FILM ESSAY

Nosferatu - German expressionism

The film chosen in relation to German Expressionism is Nosferatu: Symphony of Horrors (1922) directed by Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau.
The film is a graphic adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel, Dracula. The plot is fairly similar to the novel, with some significant changes with regards to certain characters (as well as their names). Its genre is horror and durates for an hour.

Based in the 19^th century, the plot revolves around Count Orlok’s (Dracula) plot to leave the dangers of living in Transylvania and live off the living in Wisborg, a village in Germany (in contrast to London in the novel) and Thomas Hutter’s (Jonathan Harker) plan to save his love and the village.

Just to start, German expressionism is a movement in art, literature and media that developed due to the reaction of Germany’s younger generation against Germany’s bourgeois during the time period between 1920 and 1927. The style was unique as the work created involved  psychological, political, social as well as cultural responses. All this began when the German Expatriates including filmmakers moved to America between 1920’s and 30’s and there was a high influence on the style of filmmaking in Hollywood especially in the lighting effects.

In fact, the film Nosferatu is a key example of German expressionism. Lighting, music, character portrayal and setting all highlight the emotional aspects of this movement. Also, the narrative itself highlights a social issue that was a global health concern around the world: The Black Plague:

(Screenshot from the film, taken by Windows Media Player)

The Black Plague is portrayed in the film as Count Orlok’s effect on people, symbolized by the rats that follow him.

The music and character portrayal are both synced together to bring out the film’s emotions through the characters and the ongoing plot (the basic message of German Expressionism). Certain characters, such as Orlok, are emphasised by different instruments. Orlok’s case was done by shrill high notes played by organs.

The lighting and setting of the film is also synced as the contrasting black and white colours and locations with different shades and areas that were present in the times of Germany (such as the German salt storehouses in Lubeck, Germany). Murnau with the help of the scriptwriter, Henrik Galeen, wanted the film’s colours to also bring out the genre (horror) of the film, especially in suspenseful scenes. The framing of the characters also brings out the beauty of this form of Expressionism; the below picture shows Orlok’s shadow. Just the shadow’s position and posture emphasizes the horrifying and evil character of Orlok.

 (Screenshot from the film, taken by Windows Media Player)

There are some of point of views such as Close ups, Cut-Ins and Mid-shots which highlight different emotions as well as Long shots that set the scene. But most importantly the visual styles are cleverly manipulated in order to bring out the genre’s film. Night scenes, dark intense shadows on the walls, grotesque figures, deep focus camera shots and low-key lighting are all combined to create such a horror film. Another important aspect is the use of Chiaroscuro: the use of areas of light and darkness in a painting: (by Caravaggio) which clearly develops a bold contrast affecting the whole composition of the scene.

To Sum up, Nosferatu which is closely related to German expressionism, gives this horrifying taste through different aspects. As discussed above, there is a significant influence by the German filmmakers mainly on the Visual styles; the Chiaroscuro. Even if no one talks in the whole film, it is still a successive one and I believe that today's filmmakers will seek relative inspiration in order to build their own.

Bibliography:

Movie List on mubi.com. 2013. German Expressionism: The World of Light and Shadow. [ONLINE] Available at: <http://mubi.com/lists/german-expressionism-the-world-of-light-and-shadow>. [Accessed 18 December 2013].

Guides for the UMD community at University of Maryland Libraries. 2013. About German Expressionism - German Expressionism Collection. [ONLINE] Available at: <http://lib.guides.umd.edu/content.php?pid=231868&sid=1918114> [Accessed 18 December 2013].

Camera Shots. 2013. Camera Shots. [ONLINE] Available at:<http://www.mediacollege.com/video/shots/> [Accessed 18 December 2013].

IMDb. 2013. Nosferatu (1922). [ONLINE] Available at: <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0013442/?ref_=nv_sr_1> [Accessed 18 December 2013].

Thor - Film

Thor 2011

This action film depicts the story of a fantasy world where there is Thor (brilliantly played by Chris Hemsworth) who wants to be the king after his father but because he is so stubborn and arrogant this father casts him down to Earth in order to prove himself worthy. However, his step-brother Loki takes advantage of the situation and attempts the fall of Thor’s kingdom so that his own kind would reign upon them. Eventually, Thor becomes aware of this through the help of his friends and while falls in love with a human being, he has to go back and save his kingdom.

Thor- Behind the Scenes, 2011. Thor. (online) Available at

http://www.rancidrainbow.com/freakshow/wp-content/gallery/thor-behind-the-scenes/thorbehindscenes002.jpg (Accessed 27 October 2013)

When we’re talking about a film with adventure, the feeling of movement comes across naturally. In this screen shot we can see the protagonist with his friends running towards the camera although the camera angle is slightly downwards to show us all the actors' faces while running since they are running randomly. This is similar to a wide shot and we can also see the background where the soldiers are standing still in contrast with the moving actors which are a bit distorted.

YouTube. 2013. Thor Gets Back His Power. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCjPBpdlccM. [Accessed 18 December 2013].

This video clip features both stillness and movement and time as well. In fact, it begins with a slow motion and this effect brings more tension in the viewer making the moment more stressful and longer. It also emphasizes the decision made by the main character which changes everything. Exactly after that we can see a wide shot where the view is so far from the subject that he isn't even visible. This is done to show us the devastation done by the robot.

In 1.45min we start seeing faces and lots of expressions. This is a close up shot so we can sort of feel their emotions and maybe try to empathize thus  imagining what it would be like to be in their situation.

Personal Reflections:

The film was worth watching. There is a wide variety of camera movements and angles and when combined, they create a certain genre which in this case is fantasy and adventure.  We could also have discussed the costumes and the choice of music. For example in that video clip, at the beginning of it, sounds were really low and everything was slowed down even camera movements so we can enter in the actor’s situation and kind of prepare ourselves for a change ( in his case resignation)

IMDb, n.d. Thor. (online) Available at <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0800369/?ref_=nv_sr_2> (Accesed 27 October 2013)

Camera Shots. 2013. Camera Shots. [ONLINE] Available at:<http://www.mediacollege.com/video/shots/> [Accessed 18 December 2013].

Jack the Giant Slayer - Film

Jack the Giant Slayer 2013

This film depicts a story of a young farmer Jack, who unintentionally gets possession of some beans which are able to give access between two worlds. Back in history, these two had an unfinished debate and during the second meeting with the princess, the beans unleash the connection between the two and the princess ends up in the reign of the giants. This is where Jack (played by Nicholas Hoult) and the crew depart for this journey to get back the princess while risking their kingdom’s fall due to another unexpected war.

The Cloister Castle

Housing Interactive, 2003. Let 2013′s Wildest and Wackiest Movie Homes Inspire You. (online) Available at <http://www.housinginteractive.com/global-realtor-blog/movie-homes-2013/> (Accessed 27 October 2013)

It is evident that a lot of movement was captured in this scene. I chose this in particular to observe the actions which are happening in the area. Horses which are running straight to the castle, fire burning and smoke coming up of the sea surface clearly shows us the stage of a battle. All this rush is being brought out by the outbreak of a war between Jack’s kingdom and the reign of the Giants. As for camera position, it is quite a long shot to bring out the element of a battle and the castle which is seen to prepare defending its kingdom by the use of fire.

You Tube, 2013. Jack the Giant Slayer Movie CLIP - Run! (2013) - Nicholas Hoult Movie. [ONLINE] Available at:<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4roqTB4eqH0>. [Accessed 18 December 2013].

In this one minute of shooting, it’s all about how to capture all that movement.

In the beginning there was this extreme wide shot from behind to establish the shot. At first there is no sound except for the voice of Jack which is yelling run.. however horses are still moving slowly so at first there was stillness.

Moreover as the princess realises that there are giants behind.. we see her in this close up shot to show us how surprised and astonished she is. In all of a sudden, the next shot is again extremely wide and shows all of the giants coming out from the forest with a high pitch of sound of the actors screaming and yelling and lots of movement. So here we could say that camera movement and sound was combined to bring this drastic change across.

Something which I also noticed was at 0.37 the camera angle was slightly lowered down to the ground to show us that the giants are reaching the soldiers from behind. In fact, the giants grew bigger in three seconds and with the help of the lowered down shooting, it was more effective.

Personal Reflections:

On the whole, the film was worth watching with lots of action. The plot was well planned and achieved certain goals. Costumes were adequate for that certain time period which I believe that was around the 14^th century from the way castles were built, society which was still divided; the very rich (bourgeoisie)  and the poor villagers (proletariat).

IMDb, n.d. Jack the Giant Slayer. (online) Available at <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1351685/?ref_=nv_sr_1>  ( Accessed 27 October 2013)

Camera Shots. 2013. Camera Shots. [ONLINE] Available at:<http://www.mediacollege.com/video/shots/> [Accessed 18 December 2013].