German Expressionism

M (1931)

DIRECTED BY FRITZ LANG This film was created during the decline of the Expressionist movement. Expressionist elements include the experimentation of sound, bizarre camera angles, and fascinating imagery. This film inspired a sequel, The Testament of Doctor Mabuse.

Pandora's Box (1929) Directed By: Georg Wilhelm Pabst

 

This film was created during a period of transition away from German Expressionism, but still contains many of its elements. It is a morality tale in which the moral is elusive and obscure.
Expressionist Elements:

1. moved away from mass market storytelling and focused on delving into more psychological issues/ stories
2. urban setting
3. Anti-heroic main characters
4. illustrates that that realism should not be taken as a given. 

This film has since been rediscovered and is regarded as a classic of Weimar Germany's cinema. The expressionist values presented in this film are still present in modern media as the act of film-making itself is a form of expressionism. 

The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari (1920)

Directed by: Robert Wiene

 

This film does not merely fit into the expressionist movement: it encapsulates it. It recounts the story of a traveling magician named Doctor Caligari and his sleepwalking assistant, Cesare, is an examination of mental instability and again probes at the strict box of realism. 
Expressionist elements include:
-Madness, paranoia, obsession
-moved away from mass market storytelling and focused on delving into more psychological issues/ stories
The influence of this film had a clear effect on Tim Burton and its influence is visible in his work, such as Edward Scissorhands.

Chase Sequence

The Muffin Day Dilemma 

Camera movements are utilized in a variety of ways within this film in order to connect the audience with the film. The pan shot up is one of the initial shots and works to transition the audience into the plot from the establishing shot. The use of the zoom within the reaction shot creates a sense of engagement for the audience. The Dolly is used in the point of view shot and effectively creates a sense of intimacy between the audience and Anas's character. The intense nature of the action is added to by the use of the pan shot from right to left for both Anas's character and Opiee. It also aids the audience in following the action in a more literal sense. The tracking shot following Opiee allows for a slower moment in the action. It also adds to the suspense of the scene as it elicits a sense of mystery as to the whereabouts of Anas. The extreme close up of Anas's also contributes to the building suspense.
The use of a variety of camera angles aide filmmakers in adding complexity and sophistication in their film. Each of the camera angles have their own purpose within a film. Close ups provide a sense of intimacy with the character. Point of view shots effectively insert the audience into the character's situation and can create a sense of engagement or empathy.  Canting can be used to create a sense of confusion or incomprehension for the audience.
In terms of successes and failures of the film, I feel as though the film was humorous in a sort of quaint way. I felt as though we were also successful in using a variety of portals. The pop-in and outs could use some work but were good for a first effort. A major point to work on is the lighting. The lighting in some of our shots has a distinct green tint which gives the impression that the chase is taking place in a dystopian setting or a prison. If I were to redo the project, I might rethink some of the locations in favor of some with better lighting.