Video Essay: German Expressionism, Explained

That dark stylish beauty synonymous with directors like Guillermo del Toro and Tim Burton has its roots in Germany during the 1910s, 20s, and 30s. Here, realism is done away with in favor of the distorted and the surreal. Mirrors, large shadows, and optical effects are abundant. Strange worlds are created through a purely subjective eye. This is German Expressionism…

Created for No Film School by Press Play Productions

[DC-zise]

What I see in common is most of the Expressionist films:
1- Exaggerated colors and absurd tonality
2- Use of Shadows
3- Gothic feel
4- Realistic and overly emotional characters
I think Tim Burton's Batman and Coppola's Dracula are 2 very popular Expressionist films.

[DiogoMaia]

Last Laugh, Metropolis, Nosferatu, Dr. Caligari and many more are truely masterpieces of this great movement of cinema.

[AQWMalkoir]

one of my favorite periods of cinema. Great vid.

[brinhauptmann]

Thanks for this. One of my favorite periods in cinema.

[natashakvlt]

As an actress I can say this video is a very good summary of what I've studied. Very good job!

[jolivas]

I would watch 10 straight hours of this. This is so good. A+

[ogier]

Keep up the good work! Looking forward to the final part of your 2001 videos.
Greetings from Munich.

[Jim-gkso]

I like to make horror films in German expressionism style. Then my thriller films in film noir type style.

[bleedingmetal]

Lots of info crammed into a very short video. Nicely done.

[multimediahelp]

Exactly the same as I was taught at the Academy :). Nice essay

[ScribblebytesWorldwide]

Awesome work. I'm loving your videos 👍

[RuniDjurhuus]

“Edvard Munch” is pronounced “Edvard Munk” :)

[rajsingharora]

OMG so have been Enthralled by Dark....am watching Season 2 right now and I keep wondering how is this Show this Good especially Season 1, what is that the Germans have that is so Unique and then I see this Video by you and that explains so much to me.

[dudders]

German Expressionism > French New Wave (to me)

[vasylmalyshka]

Although I don't like german expressionism movies much the video is very nice and useful

[lewiscranston]

0:50 it's pronounced 'Moonk'.

[annettekeith]

Mild comments cannot work here, since the narrator and the video are relating a powerful art genre, that so changed film, acting, film scripts, German Expressionism had to develop out of the period that still enrages some, but the very base of the genre of painting/illustration draws so many subjects into discussion.  Max Beckman???

[timepalace]

Dr. Mabuse The Gambler was released in 1922 and not 1927. :)

[JohnMervinChocolateThunder]

is this the voice of Cinema Tyler I hear?

[Tomzupp]

How do you explain the strange darkness creeping in?