CINEMATIC EXPRESSION-Surrealist and Weimar Cinema

In Surrealist cinema, arbitrary, disparate elements are conveyed as such, and are intended to reflect the Surrealist removal from reality to a dream like internal “playful” reality. In the world of Weimar cinema, with reference to “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari”, this film appears Surrealist at first glance in its distorted set, abandonment of perspective, exaggerated reality. However, it probably leans more to German Gothic literature in that it conveys a nightmare of madness, not a surreal dream. But the film is more than this. What is interesting in “Caligari” is the aesthetic of the film. “Caligari” conveys a sense of claustropobia, static shots, close ups, imposing border encloses the viewer in a world of darkness. The contrived set, over the top performances create a sense of being immersed in a world that is crazy, and the narrative reflects this. In comparison to say Griffiths, “Birth of a Nation”, where the narrative finalises to a logical conclusion, with the editing used to result in this, in Cagliari, the narrative is all over the shop! Introducing an element that could be considered new in terms of filmic expression. The lines of movement reflect a zig zag, creating a sense of disorder and confusion that is possibly more reflective of German Expressionist art movement, taking its cue from the Futurist movement.