We're discussing one of the most influential films ever made—the 1920 silent horror film, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.

Directed by Robert Wiene and written by Hans Janowitz and Carl Mayer, Caligari is a film that not only redefined the horror genre but also helped lay the groundwork for German Expressionism in cinema. It’s got twisted abstract sets, eerie visuals, and one of the first horrifying twist endings in cinema. It’s a deeply unsettling film, especially when you factor in that it was made over 100 years ago.

The plot of Caligari is that the sinister Dr. Caligari sets up a carnival sideshow attraction with a deadly secret - his sleepwalking accomplice Cesare, who carries out his murderous bidding. The film is widely considered to be the first full-length horror movie ever made and I was delighted to unpack it with two of the smartest people I know - artist Emma McDonnell and filmmaker and writer Guy Benoit. We discuss the film, the career of Conrad Veidt, German Expressionism, transformation scenes, and so much more. It's a wide-ranging discussion and I hope you enjoy listening to it as much I enjoyed engaging in it.

Emma McDonnell's artwork can be found at https://ekmcdonnell.com/

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