Metropolis
is a classic movie that has accumulated large amounts of praise and a cult
following even today. The following essay will identify and discuss the themes
and styles used in the movie. The mentioned points attribute to the movies
success.
THEMES
Class
division
The movie
makes use of a number of themes to project its message across, one of which is
class division. There is a division formed between the working people and the
rich ones. The workers, who keep the machines in operation, have nothing to
show for their hard labor. They all have the same clothing and their houses
seem barren and dull.
It forms a
great contrast when compared to the rich people of Metropolis who endlessly
indulge in the nice things the city has to offer. While the workers toil in
harsh conditions, the rich folk get carried away with the eccentric life and
they are nicely dressed for the constant parties and entertainment that take
place in the city. The aristocratic lifestyle they have adopted comes at the
expense the workers who tend the machines every time.
The workers are divided from the rich people. The
workers keep the machines in operation in harsh conditions while the rich
people get carried away in the eccentric life by partying all the time. They
are enjoying the fruits of the workers labor.
Urbanization
The city of
Metropolis shows a lot of technological advancements. This can be seen in the
city's architecture and the forms of transportation. There is a constant
production from the machines to invent new technologies.
Industrialization
This theme
can be seen in the machines that are kept running by the workers. These
machines keep going and those that are rich feed on the results.
Capitalism
Dehumanization
STYLE
German
Expressionism was the style put to use. The set of Metropolis used abstract and
disproportionate dimensions. The style is defined by a distinctive, heavily
stylized, artificial aesthetic.
Expressionism-
characteristically uses distortion and exaggeration, also non-realistic
visuals, to emphasize the inner emotions.
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