Explain how the political, social and economic context of the Weimar Republic affected the production and content of classic German Expressionist Cinema:

Weimar Germany’s political and social instability, as well as its economic shortages, had a great impact on post-war German culture. Expressionism was most obvious in film. German cinema recovered quickly in the 1920s as people looked for cheap entertainment and escapism from reality.

Unable to afford the huge sets, ghastly costumes and props German film-makers looked for new ways to convey atmosphere, mood and emotion. As a consequence, German expressionism gave birth to two new cinematic genres: the Gothic horror movie and film noir.