German Expressionist aesthetics are characterized by a strong use of light and shadow, distorted forms, angular compositions, and a stylized approach to space aimed at expressing psychological states rather than naturalistic realism. These visual principles were later taken up, to a lesser extent, by American film noir, particularly through its emphasis on lighting contrasts, urban verticality, and a sense of fatalism. Some filmmakers moved directly between these two traditions, most notably Fritz Lang, whose transition from German Expressionism to Hollywood film noir illustrates a clear aesthetic and thematic continuity. This lineage strongly informs my own work: in my short films and video pieces, I seek to foreground this expressionist and noir influence through framing, lighting, and atmosphere, drawing in particular on the legacy of two filmmakers who inspire me most, Fritz Lang and Alfred Hitchcock.
Pražský vampýr (2025)
