In this post, I will try to prove that German Expressionism in a film “Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” is more reliant on theatrical traditions and representations, rather than being purely cinematic form of expressionism.
When I was watching “Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” for the first time, I’ve noticed the gloomy atmosphere that was achieved by Chiaroscuro lighting. It gives us the impression of a nightmare, fantasy. As Styan says:
“Its atmosphere was often vividly dreamlike and nightmarish. This mood was aided by shadowy, unrealistic lighting and visual distortions in the set.”. (Styan, J L. 1981)
That was a typical technique for an expressionist play and this film is definitely based on it. In every minute it gives us the feeling of fear and anxiety. Another thing, that I’ve noticed. Is that “Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” was made in a very typical way for that times. It was made to make us feel. To gives us the feeling of paranoia, fear. At that times, plays in the theatre was based on the same theme. Viewers were supposed to feel instead of just giving them some spectacle to watch.
“he was not attempting to write what could be seen, only what he felt —nothing objective, all subjective.” (Styan J L. 1981).
Another thing, typical for theatre which we can also spot in this film is using painted canvas as a background and filming in the studio, instead of making the film outside. As we can see in 00:27-00:31 of the clip below, the mountains in the back are painted on a canvas, which proves my statement.
Acting itself was also very theatrical. It gives even an impression of “overacting”. I would compare this way of acting to puppetry.
“In avoiding the detail of human behaviour, a player might appear to be overacting, and adopting the
broad, mechanical movements of a puppet”. (Styan, J L. 1981).
I think we can see this during the whole film. Actors don’t behave naturally. Their movements are not typical for a human being. They are very dramatic, very expressive, which is very typical for a theatre.
Theatre at that times was not about showing something real. It was more about fantasy, something exaggerated. Actors were wearing costumes, that fit the décor. They were wearing a lot of makeup as well. All of these are typical for a theatre.
“The director and his scenic and lighting designers were afforded opportunities for creative experiment they had not known in the production of realistic drama”. (Styan J L. 1981).
I think Styan has a very good point here. Directors started to experiment, and in my opinion connected 2 worlds- theatre and film. The effect is clearly seen in “Cabinet of Dr. Caligari”.
Styan, J L. (1981) “Expressionism and Epic Theatre” Modern Drama in Theory and Practice: Volume 3. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from http://assets.cambridge.org/97805212/27391/excerpt/9780521227391_excerpt.pdf
European Cinema 