German Expressionism burst onto the scene in the aftermath of World War I, ushering in a new era of psychologically charged cinema guided by striking visual styles. On this episode of Cinema Scope, Professors Ken Dancyger and Dr. Ian Roberts join host Andy Nelson to delve into the movement's most influential films to better understand its roots and lasting impact. From the distorted sets of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari to the subjective camerawork of The Last Laugh, German Expressionism transformed how stories are told on screen while wrestling with postwar society's deepest questions.The trio examines how The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari pioneered expressionism's signature warped worlds and psychological stakes. Meanwhile, The Street marked the start of dark "street films" depicting urban temptation and failure. Pandora's Box shocked with its sexually liberated heroine Lulu who meets a grim fate, reflecting societal tensions. And in Fritz Lang's masterwork M, sound arrived alongside a chilling study of a child murderer that remains deeply unsettling. Beyond these highlights, they mention a variety of other films of the Weimar era of cinema that fall under this umbrella.Through these expressionistic works, German cinema found its voice after national defeat. While the movement briefly flourished, its shadows extended far into noir, horror and beyond. This seminal podcast episode peels back expressionism's distorted lens to uncover a formative movement's disturbing insights, aesthetic innovations and enduring influence on world cinema. So step into the shadowplay of Weimar Germany and see early film push psychological boundaries in inventive new directions.Film SundriesRecommended and Discussed MoviesThe Cabinet of Dr. Caligari on Apple, Amazon, and JustWatchThe Street on AmazonThe Last Laugh on Apple, Amazon, and JustWatchPandora’s Box on Apple, Amazon, and JustWatchM on Apple, Amazon, and JustWatchDifferent from the Others on AmazonThe Holy Mountain on Amazon, and JustWatchAsphalt on Apple, Amazon, and JustWatchPeople on Sunday on Apple, Amazon, and JustWatchThe Blue Angel on Apple, Amazon, and JustWatchOur Letterboxd ListRecommended BooksFrom Caligari to Hitler: A Psychological History of German Film by Seigfried KracauerGerman Expressionist Cinema: The World of Light and Shadow by Dr. Ian RobertsThe Technique of Film and Video Editing: History, Theory, and Practice by Ken DancygerPainting with Light by John Alton (00:00) - Welcome to Cinema Scope • German Expressionism(02:08) - Our Guests’ Background in German Expressionism(06:48) - What Is German Expressionism?(19:33) - Key Characteristics(01:12:53) - Influences on Other Genres(01:14:10) - Other Films to Check Out(01:17:01) - Wrap Up Star your own podcast journey with the best host in the business. Try Transistor today!Want to upgrade your Letterboxd account? Use our PROMO CODE to get a DISCOUNT and help us out in the process!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel Film Family’s Discord channel!Here’s where you can find us around the internet:The WebLetterboxdFacebookInstagramThreadsXYouTubeFlickchartPinterestAndyWe spend hours every week putting this show together for you, our dear listener, and it would sure mean a lot to us if you considered becoming a member. W...
