory. When the "Great War," the "war to end all wars," the "first modern war," finally came to an end in November 1918, a deeply shocked and horrified world promised itself it'd never let this happen again. People set out to put their lives back together again; people living everywhere but in Germany, that is. \nAlso depleted resources, capital, equipment, reduced the pool of available labor, etc.\n
Over 8.5 million dead, more than 21 million wounded. Worse, the world had never seen death and injury delivered with such viciousness. Poison gas, terror from the skies, men trapped in muddy trenches, blasting away at each other, often for weeks on end with neither side gaining an inch of territory. When the "Great War," the "war to end all wars," the "first modern war," finally came to an end in November 1918, a deeply shocked and horrified world promised itself it'd never let this happen again. People set out to put their lives back together again; people living everywhere but in Germany, that is. \nAlso depleted resources, capital, equipment, reduced the pool of available labor, etc.\n
Over 8.5 million dead, more than 21 million wounded. Worse, the world had never seen death and injury delivered with such viciousness. Poison gas, terror from the skies, men trapped in muddy trenches, blasting away at each other, often for weeks on end with neither side gaining an inch of territory. When the "Great War," the "war to end all wars," the "first modern war," finally came to an end in November 1918, a deeply shocked and horrified world promised itself it'd never let this happen again. People set out to put their lives back together again; people living everywhere but in Germany, that is. \nAlso depleted resources, capital, equipment, reduced the pool of available labor, etc.\n
Over 8.5 million dead, more than 21 million wounded. Worse, the world had never seen death and injury delivered with such viciousness. Poison gas, terror from the skies, men trapped in muddy trenches, blasting away at each other, often for weeks on end with neither side gaining an inch of territory. When the "Great War," the "war to end all wars," the "first modern war," finally came to an end in November 1918, a deeply shocked and horrified world promised itself it'd never let this happen again. People set out to put their lives back together again; people living everywhere but in Germany, that is. \nAlso depleted resources, capital, equipment, reduced the pool of available labor, etc.\n
Over 8.5 million dead, more than 21 million wounded. Worse, the world had never seen death and injury delivered with such viciousness. Poison gas, terror from the skies, men trapped in muddy trenches, blasting away at each other, often for weeks on end with neither side gaining an inch of territory. When the "Great War," the "war to end all wars," the "first modern war," finally came to an end in November 1918, a deeply shocked and horrified world promised itself it'd never let this happen again. People set out to put their lives back together again; people living everywhere but in Germany, that is. \nAlso depleted resources, capital, equipment, reduced the pool of available labor, etc.\n
Over 8.5 million dead, more than 21 million wounded. Worse, the world had never seen death and injury delivered with such viciousness. Poison gas, terror from the skies, men trapped in muddy trenches, blasting away at each other, often for weeks on end with neither side gaining an inch of territory. When the "Great War," the "war to end all wars," the "first modern war," finally came to an end in November 1918, a deeply shocked and horrified world promised itself it'd never let this happen again. People set out to put their lives back together again; people living everywhere but in Germany, that is. \nAlso depleted resources, capital, equipment, reduced the pool of available labor, etc.\n
At the end of World War I, Germany was surrounded by a military blockade. The Allies wanted to ensure that Germany would accept the terms of the peace they had yet to design. It was a blockade enforced with a vengeance. French hatred for the people who'd started the war in the first place was made explicit in Prime Minister Clemenceau's remark that there were still 20 million Germans too many. So, too, was their fear when Clemenceau added that while other nations have a taste for life, Germans have a taste for death. \n\n
In the months between Armistice Day (Nov 11, 1918) and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in June 1919, an estimated 700,000 Germans died of hunger. \nKathe Kollwitz, poster, is an example of something else that was happening in Germany at the time.\n\n
Kathe Kollwitz - sketches capture the despair of the time.\n
Kathe’s work was part of a larger movement that had already gathered momentum in Germany at the end of the 19th century.\n
Edvard Munch - the scream 1893. Modernist movement in art that had been inspired by the nihilist philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche\n
George Grosc, THE CITY, 1916/1917\n
emotionally agitated, high contrast, primitive, \n
Prior to Reinhardt, directors had just been one of the actors that took on additional responsibilities. Reinhardt would re-define the job.\nAustrian born, worked in German - contemporary of Brecht\n\n
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Reinhardt was particularly notable because of his use of chirascuro lighting\narchitecture and chirascuro lighting\n
scene from Midsummer Night’s Dream - he directed on film 1935\nSome of the most enduring films that came out of Germany came out of the Expressionist movement. Weren’t all the films - they had their share of comedies and melodramas. The first, was....\n
Set on a fairground, over city rooftops and in an insane asylum, the film tells the tale of one highly suspicious Dr. Caligari who hypnotizes Cesare, his ghoulish assistant, and sends him off to kill.\n
Erich Pommer was one of the more successful producers that emerged from the period. He believed that art could be big business.\n
this was partially done simply because of budget demands. lacking the capital for elaborate sets, the design was much more economical. but, also Rohrig and Reimann were both expressionist painters during the time, so tapping them to paint the background fused film with the modernist art movement in a way weren’t doing in Hollywood.\n
architecture - for example, by stairways and their railings, mirrors and reflecting windows, structures jutting every bit as vertically as they do horizontally so that...\nwhat does this remind you of...\n
we influenced them as well - Chaplin was particularly influential in Germany (probably theme of alienated stranger maybe?)\n
there was common acknowledgement that American way was more efficient. talk of adopting it - UFA eventually did.\nThe ties to the expressionist movement led to a freedom of \n
there was common acknowledgement that American way was more efficient. talk of adopting it - UFA eventually did.\nThe ties to the expressionist movement led to a freedom of \n
there was common acknowledgement that American way was more efficient. talk of adopting it - UFA eventually did.\nThe ties to the expressionist movement led to a freedom of \n
there was common acknowledgement that American way was more efficient. talk of adopting it - UFA eventually did.\nThe ties to the expressionist movement led to a freedom of \n
there was common acknowledgement that American way was more efficient. talk of adopting it - UFA eventually did.\nThe ties to the expressionist movement led to a freedom of \n
religious themes/man vs technology\nGerman people would have seen God as cold and judgmental at this point, unresponsive to their cries.\nnot unusual for religious films to see the city as example of man’s hubris. it is the way we use technology that is problematic (Bible ends with the creation of a city.)\n\n
trench foot and trench mouth came from spending so much time in the trenches.\n
hyperinflation\n
Murnau preparing Emil Jennings for scene from FAUST\n
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into the wicked type whose face is graced with a bizarre smile. The wise type is smaller than the soldier, yet holding his book and pointing heavenward, he tries to reason with the soldier. The simple type wears a dunce hat and a ridiculous facial expression. The wise man points aloft to God, while the wicked soldier points at the simple one, reflecting a derisive attitude.\n
