Metropolis Film Analysis

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Metropolis is a 1927 German expressionistic science fiction film, directed by Fritz Lang. Much of the plot is established following influences of the first world war, and the culture of the Weimar Republic in Germany. Although criticised for its allusions to communism in the resolution of the film, Lang explores mostly themes of industrialisation and mass production, which, coincidentally, were two developments that provided a large influence in the First World War. Lang also explores themes of the Weimer view of American modernity, communism and fascist rule. Politically, this film was shot after WWI, meaning many of its influences were extracted from the horrors of the First World War. Themes that Lang explored in Metropolis played a large part in the First World War, and the aftermath of it. Screenwriter Thea von Harbau’s original vision for the film was one of an apocalyptic scenario reflecting and alluding to the the social and political upheaval in Germany during the immediate post WWI years of the Weimar Republic. The film reflected upon the society which was not only experiencing unprecedented artistic and political freedoms, but was in a state of political and social turmoil. Additionally, the biblical references and metaphors can be simply attributed to Lang’s upbringing. His home country, Austria, famously, was the traditional guardian of the Holy Roman Empire, and Catholicism was the State religion during the reign of the Habsburgs and up until the First World

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