Influence & impact on contemporary films

Although German Expressionism has ended in the year 1926, there are some directors have used German Expressionism as a reference to produce their film. Some of the films directed by Tim Burton and Alex Proyaz are well known as influenced by German Expressionism. The movies that they produced are more likely depend heavily on mise-en-scene, which include strong characteristics and style of German Expressionism. For instance movies like Batman Returns, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Flee Street, Edward Scissorhands which directed by Tim Burton and Dark City and The Crow which directed by Alex Proyaz are highly influenced by German Expressionism.

Most of the movies have included the themes of German Expressionism, which are revolt, madness, self-analysis and primitive sexual savagery, in the story line. 

The lightings that always been used is low key light, to create shadow and mystery scene. Besides that, the shapes are distorted and exaggerated. For instance, the buildings in those films are highly distorted and it’s abnormal from the reality. The make up in German expressionism’s film are in heavy makeup or gothic style. In the olden days, all of this component are use to create the madness character and story, but nowadays, there are different director apply these and produce as a horror film. Moreover, the actor with heavy makeup (special character) often moves in jerky or slow, sinuous patterns. The outlook of the characters in those films is similar with the original German Expressionism movie Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, for instance, Edward Scissorhands is inspired by the character of Cesare. 

The film noir is one of the influences from German Expressionism. Film noir is using real lighting to create contrast between shadow and light, as opposed to the expressionist’s use of lighting through painted sets.