Metropolis, Fritz Lang, 1926

 

 

Metropolis is a black and white film which published in 1927 directed by Fritz Lang. It is a slient movie with sub-title to describle the development of the film.

Location 1

 

The setting of location 1 is in the factory. There are many workers walking to the elevator going underground for their work. They walk like zombies which walk in same style and direction. They wear the same uniform just like an army does. It suggests that workers' lives are very cruel that they have to work for their families. They have no facial expression that shows that are very poor and do not even wnt to work. They are proletariat to work for the bourgeoisie.








The factory is really big which represents workers have to work for unlimited time.The lighting is in high key to show the weaknesses of the workers.






Location 2

The setting of location 2 is a garden. In the beginning of this scene there are a man playing and chasing behind a woman. They play happily and they do not seem like they have worries. They wear nice, elegant clothes which can be known as rich people. The word 'bourgeoisie' may be a better description for them. They all have smiles on their faces unlike the workers in location 1. In detail, it can be inferred that they are sons and daughters of the boss of factory or other rich families. The lighting is very different from location 1 as well. Although they are all in high keys, the soft lighting shows people in location 2 are happy and have lots of fun. These locations are very different because the film wants to show the differences between rich people and poor people.

The main protagonists
One of the main protagonist is the son of the boss of factory. It is obvious to notice as the shot is only about him after location 1 and 2. He is the witness of an accident in the factory. Besides the workers in the factory are also the main protagonists as they are the core of the film. This film wants to show the contrast between bourgeoisie and proletariat. The son of the boss represents 'bourgeoisie' and workers represent the proletariat.

Establishing the narrative
After watching the opening of the film, I understand that there is a big contrast in metropolis. There is upper class and lower class to show how Capitalism works and it is clearly an example of Marxism. It may be an ironic film in 1920s to show how big differences in society in that moment. The narrative will develop to see the condition of worker and the son of the boss of factory.

Development
After the explosion which means the accident happened, the machine becomes an entrence of a temple. Guardians from the temple come out and lead workers to go inside. After that workers never come back. In my opinion, it is like a temple of death that the accident causes many people dead and hurt. It represents workers' lives in metropolis are very harsh.

Setting
The new setting is like in a very big, crowd city whick suggests that the era is changing to civilization. So the upper class still enjoy their lives and order the lower to work and sustain this situation.