Key Stylisation:
Use of iconography
Dark Stylisation
Use of mirrors,large shadows and optical effects
Concept of rather being stylish than realistic
Mind control and manipulation
See German Expressionism for more comprehensive analysis.
One of the key symbolic pieces in 'Sunrise' is when the lady from the city appears of the man's shoulder as though she is the devil on his shoulder urging him to sin. It is constructed so the viewer expects it to be a narrative surrounding the issue of corruption (The Lady from the City) clearly showing how this corruption takes shape. However, it is more a film about betrayal, sex and love as once they arrive at this supposedly corrupt city they fall for each other all over again.
General History:
1895 - Lumiere Brothers. Invented the first film camera and used it to film realistic scenarios. Set a camera in front of one of their factories and that was the whole film. Realism Born.
1896 - George Melies saw Lumiere Brothers' work and began shooting some of his own magic shows. Accidentally invented the jump-cut when his camera jammed. Was able to make people appear to disappear. Created the first expressionist genre.
Murnau as an auteur directed 'Nosferatu'. He was known for his extreme use of shadow and obtuse props. Exaggerating the most expressionist element of an object. Played on and exaggerated aspects of Nature. Mist, the moon etc. Use of effects like forcing depth of field by forcing things in the background. Miniature models. Painting lighting on sets. Even going so far as to put mud and rocks in the shoes of his main actor to get the heavy-footed stylised walk he wanted. Sweeping camera moves were also expected as some of his own stylistic influence.
'Sunrise' is commonly referred to as the Last Waltz of the silent era of filmmaking. It was released in 1927 which is the same year the first 'talkie' 'The Jazz Singer' was released. It plays like a montage of all the silent era's biggest hits with melodrama, suspense, horror, spectacle, slapstick and tragedy. It is no coincidence that Murnau liked to play around with horror after his fight during WWI for Germany and the horrors he witnessed on the battle fields.
Sunrise Expressionism Essay Awarded Grade A
Essays Should Include:
Realist vs Expressionist Debate
Reference to Core, German Expressionism and Possibly Auteur
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