Fritz Lang's films are influenced by German Expressionism, which originated in Germany in 1919 and ended in 1930. Extreme stylised mise-en-scène is employed to make the formal organisation of the films obvious (Cook 1999, p. 67). The main concern of German Expressionist films is to create a phantasy world, which is in stark contrast to the real world in order to reflect upon social grievances and chasms:
Expressionism […] is a reaction against the atom-splitting of Impressionism, which reflects the iridescent ambiguities, disquieting diversity, and ephemeral hues of nature. At the same time Expressionism sets itself against Naturalism with its mania for recording mere facts, and its paltry aim of photographing nature or daily life. The world is there for all to see; it would be absurd to reproduce it purely and simply as it is. (Eisner 1969, p. 10)
This is especially evident in Fritz Lang's revolutionary filming technique as the employed shot types and angles enhance angst and paranoia in the spectator. M and The Woman in the Window are also influenced by so-called 'Kammerspiel'-films of the 1920s, through which a new psychological realism emerged. The introduction of sound made it possible for Lang to represent the individual psyche through the character's speech.
Fritz Lang uses universal symbols as a bridge between the character's inner state and the outer world. This also derives from German Expressionism, which aims to discuss low-life subject matters. In M, symbols are used to add further layers of meaning to the film and to foreshadow its plot, whereas in The Woman in the Window they mainly function as symbols of masculinity.
In this essay, the influence of German Expressionism on Fritz Lang's films is discussed by closely analysing and explaining key scenes. It aims to show how the auteur uses key features of this movement to depict the dark chasms of human society.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Expressionist Style in Fritz Lang's M and The Woman in the Window
- Fritz Lang's Revolutionary Filming Technique
- The Influence of Kammerspiel Films
- The Introduction of Sound
- Universal Symbols as a Bridge between Inner and Outer World
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay examines the influence of German Expressionism on Fritz Lang's films, specifically M: A City Searches for a Murderer and The Woman in the Window. By analyzing key scenes, the essay aims to demonstrate how Lang utilizes key features of Expressionism to depict the dark undercurrents of human society.
- The impact of German Expressionist style on Fritz Lang's films
- The use of shot types to enhance paranoia and angst in the viewer
- The role of "Kammerspiel" films in depicting psychological realism
- The innovative use of sound to represent the individual psyche
- The application of universal symbols to connect inner states with the outer world
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The essay begins by exploring Fritz Lang's revolutionary filming techniques, drawing upon the influence of German Expressionism. It analyzes how shot types like high-angle shots and eye-matching shots are employed in M and The Woman in the Window to evoke a sense of paranoia and anxiety, mirroring the inner states of the characters. The discussion then shifts to the influence of "Kammerspiel" films on Lang's work. This section examines how the focus on psychological realism in these films is reflected in the depiction of Hans Beckert's paedophile drive in M, drawing parallels to Rainer Maria Rilke's expressionistic novel. The essay further explores the impact of the introduction of sound on Lang's filmmaking. It discusses the use of dialogue, music, and sound effects to represent the individual psyche, specifically highlighting Beckert's leitmotif whistle in M. This section also analyzes Lang's use of sound to expand the screen space beyond the frame, creating an immersive experience for the viewer. The essay concludes by exploring the use of universal symbols in Lang's films, connecting the inner states of characters with the outer world. The analysis emphasizes how symbols are used to foreshadow the plot in M and to represent masculinity in The Woman in the Window.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This essay focuses on German Expressionism, Fritz Lang, M, The Woman in the Window, film technique, shot types, “Kammerspiel” films, psychological realism, sound design, universal symbols, and the representation of human psychology. These keywords represent the primary themes and concepts explored within the work.
- Quote paper
- Regina Seiwald (Author), 2010, Expressionist Style in Fritz Lang's M: A City Searches for a Murderer and The Woman in the Window, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/165501