German Cinema History German cinema pioneered Expressionism in the 1920s, a visually daring movement that distorted reality through exaggerated sets and shadows to convey psychological states. Directors like F.W. Murnau and Fritz Lang created masterpieces like *Nosferatu* and *Metropolis* that influenced filmmaking worldwide. This era established Germany's reputation for technical innovation and artistic ambition, making it foundational to modern cinema's visual language and narrative techniques.