The Cabinet Of Dr. Calgari -Robert Weiner ,1920

Regarding Roland Barthes's semiotics theory,which outlines texts are encoded with visual codes to create meanings, moving image codes are used within this film to create tension including, costumes, body language ,camera angles. I was intrigued by the tension created through the camera. Using the means of close-up shots focusing on the expression of a character’s face, the film successfully narrates the feeling and emotions through the film leaving the audience in shock as they need to discover what caused the disposition of the faces of the damsel in distress ‘jane’ , juxtaposed by the dark expression of the monster hidden within the coffin. Throughout the film, it is also suggested that music is used to heighten tension which further creates suspense held on close-up shots with characters . Complementing the intense atmosphere the lack of color, common in film noir films, highlights the body language and expression held by the characters allowing us to focus on the reactions.

Film Noir and German Expressionism :

Throughout the film I was intrigued by the way in which they subverted the expectation of a horror film intertwining physiological themes while embedding the stereotypical tropes of the damsel in distress and monster, which would be considered advan garde for the time period and experimental. Throughout the film it is clear it pioneers the start of film noir embedding the shadowy angles and physiological themes as seen through the flashbacks at the start immediately creating a sense of confusion ,in many ways redefining and expanding the horror as a genre is .

Regarding the narrative, its interesting too note the lack of linear structure which draws attention to why this was done. Within the opening shots, we are invited to see a flashback to a characters thought. Throughout the film, we follow his perspective with the distorted angles and shots, in which reflect th fear within Germany at the time. The shots are used to reflect the emotions and fear of the characters reflecting the feelings in Germany post war . Overall , on reflection this film expanded my understanding of the relationship between colour and camera angles within film ,for it explores the way black and white colourpallete can be used to reinforce the distortion of the camera emphasising the psychology of one of the characters in the insane asylum .