Metropolis Metropolis CritiqueCritique

For many of you this may be the first For many of you this may be the first time to watch a silent film. Keep an open time to watch a silent film. Keep an open mind.mind.

MetropolisMetropolis was made in a different time, was made in a different time, a different culture and different a different culture and different language.language.

However, Fritz Lang manages to tell us However, Fritz Lang manages to tell us his story without the benefit of the his story without the benefit of the spoken word.spoken word.

There are dialogue cards and the music There are dialogue cards and the music is original score writing for the Berlin is original score writing for the Berlin Premiere. Premiere.

Metropolis Metropolis CritiqueCritique

This critique requires deeper thought This critique requires deeper thought than the obvious but, you will find that than the obvious but, you will find that when each part of each question is when each part of each question is answered thoroughly it will guide you to answered thoroughly it will guide you to an in-depth study. an in-depth study.

This critique is not difficult but it can be This critique is not difficult but it can be lengthy. I do not suggest waiting until lengthy. I do not suggest waiting until the evening before it is due. Staying up the evening before it is due. Staying up all night to finish a paper leads to sloppy all night to finish a paper leads to sloppy and often incomplete work. and often incomplete work.

Metropolis Metropolis CritiqueCritique

1) If you want to check correct spelling of 1) If you want to check correct spelling of the names I recommend going on-line to the names I recommend going on-line to imdb.com. imdb.com. Remember that you must Remember that you must include two actors and their roles, as include two actors and their roles, as well as the director.well as the director.

2) Summarize what happens in the plot in 2) Summarize what happens in the plot in less than a page but more than a short less than a page but more than a short paragraph. Include the major plot points paragraph. Include the major plot points with character names. with character names.

Metropolis Metropolis CritiqueCritique

3) Theme is stated in one sentence not a 3) Theme is stated in one sentence not a paragraph. For example the theme of paragraph. For example the theme of The Matrix The Matrix is “Create the path of your is “Create the path of your own destiny and have the courage to own destiny and have the courage to walk it”. This is what the principal walk it”. This is what the principal character learns and what the story character learns and what the story revolves around. A theme is not “it’s the revolves around. A theme is not “it’s the story of a man and his fight with the story of a man and his fight with the computer world that controls him. This computer world that controls him. This is plot not theme. is plot not theme. ( In ( In Metropolis Metropolis Fritz Lang Fritz Lang states the theme in several dialogue cards. Usually states the theme in several dialogue cards. Usually there’s not a right or wrong answer to theme but, there’s not a right or wrong answer to theme but, in this film there is.)in this film there is.)

Metropolis Metropolis CritiqueCritique

4) There are many symbols used in 4) There are many symbols used in MetropolisMetropolis physical, ideological and physical, ideological and religious. Make certain to describe what religious. Make certain to describe what it is and what it symbolizes.it is and what it symbolizes.

5) List each of the shot length and camera 5) List each of the shot length and camera angles separately and discuss angles separately and discuss wherewhere in in the film Lang used each and the film Lang used each and whywhy he he chose them. Refer back to the chose them. Refer back to the Vocabulary power point to help with Vocabulary power point to help with “why”. “why”.

Metropolis Metropolis CritiqueCritique

6) In the final question state in a concise 6) In the final question state in a concise sentence what goal do you think Lang sentence what goal do you think Lang was trying to accomplish with was trying to accomplish with Metropolis Metropolis (this will be related to (this will be related to theme.) With examples to support your theme.) With examples to support your opinion, how well do you think he opinion, how well do you think he accomplished that goal? And finally accomplished that goal? And finally your personal opinion of whether or not your personal opinion of whether or not that was a worthwhile goal and why you that was a worthwhile goal and why you believe it.believe it.

Viewing Viewing MetropolisMetropolisWhen watching When watching Metropolis Metropolis be aware of be aware of the closeness of “personal space” – the closeness of “personal space” – Freder invades everyone’s personal Freder invades everyone’s personal space.space.

Lang reinforces this theme with specific Lang reinforces this theme with specific Character Action Character Action (what actions the (what actions the characters do)characters do), Camera Angles and , Camera Angles and Shot Length.Shot Length.

Viewing Viewing MetropolisMetropolisObserve the use of Observe the use of Camera Angles Camera Angles to to establish character relationships and establish character relationships and personality:personality:

– – who is shot with a slightly lower angle to who is shot with a slightly lower angle to make them appear strong make them appear strong (where, why and (where, why and how)how)

– – who is shot at eye level to make us who is shot at eye level to make us identify with them identify with them (where, why and how)(where, why and how)

– – who is shot from above to make them who is shot from above to make them appear weak or vulnerable appear weak or vulnerable (where, why and (where, why and how)how)

Viewing Viewing MetropolisMetropolisObserve the use of Observe the use of Shot Length Shot Length to to establish audience involvement with establish audience involvement with character(s) character(s)

– – who/what is shot with a long shot to keep who/what is shot with a long shot to keep the audience from identifying with an the audience from identifying with an individual individual (where, why and how)(where, why and how)

– – who/what is shot at a medium length to who/what is shot at a medium length to bring us into the action bring us into the action (where, why and how)(where, why and how)

– – and who/what is shot in a close-up to and who/what is shot in a close-up to make us identify with them make us identify with them (where, why and (where, why and how)how)