METROPOLIS

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