German Expressionism: Summer

                German expressionism

History:

Due to WW1, Germany was alone when it came to trading goods, which included films. Foreign films were also banned in Germany causing there to be very few films left in the country to see which caused theatres to invest into making new films so they can keep their customers and their business. Due to the large selection of new films produced, after the war Germany gained its place in the international film industry. German expressionism mainly focused on the genres Horror and film noir which was typical crime dramas, due to it most likely being easier to imagine and create a certain feelings in the films to the viewers; also people outside of Germany began to love and recognise German films due to the end of WW1, and it was then appreciated in other countries. America had a huge impact on German expressionism due to German film makers during the war to immigrate to America and make their films there without the worry of the war in Germany. Expressionism didn’t last very long and films after the death of expressionism had focused more on lighting and scenery to get the mood in a film, which is still used today. It shaped film that people make today, such as scenes where you can only see shadows, relating to Nosferatu. In German expressionism silent films were integrated into today’s film, especially with horrors to link with the scenery and lighting of the scene, to create an uneasy and tense feeling.

Changes:

Changes within the horror genre has been that there is now a sense of realism in Horror films which make them more scary due to the relatability of the films and the chance that the scenario of villain will catch them. Also with a lot more dialogue there is a deeper plot to add to the mysteriousness and development Horror films. Now in Horror films there is no longer the scenery of German expressionism where as the props and background would represent society and reflect what would go on in the real world at the time.

Famous horror characters:

Dracula: Dracula was built from the fear of the undead, and being immortal and cannot be stopped. He is also feared for his supernatural powers, such as turning into bats and rats and his great strength. Dracula hunts down the typical and helpless female, which would both be physically attractive and he then becomes the film antagonist.

Freddy Krueger: He is constantly after the protagonist. The main scare to Freddy Krueger is his supernatural ability for his soul to survive after he got burned alive and to haunt teenagers by killing them in their dreams. The character scares people the most due to his recognised weapon, his bladed glove, and that the pain would be in a deep sleep which you cannot wake up from.

Jason: The character Jason scares people for the reason that his face is covered and he has a chainsaw which makes him look very suspicious due to you not being able to see expressions, Whether he is angry or sad. Also due to him being mentally unstable he will be very unpredictable making the characters and viewers wary of his next move.

Film Analysis:

Halloween: In Halloween the is a liberal ideology as Laurie is short for Lawrence and she is also does not follow the gender stereotype of being glamorous and going out and instead she babysits. Laurie is also the heroine in the movie as she takes down the villain multiple times. Halloween does not use the settings that most horror movies would use and go by, as the setting was in a suburban street which is fairly well lit and does not follow the usual settings of isolation. The director seemed to be against the idea of young teenagers going out and having sex, as all of the characters which portray the certain ideology of looking nice and going out ends up dying. Halloween was among the first of the slashers, and was incredibly effective due to it being in a suburban area and that it was closer to home for some viewers.

Let Me In: This film is based around the story of Dracula and Nosferatu, but instead the young boy is the vulnerable and weak one as he is bullied by 3 class mates. The female who is the vampire tries to help the young boy throughout the film to help him get stronger, which goes against conservative gender roles. The type of horror is a jump scare horror with the bathroom scene. The girls actions feel unpredictable throughout the film, building on suspense as she finally lashes out on a police officer.

Horror Trailer Idea:

Basic Plot: ghost stuff happening in train station

Teenagers get a late night train

Strange supernatural stuff

Go back to house to research ghosts and spirits.

Gets leaded to an old lady with books on the subject

Old lady gives children a sign not to go near the train station.

Teenagers to back to train station

Scream and a female teenager goes missing

Other teenager(S) go running to find her.

Nothing but the rucksack she was holding.

The ghost is seen.

The end.

Characters:

Character 1: Male – Outgoing, Cowardly but doesn’t show it which could destroy his popularity.

Character 2: Female Braver than first male, and shows her over confidence

Character 3: Either – Supports the first male and is more brave, but easily manipulated and often told what to do.

Locations:

My house

Yarmouth train station

A shed. At someones or a room with a cabin effect.