German expressionist film "Dr Caligari"
1. Irregular composition of the background. It stems from Expressionism's opposition to the mechanical imitation of objective reality, emphasizing the importance of artistic expression and form, and pursuing the use of planes and lines; especially one of the representatives of Cyclonus, another important stronghold of German expressionist art activities, Kokoschka excels at reflecting mental torment with strong dynamic and swirling brushstrokes and distorted object deformations.
2. All the government officials who appear are sitting on high stools, even if their heads are against the wall and it is inconvenient to go up and down, after all, they are symbols of power. In the scene in the police station, the tables and stools are extremely symmetrical, resembling a scale, which can be understood as an equal presentation of rights to the outside world.
3. In the second act, the background begins to be sharp, the windows and doors are sharpened geometric shapes, with a grotesque and fantasy style, reflecting some painful and repressed emotions.
4. Ask a question: I don’t quite understand the scene where the monkeys are frequently appearing in the market in the second act. Does the monkey have any symbol?
The above is my personal understanding. If there are any mistakes, please correct me, welcome answers, and welcome discussions.
Although it is a silent film, it has been a hundred years ago, but it can still be shocked in many aspects such as the setting, plot, and character acting. Every frame can be painted.
View more about The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari reviews
