My first post will compromise of critique of a silent, science-fiction, German expressionist film Metropolis. Directed by Fritz Lang, (whom I haven't seen many works by yet) and written by his wife Thea Von Harbou. The film is set in the year 2000, in a time of a dystopia, and explores the conflict of the wealthy, living grand lifestyles and the workers who live underground - continuously working, running the lavish lifestyle of the wealthy. The film is well-known for it's notorious price in creating the film, around 5 million Reichsmark. The most expensive silent film ever made.
Metropolis is a a great film for movie lovers and a must see for film enthusiasts. Science-fiction films particularly, are truly indebted to this film. When watching the film, one must constantly perceive it in it's context. Even by today's standards, the film is exceptional in it's story, directing, cinematography and score.
Joh Fredersen manages the city of Metropolis, keeping workers underground, running the city. Content with his luxuries and his wealth, until one day his son, Freder, witnesses a beautiful woman from the underground and follows her. There, he witnesses what goes on in The Underground and with help decides to liberate his brothers underground. The story encapsulates an important theme of social capitalism, among others, emphasizing it's relativity to Germany, the story for its time is appropriate and one that still holds up particularly well today. Besides capitalism, the film brings up many questions of religion and technology.
As a film that is known as the most expensive film ever made, it does not disappoint. Even watching it today will leave some astounded with its special effects. The film mixes both a style and a genre that, in itself is almost too genius and one that is not likely to be seen today. During the silent era of film making, Lang was in contrast to Western film utilizing an Expressionist style alongside a science-fiction genre. Lang utilized the expressionist style well alongside the futuristic setting, such as the architecture, the distorted angles of buildings and camera movements that, today are casual but at the time innovative. The score is a classic example of how crucial music can be to a scene, breaking or making the scene. The score in itself and the use of in Metropolis are still mimicked today and the sound in film can be traced all the way back to this film.
Metropolis is a very old film but an important one. The story can be understood as mediocre and somewhat rehashed, but taking in considering of it's era the film is simply, astounding. Besides it's time of release, the film incorporates many different subjects and can be scrutinized from many different angles, taken apart and still able to have long in-depth analysis. Metropolis is an important film that any film enthusiasts or movie lovers that want to get caught up in the art form must see.
