Silent Film - Sunrise

Question 1

German Expressionism

Answer 1

A cinematic movement that emerged in 1910-20s Germany (Weimar Republic) amid the economic depression, hyperinflation, and humilation/shame of the German people post-WW1.

The films made in this movement reflect the cultural anxiety of the Germans under the Treaty of Versailles’ oppressive economic policies.

Question 2

Features of German Expressionism

Answer 2

• Expressionistic shadows​
• Tilting, physically impossible sets ​
• High angles and Dutch Angles​
• Asymmetrical Cinematography​
• Themes including madness, identity, guilt, violence and coercion ​
• Chiaroscuro lighting​
• ‘Helldunkel’​

Question 3

Statistics concerning Economy of Germany post-WW1

Answer 3

• Germany owed 132 billion gold marks (approx. $400 billion USD today)
• A loaf of bread cost 250 marks in January 1923 -> 200 billion marks November 1923.
• 20%-25% unemployment rate.

Question 4

Marsh Scene Analysis for German Expressionism

Answer 4

• Typical German Expressionist theme: The Woman from The City’s coercion of The Man to murder his wife.
• Chiaroscuro lighting / Helldunkel aesthetic: The Man in the Marsh at night.
• Boundary-pushing cinematography: tracking shot of The Man walking through the marsh, free-roaming camera movement.
• Double-exposure effect / Montage of the chaos of the city, highly expressionistic.
• Overlapping, dissonant score in montage of the city.

Question 5

3 Other Examples of German Expressionism in ‘Sunrise’ (1927)

Question 6

Sunrise as German Expressionist

Question 7

Limitations / Issues with Sunrise as German Expressionist

Question 8

Melodrama

Answer 8

One of two dominant film genres in Hollywood throughout the silent film er

Question 9

Features of Melodrama

Question 10

Wedding Scene Analysis for Melodrama

Question 11

3 Other Examples of Melodrama in ‘Sunrise’ (1927)

Question 12

Limitations / Issues with Sunrise as Melodramatic

Question 13

Bazin’s Cinematic Realism

Question 14

Features of Bazin’s Cinematic Realism

Question 15

André Bazin Quotes

Question 16

Link to Bazin’s Ideas

Question 17

Sunrise Context relating to Bazin’s Cinematic Realism

Question 18

Limitations / Issues with Sunrise as Bazin’s Cinematic Realism

Question 19

Expressionism

Question 20

Expressionism through Bazin’s Cinematic Realism

Question 21

Sunrise Context relating to Expressionism

Question 22

Limitations / Issues with Sunrise as Expressionistic