Expressionism and Kammerspielfilm

Two kinds of films tended to develop in Germany, Expressionism and Kammerspiel. Both types focused far more on the psychological states of the characters than did American films of the same era.

Expressionist films placed characters in settings where the line between the subjective and the objective is unclear. Unusual set design, occult elements, and odd special effects capture the uncentered state of the characters. Great examples of expressionism include The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Nosferatu.

Kammerspielfilm were intimate dramas focused on the lives of characters in ordinary middle and lower class environments. They tended toward psychological studies of one or a few characters. The Last Laugh is a good example of this kind of film.