GE |1927 | 152′ | SciFi, dystopia
Synopsis:
A beautiful and cultured Utopia exists above a bleak underworld populated by mistreated workers. When the privileged youth Freder discovers the grim scene under the highly stylized futuristic city, he becomes intent on helping the workers.
Ahead of the screening enjoy a deep-dive together with Daniel Mols during his masterclass and see why Metropolis is one of the most influential movies ever made, especially in the science fiction genre.
This German expressionist science-fiction silent film directed by Fritz Lang and written by Thea von Harbou in collaboration with Lang is based on von Harbou’s 1925 novel of the same name (which was intentionally written as a treatment).
Metropolis met a mixed reception upon release. Critics found it visually beautiful and powerful – the film’s art direction by Otto Hunte, Erich Kettelhut, and Karl Vollbrecht draws influence from opera, Bauhaus, Cubist, and Futurist design, along with touches of the Gothic in the scenes in the catacombs, the cathedral and Rotwang’s house – and lauded its complex special effects, but accused its story of being naïve.
Metropolis is now widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential films ever made, ranking 67th in Sight and Sound’s 2022 critics’ poll, and receiving general critical acclaim. In 2001, the film was inscribed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World International Register, the first film thus distinguished.
In his masterclass Daniel will tell and show the reasons why this movie deserves to be a classic by highlighting the movie’s themes, set design, the influence it had on the last 100 years of cinema, and most importantly, the special effects Metropolis uses with so much innovation.
CREDITS:
Director: Fritz Lang
Writers: Thea von Harbou and Fritz Lang
Producer: Erich Pommer
Production Company: Universum Film A.G. (UFA)
Cinematography: Karl Freund
Visual Effects: Eugen Schüfftan
Art Direction: Otto Hunte, Erich Kettelhut, Karl Vollbrecht
Costume Design (Robot): Walter Schulze-Mittendorff
Cast:
Brigitte Helm as Maria / The Robot
Gustav Fröhlich as Freder
Alfred Abel as John Fredersen
Rudolf Klein-Rogge as Rotwang
Fritz Rasp as The Thin Man
Theodor Loos as Josaphat