Tim Burton The new German Expressionism Auteur
Stylistic elements taken from German Expressionism are common today in films that do not need reference to real places such as Blade runner, Dark City, The Crow and Inception.
Ambitious adaptations of the style are depicted throughout the contemporary films of director Tim Burton . The re launch of Batman franchise during the early 90s is often cited as a modern attempt to capture the essence of German Expressionism. The angular building designs and severe-looking city squares of Gotham City evoke the loom and menace present in both Fritz Lang's and Tezuka Utomo’s Metropolis.
Burton’s inspirations are most apparent in the drawings he creates. The playful aesthetics of his drawings and animations continue to inform his work nurturing an engagement with his past. The isolation he felt growing up in the suburban environment disconnected him from the world. This period of solitude focuses his attention to his imagination producing sketches that would serve as blueprints for his film. Burton’s drawings have an air of social commentary, a critique of community and mistrust of social relationship underscore his works.
For instance, Burton’s interpretations are seen in the fairy tale suburban landscape of Edward Scissorhand. The appearance of the titular Edward Scissorhands reflects Caligari somnambulist servant. Burton casts unease in his candy-colored suburb, and the tension is visually unmasked through Edward and his Gothic castle. Burton subverts the Caligari nightmare with an inspired narrative branding, casting the garish somnambulist as the hero and the villagers as the villains.
Ambitious adaptations of the style are depicted throughout the contemporary films of director Tim Burton . The re launch of Batman franchise during the early 90s is often cited as a modern attempt to capture the essence of German Expressionism. The angular building designs and severe-looking city squares of Gotham City evoke the loom and menace present in both Fritz Lang's and Tezuka Utomo’s Metropolis.
Burton’s inspirations are most apparent in the drawings he creates. The playful aesthetics of his drawings and animations continue to inform his work nurturing an engagement with his past. The isolation he felt growing up in the suburban environment disconnected him from the world. This period of solitude focuses his attention to his imagination producing sketches that would serve as blueprints for his film. Burton’s drawings have an air of social commentary, a critique of community and mistrust of social relationship underscore his works.
For instance, Burton’s interpretations are seen in the fairy tale suburban landscape of Edward Scissorhand. The appearance of the titular Edward Scissorhands reflects Caligari somnambulist servant. Burton casts unease in his candy-colored suburb, and the tension is visually unmasked through Edward and his Gothic castle. Burton subverts the Caligari nightmare with an inspired narrative branding, casting the garish somnambulist as the hero and the villagers as the villains.
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