What are the key elements of the German Expressionism art movement?
Characteristics of German Expressionism
- High angles.
- Deep shadows/chiaroscuro lighting.
- Extreme camera tilting.
- Impossible sets.
Why is M by Fritz Lang important?
M, German thriller film, released in 1931, that was noted for its use of groundbreaking lighting techniques and offscreen sound to maximize a sense of horror. M was German director Fritz Lang’s first sound film, and it featured Peter Lorre in his first major screen role.
What is Tim Burton’s style of German Expressionism?
Tim Burton has a very distinctive and visionary filmmaking style with an emphasis on dark, expressionistic settings and design work and macabre subject matter. Thematically he is drawn to tales of outsiders, isolated from society due to their physical characteristics or psychological quirks.
What was the point of German Expressionism?
German Expressionism is linked to a number of other contemporary movements whose goals were overturning traditional society. These movements all shared a desire to bring about changes in society, frequently with a focus on overcoming the bourgeois class and the strength of the individual.
What techniques are used in German expressionism?
GERMAN EXPRESSIONISM TECHNIQUES Printmaking—including woodcut, intaglio, and lithography—helped the Expressionists advance many important goals, including pioneering formal innovations, broadly disseminating their images and ideas, and promoting or criticizing social and political causes.
What are the chief characteristic of German Expressionism?
German Expressionism was an art movement that emerged in the early 20th century and was characterized by a focus on emotion and ideas as inspiration. The basis of the movement came in stark contrast with other movements that preceded it, which focused on more accurate depictions of reality and nature.
Is M 1931 based on a true story?
The film is supposedly based on the real-life case of serial killer Peter Kürten, called “The Vampire of Düsseldorf”, whose crimes in the 1920s horrified Germany. However, director Fritz Lang has expressly denied that he drew any inspiration from the case.
Where does M 1931 take place?
Berlin
Plot. In Berlin, a group of children are playing an elimination game in the courtyard of an apartment building, using a chant about a murderer of children. A woman sets the table for lunch, waiting for her daughter to come home from school.
What was happening during Expressionism?
Expressionism was not only an aesthetic style, but a trend closely linked to German history between 1910 and 1925, when the country was suffering from rapid industrialization that had led to a collapse of values, and to fragile human relationships, frenetic city rhythms and forced dependences.