The Weimar Republic was the new government created out of the German Revolution of 1918. It was the first democracy in Germany and was led by members of the Social Democrats, Catholics, and Democratic parties.

The political and social instability, as well as the economic shortages of the Weimar Republic had a major impact on post-war German culture and gave rise to new techniques and styles in German film-making known as Expressionism.

Unable to afford the large casts, huge sets, costumes and props of Hollywood, German film-makers looked for new ways to convey atmosphere, mood and emotion. Expressionist film-makers like F. W. Murnau and Fritz Lang were also concerned with darker storylines and themes, like horror, crime, immorality, social decay and the destructive powers of money and technology.

These directors developed new uses for light, contrast, camera angles and movement, and their innovations came to influence the wealthier and more well-known film studios in Hollywood.