Metropolis Summarizer

After Watching Metropolis, In your view, what is the Mediator?

I think the mediator for the theme of metropolis is knowledge. The true mediator is Freder, but it is not until he gains the knowledge of being a worker and the curiosity to go and see what it's like that jumpstarts the peace between the upper and middle classes of society. In the beginning of the movie, Freder is an unknowing child who does not know the harsh tones of work until he is exposed to it by Mary. Once this happens, he sets off on his long journey to becoming the mediator that Joh and the leader of the workers need in order to find peace.

Is Fritz Lang trying to influence us? Is he advocating for Capitalism? Communism? Fascism?

I think he was trying to influence us, and I do not think he was advocating for capitalism or fascism. Fascism leaves only one person at the top of the food chain, and that is shown to be a bad thing, using the example of Joh Frederson being a smaller villain for a large majority of the movie, and is only changed by his son. I think that it also doesn't recommend capitalism, using Joh as the example again. Not just Joh however, but rather all of the hierarchy of his Metropolis empire. They all control what happens with the workers, and the middle class are left to go to work, day after day, doing the heavy lifting for the thinkers. Finally we have communism. Against all my beliefs, I think that he believes communism is a good thing. He seems to make the portrayal that there is a need to have everyone working together on the same level, or there will be a need for an uprising for unfair treatment. I think this is majorly effected by the time period. Is Eastern Europe especially, Russian Communism was spreading quite fast and caught the most attention in Germany, who was desperate to find a solution to their economic disparity.

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Elements and Principles of Cinematography

Simplicity Worms Eye View Birds Eye View Curved Lines Diagonal Lines Emphasis Horizontal Lines Leading Lines Movement/Rythm Repetition/Pattern Rule of Thirds Unity Variety Symmetrical Balance Proportion/Size

The Golden Mean

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