METROPOLIS. FRITZ LANG 1926

This probably the oldest movie I even seen, Metropolis from 1926. To be honest, I found this movie quite interesting by its story and theme. 

Basic Information

Metropolis is a 1926 German science-friction silent film directed by Fritz Lang. However, this film was lost over several decades. In 1970s - 80s, there are many attempts have been made to restore this classic movie. The new version of Metropolis is restored by Giorgio Morder. In this new reconstruction, they added a lot of modern soundtrack and colour effect. 

If you are interested, here is the link of the full movie: (ENJOY. p.s this is in german subtitle)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4rI__TRvcY






Metropolis: Opening Scene

In the opening scene, there are 2 locations, factory and the pleasure garden. For the location 1, the director used lots of machinery, steam and worker to show the factory setting. When the workers are exchanging their position, they are all move in the same pattern, dragging their step, walking slowly with their face down. These facial expression show that they are sad and frustrated, they are not willing to work there. Besides, they are all wearing the same black uniform and all look like the same. It suggest that their life are all the same, work for the factory and back home. Repeating the same job everyday. The lighting in the factory is in high key with cold colour because the machinery and worker's uniform colour. Showing the darkness and sadness in the factory. On the other hand, the work off workers are getting into the lift and go to the underground city, their home. In the world of Metropolis, the poor (workers) are lived under the rich, that symbolize that they are all work for the rich people and separate these two different class group.

In the location 2 (Pleasure Garden) is for the rich people to chat, play and spend their time there. This is a totally different place compare with the worker's underground city. The people in this place are usually the rich people by looking at their costumes and their facial express. Their clothing are more fancy and look expensive, they are in heavy make up with make a big contrast with the workers' uniform. Besides, when they are playing in the garden, their are laughing and smiling to show their happiness. The lighting is different too, this is more likely to be warm and full of joy. The reason of making this big different is to show the big contrast between two different classes, the bourgeois (upperclass, elite) and the proletariate (lower class, workers). 

MISE EN SCENE - The Wild one

A scene from 'The wild one'.

In this photo, the colour can show that it is an black and white old movie. According to the character's costume, it seem to be at the period of 1950 as the old fashion, quite modern dressing. Let see the man character's costume, this is hard leather coat with a hat and gloves, that makes me think of the bikers. At that period of time, people love to wear this kind of clothing to ride the motorcycle, and that may link to the career of this man. He is also ganger, because of the scar from his face, which means he also fight or loves to fight. There is a word 'Johnny in his coat, which Im sure his name is Johnny. For the woman, her curly hair reminds me that in the 50s, this is quite fashionable for most of the women. I guess the location of this photo in a restaurant or a cafe from the setting of tables and chairs. Also, the women is in the inner bar which means she is working in the cafe.

From the position, the table have to separate these two characters, which show they are not in the same side and maybe not agreeing with each other. Showing a clear and large gap between them. You can see the facial express from these two characters, they seem to have a serious conversation, as they are not smiling, and even being angry with each other. The pose of the man is like warning or going to hit the women. I predict that the man is trying to warn to woman not to do something again.

YOLO!