A lens into contemporary AI discourse
Fritz Lang’s Metropolis
In my time as a film student, the first movie we studied was Fritz Lang’s ‘Metropolis.’ This experience left such an impression on me that, years later, it was the first film I chose to show my own students. Widely recognized as a significant work in film history, Metropolis continues to be featured in classrooms around the world. Fritz Lang’s 1927 masterpiece not only played a crucial role in the evolution of filmmaking but also conveys a message that remains pertinent to this day.
Set in a dystopian future, it is a compelling social commentary on the fear of technology, class struggle, and the dehumanizing effects of industrialization. This German expressionist film influenced the direction of the science fiction genre and continues to inspire filmmakers and audiences alike with its contemporary themes and stunning visuals.
Metropolis pioneered the craft of filmmaking in many ways. One of the first full-length science fiction films, it was groundbreaking in its use of special effects — including miniatures, matte paintings, and the Schüfftan process, a special effects technique using mirrors to create the illusion of vast, expansive cityscapes. Metropolis set the stage for the dystopian genre with the film’s visual style — characterized by its towering skyscrapers, massive machines, and thousands of nameless workers.
At the heart of Metropolis is a deeply human story, one foreshadowing the times we live in. The film explores the fear of technology and the anxiety that comes from living in an increasingly mechanized world. It’s a fear that magnified as we entered the digital age, cementing Metropolis as a timeless classic that continues to reverberate with audiences.
The Cinematic Legacy of Metropolis
Metropolis was not well received upon its release. It was heavily criticized for its perceived leftist political messages, and the original cut was excessively edited for the American audience. Over the years, the film has been recognized as a masterpiece of cinema and has influenced countless other films in the science fiction genre.
Many dystopian films, such as Blade Runner (1982), The Matrix (1999), and The Fifth Element (1997), have been heavily influenced by the visual style of Metropolis. These films also explore themes of identity, humanity, and the moral implications of using technology to create life and alternative realities. The depiction of a city divided between the wealthy elite living in luxury skyscrapers and the oppressed workers toiling in the bowels of the city has become a prevalent archetype in science fiction.
These films, like Metropolis, use technology as a tool to explore deeper social and philosophical issues, reflecting our own anxieties about the digital age.
Perhaps the most persistent aspect of the Metropolis legacy is its exploration of the fear of technology. The film depicts a world where technology has been used to oppress and dehumanize and where the machines are ultimately turned against their creators. This theme has been explored in countless other films, from 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) to The Terminator (1984), and continues to be a hot topic in our world of rapidly advancing Artificial Intelligence. I have included a list of more recent films dealing with a dystopian future brought about by the misuse of technology at the end of this article.
Fear of Technology in Metropolis
In Metropolis, the fear of technology is unmistakable. The machines that power the city are depicted as monstrous, soulless entities that consume the workers in a never-ending cycle of production. The workers are dehumanized, reduced to mere cogs in the machine, their individuality and humanity stripped away.
The most noteworthy symbol of this fear is the Moloch machine, a massive, furnace-like contraption the workers are forced to operate. In one haunting scene, the machine is imagined as a monstrous deity, consuming the workers in a sacrificial ritual. This fascinating imagery conveys the fear and anxiety the workers feel towards the machines that dominate their lives.
The film also explores the fear of technology through the character of the robot, Maria. Created by the mad scientist Rotwang, the robot Maria is a perfect replica of the human Maria, indistinguishable from the real thing. In spite of this, she is finally revealed to be a destructive force, leading the workers to revolt and nearly causing the destruction of the city. The robot Maria embodies the fear of technology becoming too powerful, too human, and ultimately turning against us, much like our fears of the new developments in Artificial Intelligence. Most notably AGI — Artificial General Intelligence.
Metropolis and its Relevance in the Digital Age
Nearly a century after its release, Metropolis remains an important commentary on our relationship with technology. We live in a world where technology is an integral part of our daily lives. We rely on it for everything from communication and entertainment to work and transportation. With this increased reliance comes a growing fear of technology.
We worry about the loss of privacy in the digital age, about our personal data being collected, stored, and used without our knowledge. We fear the rise of artificial intelligence, of machines becoming smarter than us, of losing control.
We fear the dehumanizing effects of technology, of becoming too reliant on machines and losing our ability to connect with others on a human level.
Metropolis explores these fears in a way that echoes with modern audiences. Its depiction of a city controlled by machines, of workers reduced to mindless drones, of technology being used to manipulate and control, is a meaningful reflection of our own anxieties about our digital age. This is a fear that is becoming increasingly important as advances in artificial intelligence and robotics bring us closer to the possibility of creating machines that can think, learn, and act like humans.
Final Thoughts
A timeless commentary on the fear of technology, Metropolis's representation of a society dominated by machines—of workers dehumanized by their interaction with technology—is as relevant now as it was when the film was first released.
Metropolis reminds us of the potential dangers of unchecked technological advancement. It serves as a warning, a call to action, and a plea for humanity in a progressively digital world. It challenges us to confront our fears, to question our relationship with technology, and to consider the potential impact of technology on our lives.
Metropolis is not just a film. It’s a cultural artifact, a historical document, and an effective tool for understanding our complex relationship with technology. And our society.
The fully restored version containing the 22 minutes cut for American audiences. Is it better? You decide.
These films serve as cautionary tales about the potential consequences of our dependence on and interaction with technology. They challenge viewers to consider how technological advancements could shape society.
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018): A part of the Black Mirror anthology, this interactive film directed by David Slade explores the concept of free will and the impact of technology on human lives. It’s a unique experience where the viewer makes decisions for the main character, leading to different story outcomes.
Her (2013): Directed by Spike Jonze, this film is set in a near future where a lonely writer develops a relationship with an AI operating system. It explores themes related to human interaction with AI and the emotional connections that can develop.
Ex Machina (2014): Directed by Alex Garland, this film explores the theme of artificial intelligence through the story of a young programmer who is selected to participate in a ground-breaking experiment in synthetic intelligence. The film delves into the ethical and moral dilemmas of AI development and its potential to transcend human control.
Blade Runner 2049 (2017): A sequel to the original Blade Runner, this film directed by Denis Villeneuve continues to explore a future where bioengineered humans are built for various purposes. The story delves into the implications of this technology on identity, memory, and reality.
The Matrix series (1999–2021): These films, directed by the Wachowskis, depict a future where humanity is unknowingly trapped in a simulated reality created by sentient machines. The story explores themes of control, freedom, and the nature of reality in a technologically advanced world.
Ready Player One (2018): Directed by Steven Spielberg, this film is set in a dystopian future where people escape the desolation of the real world by immersing themselves in a virtual universe. It addresses issues of escapism, the impacts of virtual realities on human interaction, and the concentration of power in tech companies.
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