Golem, How He Came into the World

The Golem, How He Came into the World, a 1920 silent film by Paul Wegener, was a breakthrough in German cinema. It tells the story of Rabbi Loew creating an artificial clay anthropoid to save the Prague Jewish community from expulsion. Maya Barzilai analyzes the film's expressive sculptural aesthetic, arguing that it served a postwar ethical purpose by revealing the human face of the golem and offering a redemptive escape from the Christian-Jewish conflict.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 86 pages
Publication date: 18 September 2020
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

Paul Wegener's 1920 silent film, The Golem, How He Came into the World, was a groundbreaking achievement in German cinema. Released in the aftermath of Germany's defeat in World War I, the film showcased innovative cinematography, lighting effects, modernist architectural design, and a thrilling plot. It received widespread acclaim from contemporaneous viewers and critics, who praised Germany's cinematic prowess, even if it had not yet succeeded on the battlefield.

The Golem, How He Came into the World, Wegener's third golem film, tells the story of Rabbi Loew, an astrologer, sorcerer, and spiritual leader who creates an artificial clay anthropoid to save the Prague Jewish community from an expulsion edict. Maya Barzilai contextualizes the 1920 film within the historical and social context of post-World War I Germany, considering Wegener's violent and traumatic service on the Western front. She delves into the film's expressive sculptural aesthetic, enhanced through poetic cinematography, arguing that Wegener's animation of cinema served a postwar ethical purpose. By revealing the human face of the golem and offering a redemptive escape from the Christian-Jewish conflict through nature and Zionism, the film offered a unique perspective on the aftermath of the war.

The Golem, How He Came into the World, with its innovative cinematography, lighting effects, and architectural design, marked a significant milestone in German cinema. It showcased Wegener's artistic vision and technical expertise, and its enduring popularity has contributed to his reputation as a pioneer of the silent film era. Through its exploration of themes of identity, morality, and the aftermath of war, the film continues to resonate with audiences today, offering new critical insights into Wegener's artistic legacy and its place in the history of German cinema.

Weight: 146g
Dimension: 133 x 189 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781640140301