Definition

Proper noun: - Josef von Sternberg: An Austrian-born American film director, cinematographer, and screenwriter. He is particularly renowned for his visually stylized and atmospheric films, especially a series of seven collaborations with actress Marlene Dietrich in the 1930s that established her as a major international star.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The cinematography in Josef von Sternberg's The Blue Angel is considered a masterpiece of German Expressionism.
  • Josef von Sternberg directed Marlene Dietrich in Morocco and Shanghai Express.

Advanced Usage

• "Von Sternbergian" (adj): Describing a visual or directorial style reminiscent of Josef von Sternberg's work, characterized by high-contrast lighting (chiaroscuro), elaborate sets, and a focus on texture, shadow, and sensual atmosphere.
  • The photographer's use of light and shadow was distinctly Von Sternbergian.

Variants and Related Words

• Sternberg: A common shortened reference to the filmmaker in cinematic discussions.
  • The film is a clear homage to Sternberg.

Synonyms

• Film director: A general term for someone who directs motion pictures.
• Auteur: A filmmaker, especially a director, whose personal influence and artistic control over a movie are so great that the filmmaker is regarded as the primary author.

Related Phrases

• "The Dietrich-Sternberg collaborations": A specific phrase referring to the seven films made together by Marlene Dietrich and Josef von Sternberg between 1930 and 1935.
  • Film scholars often analyze the complex power dynamics in the Dietrich-Sternberg collaborations.

Noun

1. United States film maker (born in Austria) whose films made Marlene Dietrich an international star (1894-1969)