Mise-en-scene and distorted sets

• Distorted sets of the Marshes scene

  Sunrise reflects the aesthetic qualities of German expressionism through the use of dramatic and exaggerated set designs. This creates a distorted view of reality and creates an emotional impact. For example, the rickety-looking bridge in the Marshes scene symbolises the mans 'crossing' from secure home life with his wife to the atmospheric, sinister marshes.
• Distorted sets in the Marshes scene

  The backlit painting of the moon is also used for the background, making it appear huge and bright as it looms over the man and the woman from the city, acting as the only light source of the scene and having a thematic link to the motif of the sun rising, as although the sun rises at the film’s happy and optimistic moments, here the moon is present in its place, suggesting that this is the man’s lowest point as he has hit rock bottom.
• Distorted shapes created by objects, shadow, or mass to signify a nightmarish world/anxiety e.g. weirdly shaped lamp, oversized bowls