Orson Wells’ Citizen Kane subverts many of the characteristics of classical cinema, establishing Wells as a revolutionary figure in Hollywood. Most notably, Mr Thompson’s ambition of discovering the meaning of “Rosebud” is never realised — while it revealed to the audience, Thompson ultimately remains in the dark. This is unusual, as classical Hollywood championed the development of each character’s psychologically motivated story arc. Wells similarly breaks from tradition through distinctively expressionist cinematography. Citizen Kane employs deep focus and only minimally uses master shots, preferring to hold one shot for an extended period of time. The relationship between light and space is also manipulated, creating a graphic aesthetic comparable to The Cabinet of Dr Caligari.