The Cabinet Of Dr Calgari (Robert Wiere 1919)

'There is no abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward you can remove all traces of reality' -Pablo Picasso

The Cabinet Of Dr Calgari started so many new ideas for filmmaking that are still evident in contemporary cinema. It was the leading film for the popularity of expressionism in cinema. Although the plot is quite traditional it is filmed in a very untraditional, expressionistic way, similar to Melies’ ‘Trip to the Moon’, which is shot in a very unrealistic format and exaggerates reality.

Expressionists are not interested in producing the outer reality, rather the ‘inner life’. How the subject is shot is important, and this introduced a greater need for the art director who designed the lighting, scenery, and costumes. The sets in ‘the Cabinet Of Dr Calgari’ are strange, extreme and irregular, such as the sideways doors and angled walls. Many of the shadows are distortedly painted on the floor and ceiling, this creates such an interesting effect that I as a designer would love to explore. The painting of the shadows could have been a functional thing, as there was not much budget for lighting. Dark shadows, along with the lights unexpected camera angles, expressionistic lighting and high contrasts create an eerie mood and an insane, claustrophobic world.



The story is shot in a studio, which helps keep control over the set. The set is purposefully depicted as a fake world with an unfinished quality. None of the objects and props are functional to help emphasise that the action is being viewed through the eyes of a mad man who is not to be trusted.

Robert Wiere is thought to be the founder of horror films starting the traditional Hollywood genre still used in contemporary film, consisting of a mad scientist or Doctor, his monstrous creation and the damsel in distress who they terrorise. Wiere influenced many other historical expressionist films such as Dracula (Tod Browning- 1931), Frankenstein (James Whale-1931), Hitchcock films and film noir. Contemporary films such as Batman Returns (Tim Burton- 1992) use the techniques of expressionism with the high, angular buildings and sideway shots.

A contemporary audience would enjoy this film purely for its artistic presentation, it is a must see for any film lover.