Cabaret And Fosse's Goodbye To Berlin

From the outskirts and fragile world of Berlin in the 1930’s, Bob vision of Weimar Germany is stylishly directed and choreographed featuring a show-stopping musical performance by Liza Minnelli in his commendable film Cabaret. Cabaret, an appropriation of Chris Isherwood’s masterpiece ‘Goodbye to Berlin’ follows protagonist Sally Bowles played by Oscar award-winning Liza Minella. Sally an extroverted American feminist makes a living singing in the seedy Kit Kat Club, whilst getting herself into trouble by being sexually involved with Brian an introverted bisexual.

Promiscuous Sally Bowles essentially is a girl who’s bought what the cabaret is selling; she lives in the moment and refuses to take anything seriously. Life to her is all about

As Cabaret takes place from 1929-1930, a time when Berlin, in the midst of a Post-World War I economic depression, is transitioning from a center of underground, avant-garde cultural epicenter to the beginnings of Hitler’s totalitarian regime and the rise of the Nazi Party. The Cabaret alternatively becomes a metaphor for the German economy, which adds personality to the film as well as the background dancers beaming off sordid behavior. Ultimately the film engages its audience in its clever suspenseful story line.

Fosse actively employs various techniques exclusive to the motion picture medium, which are very effective in conveying the themes of Goodbye to Berlin. Such themes as the growing influence of Nazism, the decadence and subsequent deterioration of Berlin, and the evil of anti-Semitism are reinforced in Cabaret through the use of creative editing, lighting, and the general mis-en-scene. As a result, this film offers quite an interesting interpretation of Isherwood's material. As fosse enjoys playing with the camera angles such as close ups and worms-eye-view to capture the audience’s perspective.