Expressionism
Expressionism seeks out to show the inner life and emotions of humanity. German expressionism was created from the combination of expressionist art and Germany’s devastating loss in WWI. German expressionism in film was created by the use of lighting techniques, lavish sets, and interesting new camera angles. Three movies that were created during the German expressionist movement in film are The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, Nosferatu, and Metropolis. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari was directed by Robert Weine in 1914. It stars Werner Krauss as Caligari, Conrad Veidt as Cesare, and Friedrich Feher as Francis. Francis is a man tracking the mysterious Caligari after a strange murder. Cesare is the prime suspect. In the end, the movie leaves the audience baffled at what has even taken place. Francis finds himself in an insane asylum. The question becomes: Did anything we see even take place? While some find the ending to be a cheat, it’s an ending that has been used countless times today.