Characteristic and Stylistic of German Expressinism

The special film techniques got German Expressionism (1919-1926). Firstly, there is Chiaroscuro, It’s mean that the arrangement of the light and dark elements in a pictorial work of art. The example of this is low-key lighting that can create dramatic shadow and used to convey mystery, and also monsters lurking in shadows. Secondly, the story of German expressionism films always matched with the visuals in terms of darkness and disillusionment, which mean that the distorted visuals included in this topic, for an example, the actors’ movement, or the set design of the film. Therefore, distortion is also commonly used in both expressionism and later horror films, employed through make-up, camera angles, costumes and strange backdrops. Besides that, there also the oblique camera angles and gothic looking types. The films are often in mood and featuring characters from a corrupt under world of crime.

Nowadays, modern films show the influence of German Expressionism, especially, horror films. The style of German Expressionism is ideal for portraying horrid subject matters.

The film movements of German Expressionism are revolt, self-analysis, madness, primitive, sexual savagery. Revolt which means that rules or instruction that people followed or the aspect of live. Self-analysis means the actors always questioning themselves in the film. Madness means that the point of view of madness man is bad. Besides that, the primitive and sexual savagery, it means includes weapons or maybe unsureal.

Furthermore, there also a style named “Rahmenhandlung” which German word, and also a type of style for German Expressionism; it also called as framing treatment. Next, the depth setting in emotion of character and space, means that build depth by distorting perspective on set that becomes in the same line or closing up with the character.

Animating objects also a part of German Expressionism. In the reference of German language, the objects have a complete active life, which means that they are spoken with the same verbs that human being used to communicate with each other. They give the same qualities to audience that they similar with people attitude, their act and react are also in the same way.

The next will be stylization of the actor that means the gesture of the actor in the film. This is to rule by the sets and the absence of the language. The actor adapts themselves in a pattern of physical body movement and also facial movement to achieve the things that wanted in the films.

Last but not least, there is color filming. This means that is given by creating a toned layer of the actual film to signify night, day or romance.

The information above was briefly explained that the style, characteristic of German Expressionism.