Sunrise- Context, Expressionism vs Realism

Question 1

Realism

Answer 1

An artistic approach and narrative style which aims to represent life, characters, settings and events as closely as possible to reality.
Features of realism:
Authentic locations
Natural acting/ dialogue
Handheld camera
Minimalist production design
Natural lighting
Objective cinematography
Camera around eye level
Continuity editing
Diegetic audio.

Question 2

German Expressionism

Answer 2

Became popular in Germany Post WW1 as a way to reflect the darkness of post war Germany.
Key Features:
Subjectivity
Distortion
Shadows
Light vs Dark
Large constructed sets
Dreamlike landscapes
Extreme angles
‘Unchained’ continuously moving camera
The mise-en-scene representing the psychology of the characters

Question 3

F.W. Murnau

Answer 3

Begun his career in post war Germany where he established his own production studio with the actor Conrad Veidt. The studio was called Murnau-Veidt Filmgesellchatt.
However his career shortly took off, with films such as Nosferatu and Faust. In 1926 producer William Fox invited Murnau to go to America to direct Sunrise.
Murnau died on the 11th March 1931 in a car accident.

Question 4

Fox / Fox Studios

Answer 4

William Fox formed Fox Studios in 1915, their first studio was based in Fort Lee, New Jersey. In July 1926 Fox bought the rights to the MovieTone sound system allowing them to synchronise the score of Sunrise to what was happening on the screen.
Due to the stock market crash of 1929, Fox lost the majority of its savings.
In 1935 Fox merged with 20th Century Studios to create 20th Century Fox.

Question 5

Flappers

Answer 5

Young women in the 1920s who challenged social traditions with their dress and behaviour, wearing fashionable clothes and prioritising freedom. Many people looked down on their lifestyle and viewed it as immoral, outrageous and dangerous. The Woman From The City is an example of a flapper.