CNM: German Expressionism

Basically, from what I've seen and watched and researched in the internet about the German Expressionism, is that it's a style or sort that has contrasting properties, mostly the contrast dark and light, of colors black, white and gray.

German Expressionism is quite easy to understand. First would be the striking difference of dark and light portrayed in G.E. films. Most of German Expressionism categorized films are black and white (if not all). I even mistook German Expressionism films as all horror movies, but that's not the case. It's just because of the morbidity and eeriness of the films which make it "horror-like".

Most films I've seen that are under the German Expressionism category are rather dark, gloomy, void of happiness. The storylines of films are serious and has little to no humor at all (unless you find a creepy movie like "Dracula" funny, then it's your take), and the editing (if there is) are just basic.

It's almost like every German Expressionism film is categorized under horror, but only 'almost', and it's probably due to the mandatory black and white screen. We watched a sample clip of Dracula, and I admit it gave me the chills, specially with being in black and white; somehow it adds to the appeal.

CNM: Chien Andalou film

I can't really recall if that's the title of the film, but I hope it's very similar to it, or at least sounds like it.

Anyways, to go straight to the point, this film is a sample of French Surrealist film. Now, going to the details of the movie, it's a silent film, with no dialogues whatsoever. I must say that the plot, if you can call it that, is just weird. In all honesty I never understood what the storyline is really all about, but it involves a man, who seemed to have a twin or maybe an alter ego that came from the future (?), and a woman who the man ravishes or has sexual feelings for. I won't waste my time telling you MY point of view of the storyline, but the important thing is that, I realized that, this is how French Surrealist films work.

French Surrealist, based on this film, are weird, full of nonsense and has no plot. Check on both parts, and all I can say is that it made me react aggressively to the film; there are certain scenes which are disturbing but fun (for me!) to watch, and I never did hesitate to shout out loud, to scream, to laugh, and to cry out in horror. (Sample would be when they sliced an eye; CREEPY!)

So basically that's all; it's a French Surrealist film that I guess is worth watching, IF you are into weird and chaotically plotted films.



THE SLICING OF THE EYE ->