Cabaret 1972 Flashcards
Song to represent opening scene and its elements
Willkommen
- establishes setting
- introduces characters
- opens narrative possibilites
how does Willkommen establish setting
Written Code: 1931
Steam Train –> shows its early 1900
Set in a Cabaret
how does Willkommen introduce characters
MC as the narrator of the movie- introducing the narrative to us- ‘I am your host’
Introducing several characters within the one scene- Sally Bowles in background –> shows her dellusions of being a star , shes selfindugled (shot of audience shows they don’t care)
Brian arriving on train
how does Willkommen open narrative posibilites
Known understanding from audience of Germany in 1931- diversity in cabaret vs rising fascism
Narrative will have tension, hurdles, life will not be easy
Movie itself will be a political/social satirical representation of Germany at that time- as that what Cabaret was and did
how does the lyrics Willkommen, Bienvenue, Welcome
Friend
from Willkommen create meaning with other codes
Acting-
Facial Expression MC: Smiling
Gesture: MC: shakes people’s hand, bending to greet audience - but more puts hand out to audience to welcome us to the cabaret
Mise-en-scene
Prop: distorted mirror
Lighting: High-key, stage lighting- naturalistic for setting
how does the lyrics
Each and every one a virgin
from Willkommen create meaning with other codes
Acting
Gesture: pouting of lips to express kissing
Body Language: dancing- sexual expression
Mise-en-scene
Setting/Location: On a stage
How do the lyrics
Leave your troubles outside
from Willkommen create meaning with other codes
Acting
Costuming- Elke- transvestite
Audience- omission of movement- references to impressionistic art of the time
Mise-en-scene
Subtle expressionistic high-key red filtered- fascism positioned above the stage –> fascism hovering over Germany
The blossom embraces the bee- metaphor for the
Germany population adopting and siding with fascist ideologies
How does the lyrics
‘The sun on the meadow’
work with acting, mise-en-scène and camera to create meaning
Acting
Nazi Youth
Facial expression: smiling
People: talking, not paying attention, drinking, laughing
Body language: social, relaxed
Mise en scene
Setting: German beer garden in country
Props: Communal tables, Beer steins
Character placement: Sitting facing one another
Camera
Shot Types: Close up- do not know he is a Nazi
Angles: primarily eye and high angles
Movement: panning
Social setting- freedom and movement
How does the lyrics
Now Fatherland, Fatherland, show us the sign
work with acting, mise-en-scène and camera to create meaning
Acting
Body language: stand, arm by their sides
Facial expressions: stern, singing, mouthing lyrics, singing along
Nazi youth- voice and tone changes
Gesture: nazi salute
Mise en scene
Character placement:
In lines, standing, no walking Military formation
Stage; elevation of nazi- hierarchy
Camera
Change in the implied proximity
Low angles
No camera movement:Less freedom- less space to move around
What meaning does the acting in Tomorrow belongs to me create
Range of reactions to the rising of fascism in Germany
Youth had been targeted to carry the message
Nazi’s reveal their purpose- their ideology of hate and conquer
mWhat meaning does the mise-en-scene in Tomorrow belongs to me create
Social setting to political performance- beer garden is a symbol/metaphor for Germany
What meaning does the camera in Tomorrow belongs to me create
Beginning- do not know the truth behind the Nazi Movement
Narrowing/tightening of rights and freedoms
End of the song:
Germany’s adoption and compliance to the fascist ideology
What meaning does the song (lyrics) in Tomorrow belongs to me create
Fatherland: reference to Hitler (Fürher)
Germany youth targeted via propaganda
What meaning does the song (lyrics) in Willkommen
- Welcoming inclusive and liberal city- artists, homosexuals, women to express their sexuality
- Non-fascist
What meaning does the acting in Willkommen
- Sexual freedom
- Diversity
- Welcoming
- Safety, for now
What meaning does mise-en-scene create in Willkommen
- artistic/satirical
- Fascism present in Germany emerging ideology with the film
Narrative structure
Equilibruim- Willkommen
Disequilibruim- Tomorrow belongs to me
New equilibruim- Finale
How does the lyrics
Meine Damen und Herren?
In Finale create meaning
Acting
Gesture/Movements: less expressive, understanded
Band members: positioned differently, on piano, slow-motion
No dancers on stage
Mise en scence
Gesture/Movements: less expressive, understanded
Band members: positioned differently, on piano, slow-motion
No dancers on stage
How does the lyrics
Meine Damen und Herren?
In Finale create meaning
How does the lyrics
Meine Damen und Herren?
In Finale create meaning
How does the lyrics
Where are your troubles now?
In Finale create meaning
Acting
Omission of the repetition of the 3 languages- leave in haste
Gesture of the bow- rapid movement, low bow- symbol of bowing to extreme power
Mise-en-scene
Character placement: people aligned with fascist ideology-mixed
Nazi-soldier in centre of the audience- central dominant/central ideology of the country now
what meaning does song in finale create
Distorted instruments, tempo of song: society has changed, is distorted- like mirror
I’m Cabaret- I’m satire- message as propaganda
IMC says goodbye in 2 languages and then flees
what meaning does acting create in Finale
Not a performance anymore but a reality
Not an artistic/expressive welcome but a warning
What meaning does mise-en-scene create in Finale
Fascism has changed/distorted what Berlin once was
Fascism is the dominant political ideology for the German people- but not everyone
What is particuallrily ommitted in Finale
Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome,
Whta elements of Mise en scene is used in mud wrestling scene
Setting and location
Character placement
props
lighting
What setting and location (mise-en-scene) used in Finale and what meaning does it create
Inside the Cabaret
Boxing ring
Meaning:
Performance as political satire
Metaphor- foreshadowing of the fight which will occur in Germany
What charcter placement (mise-en-scene) used in Finale and what meaning does it create
Wrestlers placed in oppositional corners
MC outside of the ring
Meaning
Symbol of fight between opposing sides
Subversive rising of fascism in Germany pre-war
What props (mise-en-scene) used in Finale and what meaning does it create
Mud
Mud used as moustache
Water carbonator
Meaning:
Dirty fight
Hitler revealing himself and his fascist ideologies
Hitler fuelling the fight- propaganda
What lighting (mise-en-scene) is used in Finale and what meaning does it create
High-Key expressionistic lighting on the faces of the crowd
Meaning:
People of Germany’s growing allegiance to the fascist ideology
Structure of timing can be applied to
Temporal order, temporal duration, frequency
Maybe this time
Temporal order of maybe this time and its meaning
Chronological
* montage
Meaning:
Development of Sally and Brian’s physical and emotional relationship
Temporal duration of Maybe this time and its meaning
Contraction of time
* Montage
* J-cuts
* Dissolve
Meaning:
Feeling that relation is progressing over time- weeks/months, changes to location, costuming, hair, lighting (day/night)
Between live performance and blossoming relationship (from Sally’s perspective)
Is there frequency in myabe this time
NO
Is there frequency in myabe this time
NO
Cabaret cast
Sally Bowles - Liza Minnelli
Brian Roberts - Michael York
MC- Joel Grey
Cabaret year
1972
