Metopolis

Title: Metropolis 
Genre: Dystopic Science Fiction, German Expressionism,  artistically, aspects of Art Deco
Context: Debuted in 1927
Audience:  German Citizens of the Weimar Republic; through distribution and editing, a wider International Audience
World events:
  • World War I: the rise of Communism; dissolution of many monarchies (Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, German); The Treaty of Versailles and the effect on Germany
  • Lang's personal context: the Golden Twenties (Goldene Zwanziger); Berlin as the new European cultural and artisitic hub; his journey to New York; 
  • The Weimar Republic:  an idealistic Republic which emphasised personal liberties; the Spartacist Revolution of 1919; hyperinflation and resultant speculation; massive unemployment; prosperity as a result of the Dawes Plan; a widening gap between the rich and poor; Allied occupation of the Ruhr (and French execution of the workers who refused to fight); worker uprisings and political instability; widespread riots and political fights between rival groups, like the Freikorps and the Communists; a number of political uprisings and revolutions

Purpose: Based on Thea von Harbou's work, the text is a criticism of A deeply satirical novel, criticising economic, political and social conditions which were prevalent during Lang's time.  It was a also a deep criticism of any overly exploitative bourgeois industrialists who sought to exploit workers for their own gain.  Lang urges that a unity between these groups will serve to better society for all. 

Other Links:

Metropolis Review
Metropolis: A Case Study - some good information on the techniques used as well as information on German Expressionism
The Architecture of Metropolis - an interesting site which explores the architecture reflected in the film
The Art Deco Influence on Metropolis
Alpha History - a very good explanation of the 1923 Hyperinflation as well as those who "won" and "lost" 
Picture
"THE MEDIATOR BETWEEN HEAD AND HANDS MUST BE THE HEART!"
Picture
Fritz Lang and Thea von Harbou in their Berlin Flat, 1923 or 1924