Rausch talks about expressionism in chapter 7 and its effect on cinema. Expressionism began in Europe in 1906 as a reaction to the works of realists in the previous century. The impressionist couldn’t understand why realist would paint what already exists in the world. They often painted distorted buildings, uneven ground, and grossly distorted human faces. The first attempt at impressionist film was Das Kabinett des Doktor Caligari. After losing World War 2, Germany had a national feeling of displacement and like-minded theater followed. The film was a political allegory that was about totalitarianism and mass murder. So it was pretty much talking about Hitler. The film was taped with one single backdrop featuring an impressionist styled canvas. I think that impressionism can have a great effect on films that a little darker and deeper than others. Because the art is so distorted and somewhat creepy, the director of the film can create a mood or a feeling that would coincide with their dark story. The Film Caligari is said to still be one of the best impressionist films of the entire movement.
