Expressionism played a very important role in the artistic scene of Germany, primarily occurring at the onset of the 20th century. It talks about humanity’s role on earth and with each other, and how broader society alienates individuals, while also trying to give off empathy and compassion artists had for each other. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, a silent horror film directed by Robert Wiene can be used as a prime example of the permanence of the expressionist movement in this time of Germanys history, as well as acting as a leaping point to further popularize the traits of the artistic style. The films narrative is surrounded by strange and dark scenes, warping common sights and sounds in an unimaginable barrage of ideas and images. There is always a feeling of unease and intentional surrealism that makes the audience feel uneasy. It brings in the idea of evil and wickedness into the narrative and the people who inhabit a dark, angular world as well. The visuals connect with the internal struggles of the German people. As the
film shows the stifling of life and extreme and corrupt order, the Germans felt the same way. The people of Germany had to endure the hardships with the trauma of extreme violence and loss of life post WW1. The films gloomy tones and angular style doesnt just intend to represent the loss of life that occurred after WW1, but also the loss of freedoms and happiness citizens would have felt before the war. Germans were forced to work for the politicians running their government, just as Dr. Caligari manipulates individuals within the film to do his bidding. While Dr. Caligari is just a single human, the film uses expressionism and its different reality to show that for the characters and the actual citizens of Germany, their tough ways of living were not able to come to an end. Through his film, Robert Weine saw the plight of his fellow German man; the feelings of loneliness and loss of control over ones life. Instead, they felt like they had been put in a dark reality, asking to the one The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari takes place in.