German Expressionism originated as an artistic movement in early 20th century Germany that influenced cinema through its use of abstract and non-realistic sets and scenarios exploring themes of insanity and a hostile world. Key characteristics of Expressionist films included distorted perspectives and sets designed to reflect a protagonist's state of mind. Expressionism later influenced the film noir genre, featuring cynical characters in dark stories. Famous German Expressionist filmmakers like Fritz Lang, Robert Wiene, and their films like The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Metropolis had lasting impacts and influenced later directors such as Tim Burton.

2.  German Expressionism is a cultural
movement that is challenging to define as it
is not distinguished by a singular style or
method of creation, but rather is better
described by both the mind-set of the artist
creating the work and the generation he or
she lived in.

3.  German Expressionism came into the cinema
and architecture artwork. Expressionist films
often revealed things such as sharp edges,
tall buildings, crowded environments etc.
Two genres which were influenced by
German Expressionism are horror and film
noir. There is an unusual approach to how
these films are set.

4.  Expressionist films were used with absurd
and non-realistic sets, including abstract
shapes and shadows. German expressionist
films dealt with intellectual films such as,
insanity and madness. The expressionist
influences in its scenography and
perspective.

5.  Hostile, threatening world.
 Difficulty of determining truth or reality.
 Protagonist must solve a sensational crime, usually murder.
 The alluring, independent, usually dangerous woman is often a mystery,
requiring solution.
 Sexuality a driving force.
 Expressionist distortion of protagonist’s perceptions, state of mind,
obsessions, anxieties, desires.
 Hard-boiled, cynical, disillusioned characters.
 Strong sense of insecurity, betrayal, or being trapped, with an unhappy
ending.
 Use of shadows and deep focus to express the protagonist’s isolation.
 Filmed in black and white, often at night.
 Extreme tracking shots.
 Voice overs.
 Examples: DOA, The Postman Always Rings Twice, Double Indemnity,
Touch of Evil, Strangers on a Train,
 Maltese Falcon, Key Largo, The Big Sleep, The Third Man

6.  Fritz Lang was born in Germany and was a
Jew. He was a German-Austrian filmmaker,
screenwriter, and occasional film producer
and actor. He converted to Catholic and
moved to America because of the Nazis
outbreak. Once he got to America, people
knew about his films and he was signed to
MGM Film Studios. His first film was Fury
which was a crime-drama genre (Film Noir).

7.  Robert Wiene was an important film director
of the German silent cinema. He is
particularly known for directing the
influential German silent film The Cabinet of
Dr. Caligari and a succession of other
expressionist films. Wiene also directed a
variety of other films of varying styles and
genres.

8.  Tim Burton is a massively famous film
director. Some of his most popular films are
Edward Scissorhands, Alice in Wonderland
and The Nightmare Before Christmas. We can
see from those three films that Burton was
widely influenced by the German
Expressionism.

9.  The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari (1920)
 Nosferatu (1922)
 Last Laugh (1924)
 Faust (1926)
 Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927)
 Metropolis (1927)
 M (1931)
 The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)