"M"

1) What is the author's argument for the success or lack of success for films that deal with these themes? 2) Choose two of the films sampled from and analyze how they depict murder in the film and how it relates to M.

     In the blog "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep: A brief history of child murder in cinema" the author explains that many of the films that became successful and featured child murder, did not explicitly show any of the gruesome acts but, rather only mentioned it. As the author mentions in his opening line "child murder and pedophilia" is a "queasy subject" and a taboo for society. Cinematographers are at a disadvantage when trying to make a film that incorporates these themes. Nevertheless, the more successful ones, are able to incorporate said themes into a broader subject such as: Insanity or Socio-economic factors.
      
     In the case of the movie "M (1931)" there is a child murderer lurking in a German town, which is eventually captured and convicted. This classic film, readily omits the portrayal of the killings, and also does not go into much details of the killings. It seems to just scratch the surface and not really delve into any specifics. I believe this is the reason why it was accepted by the audience. 

    A night on Elm's Street is another classic film that features child murders as a theme. This movie was a hit because it was able to portray Freddy Krueger not as a child killer but rather a teen slasher and this made it acceptable for audiences. The idea behind these movies is not to showcase details of the gruesome murders or any sexual aberrations done to children, but to shine a light on an issue which most people hate to talk about.

     Lastly, "Tenderness of Wolves" with its protagonist being a gay, sadistic, and vampiristic murderer seemed too much for audiences. The idea of the protagonist killing biting his victims on the throat to murder them and then sell their remains as pork chops seemed too explicit. I believe that when talking about these themes, one should be very careful on how much information one should display.



Using the three films we have watched, write a short essay either in support of, or against this position. What evidence from the films can be interpreted as desire for an authoritarian leader? Or, if Kracauer is wrong, as later theorists have said, what evidence suggests a rejection of authoritarianism and promotes democratic values?


    It is my personal opinion that all three movies that we have seen "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" "Blue Angel" and "M(1931)"  does not reveal a desire for an authoritarian leader, instead, all of them reflect the uncertainty that plagued Germany post WWI and the chaos that ensued within its population. Perhaps in some respect, certain characters might have foreshadowed the rise of Hitler, but to say that it was a desire seems farfetched. The prevalent themes that arise within each film such as: Muders, Delusion, Insecurity, Chaos, etc...  These theme manifested the reality of German living and the impact that the hype-inflation caused.  Desperate times call for desperate measures and Germany was at the brink of self destruction because of repercussions of past events. It is because of these factors that all three films portray German citizens as insecure, delusional and living in a state of fear.

   In the movie "M" a child predator is on the loose and people are stricken with awe at the heinous acts.  The police are working non-stop trying to catch this bandit. In an ironic twist, it is the underground mafia mob that manages to capture him and try him themselves. This last scene, makes a mockery of the democratic judicial system because it allows the criminals to act as judges and jury. Nevertheless, the film underlines the importance of a judicial trial, found only in a democratic system. 

    In "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" Cesare the insomniac is ordered to murder Jane by his master Dr. Caligari. These two characters reflect the idea that the upperclass or bourgeois
controlled the proletariat or ordinary citizens. This reflects the condition in which Germany found itself before the war and which sparked Karl Marx to write his famous book "Communist Manifesto."  The twisting ending, reveals that all of the movie was just a delusional story created by a mental patient. With respects to "Blue Angel" the idea of an authoritarian figure succumbing to the sexual exploits of a singer and eventually end up being a clown, supports the rejection of authoritarianism.  

   In conclusion, I do not believe that an authoritarian government was desired. Instead the socioeconomic factors at play were an important theme incorporated into all three films.  Also, the inclusion of the democratic values, such as the trail held by the criminals in the "M" movie give the impression that democracy was still present and followed.

"Blue Angel"

     The scene I chose, begins with Professor Kant sitting next to Lola in her dressing room. He clumsily drops her cigarettes and after picking them up is on his knees with his hair disheveled. She grabs a comb and begins to brush his hair back. Within seconds she remarks: "C'mon let's get back to work" and orders him to hold her powder holder. At this point in the scene, Professor Kant is told that he is not a bad looking guy and while, he is timidly acknowledging it, Lola blows into her powder holder covering Professor Kant in powder and almost suffocating him.

     What struck me most about this scene was the ability of Lola to easily manipulate, order and control the apparent authoritarian figure in this film, professor Kant. The Professor seems irresistable to her every whim and her feminine charm swindles professor Kant from his role of Professor. In my point of view, I believe that Lola's captivating personality is a foreshadowing of how Hitler would come to power and consequently subdue all of Germany. If professor Kant represents the old German way of thinking, then Lola is the nihilistic ideology that was setting in and would eventually engulf all of Germany.

CABARET SONGS

1. "It's All a Swindle" (Alles Schwindel), by Mischa Spoliansky and Marcellus Schiffer (1931)
Papa swindles                                                                                                              
Mama swindles                                                                                           
Grandmama's a lying thief                                                                                
We're perfectly shameless                                                                                                
but we're blameless                                                                                                    
after all it's our belief                                                                                                                 
Nowadays the world is rotten                                                                                                     
honesty has been forgotten

Papa schwindelt,
Mama schwindelt,
tut sie auf blob ihren Mund!
Tante Otilie,
und die Familie
und sogar der kleine Hund!
Und besieht man’s aus der Nähe:

I chose this song and specifically these lyrics, because one can begin to understand the nihilistic ideology that was setting in ,especially, because Germany was responsible for paying back reparations and its economy was on the verge of collapsing. These negative lyrics depict the desperation and hopelessness that the Germans felt at that time, and how they did not take responsibility for their actions because it was their beliefs.                                                                  
   

2. "No Time" (Keine Zeit), music by Rudolf Nelson, lyrics by Herbert Nelson

However, in these frantic times, you meet few of these unhurried people.
Nowadays you stand at the vending machine,
with the token in your trembling paws.
You insert the coin, the tray revolves, and you take some bread.
Then you eat the roll at a frantic pace,
because hundreds of others are right behind you.
You chew and you chew without peace and rest
because there is a voice telling you:
"Insert token, take out bread,
for the food might soon be sold out."
One eats without finesse.

Oben steckt man sie rein und dann gibt’s einen Dreh, schon ist unten zum Vorschein ein Broetchen.
Und dann isst man das Broetchen in rasender Hast, denn es warten ja schon hundert andere und man kaut und man kaut, ohne Ruh ohne Rast, denn es sagt eine Stimme, der wandere.
Marke rein, Broetchen raus, schon ist dein Essen aus.
Man ist schnell ohne jede Finesse, der es schmeckt ist ganz ohne Fingresse.

 Another song, that details the constant fear and uncertainty that was felt in Germany at this time. The idea of not being able to rest and have a nice meal because "there is a voice telling you: Insert the token, take the bread out, for the food might soon be sold out."  Once again Germans are in a state of paranoia, their currency value has sunk to almost nothing and people are getting desperate afraid of what might happen next.


Paragraph 175

The three amendments that were added specified that any male who would offer sexual services to another male or committed abused sexually of another male would be punished with imprisonment. Also, any "unnatural sex" acts with animals was also punished with imprisonment. It is curious to note that these laws specifically applied to male homosexuals and did not include any female homosexuality. This law reverts back to the idea of the perfect Aryan race where homosexuality was not permitted .

Frankfurt School of Thought: Herbert Marcuse

“The so-called consumer society and the politics of corporate capitalism have created a second nature of man which ties him libidinally and aggressively to the commodity form. The need for possessing, consuming, handling and constantly renewing the gadgets, devices, instruments, engines, offered to and imposed upon the people, for using these wares even at the danger of one’s own destruction, has become a “biological” need."                    Herbert Marcuse "One-Dimensional Man"


     Herbert Marcuse is a German philosopher who was of jewsih ancestry born in Berlin in 1898.  During World War 1, he was drafted into the German army, but never fought only worked in horse stables. He received his Ph. D at the university of Freiburg and eventually went on to join the School of Frankfurt. which he cofounded alongside Theodore Adorno and Max Horkheimer.  Here they created a new model of Critical Theory which was influenced by Psychoanalysis and Existentialism, and which sought to critique Capitalism and German Facism.During Hitler's rise to power the School of Frankfurt was shutdown and most of its philosophers fleed from the country and established themselves in Nyc. During the 1950's is when he published most of his literary achievements including:"One-Dimensional Man, Eros and Civilization, and Reason and Revolution" Herbert Marcus died in 1979 at the age of 81 on a trip back to Germany.
    In the quote above, Herbert Marcuse underlines that  Capitalism has "imposed" a "biological" need of wanting unto itsmembers. This "need" of wanting the newest product out in the market, slaves the people into a consumerism frenzy. Making society a slave to its production. Technology allows for faster output while Capitalism imposes a need to purchase these products in order to feel "happy." Current times prove that Marcuse was right. In today's world, we have become zombies to the newest and latest fad. We are always in a hurry to buy the newest high definition T.V. or the latest Ipad or Iphone. It seems as if we are living a repetitive never ending cycle of consumerism. Worst of all, we are unhappy when we do not buy these latest fads. Thus, leaving us with an unsatisfied want.

"Cabinet of Dr. Caligari"

     The scene: Dr. Caligari is on stage telling his audience that he will awaken the somnambulist Cesare who is completely under his control. Within seconds Dr. Caligari, orders Cesare to awaken, at which point there is a close-up on Cesare's face. A halo of light engulfs the moment in which Cesare rouses from his slumber. Cesare's facial expression is of fear and shock. He takes a few small steps, guided by Dr. Caligari's cane, and eventually stops at the edge of the stage. At which point Alan ask Cesare how long will he live, Cesare replies: "The time is short. You die at dawn"
     I chose this scene because it exemplifies Karl Marx's philosophy on the Dialectic class struggle, between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.  For example, Dr. Caligari's personifies the bourgeoisie class with his top hat, dark cloak and cane. All symbols of a wealthy and ruling class. On the other hand there is Cesare, a subjugated individual living in an enclosed coffin like cabinet. Cesare represents the proletariat class, always subordinates to the ruling class, and living in poverty like conditions.  
    Another important concept that is manifested in this scene is that of Vesica Pisces. The synthesis between two opposing forces: Dr. Caligari and Cesare. The result of this synthesis is a foreboding of a tragedy. In other words the constant struggle between both classes would result in a tragic event leading to the death of one of them, if not both.