Metropolis - Science Fiction and Social Justice Pioneer

Original 1927 theatrical release poster

Metropolis is considered by many a pioneer in science fiction motion pictures. It was the first feature-length film of the genre, released in 1927 as a silent movie, directed by German filmmaker, Fritz Lang. The story takes place in the future (2026) in an urban dystopia, Metropolis, where there is a great divide between the wealthy upper class and the working lower class. The film tells how Freder (played by Gustav Fröhlich), the wealthy son of the city’s leader, and Maria (played by Brigitte Helm), an inspirational leader of the working class, work together to bridge the gap between the divided classes. 

According to Patrick McGilligan, author of Fritz Lang: The Nature of the Beast, although Metropolis received mixed reviews when it was released, the main criticisms were of the film’s long length and its basic, simplistic plot. However, the film was celebrated for its stunning visuals and groundbreaking special effects. Metropolis filmmakers employed innovative techniques to achieve the acclaimed special effects and visuals. They used a complex grouping of mirrors to make miniature-sized sets seem larger than life around the actors as they performed many of the city scenes. Another technique saw filmmakers filming shot after shot of the glowing rings surrounding the robot as it comes to life. Those shots were then superimposed on each other up to 30 times in order to achieve the desired look of an aura of rings of energy constantly moving around the robot. Visual effects this complex were unheard of up to this point.

In addition to the film’s technical achievements, the overall theme of the film is as timeless as it is important: class disparity, or the growing gap between the upper class and the lower class of society, only leads to conflict and destruction. The “haves” cannot simply ignore and abandon the “have-nots” of the world and expect society as a whole to flourish. This cautionary tale for social justice is particularly applicable in the United States right now as the middle-class has been steadily shrinking in the past 30 years, while the top 1% of the rich get richer, and the number of families in poverty is increasing accordingly. Respected American film critic, Roger Ebert, noted that "Metropolis is one of the great achievements of the silent era, a work so audacious in its vision and so angry in its message that it is, if anything, more powerful today than when it was made." 

In 2010, Metropolis ranked 12th in Empire magazine's "The 100 Best Films Of World Cinema." In 2000, it ranked second in a list of “The 100 Greatest Films of the Silent Era.”  In 2012, the British Film Institute called Metropolis the 35th-greatest film of all time. Metropolis can be viewed on Amazon Prime starting at $2.99.

BlacKKKlansman (Review)

Theatrical release poster

BlacKKKlansman is the incredible true story of a black police officer who goes undercover and infiltrates the Ku Klux Klan. For a movie about such a dark subject, it’s uproariously funny. I was laughing pretty much throughout the whole movie. 

BlacKKKlansman is based on the true story of Ron Stallworth, played beautifully by relative Hollywood newcomer, John David Washington. Set in Colorado Springs, CO, in the early 1970’s, the hero of the story, Ron, becomes the first African American police officer in the Colorado Springs Police Department. At that time, racism is rampant throughout the department, and Stallworth struggles to find a way to make a name for himself. Eventually, he is tasked to go undercover at a rally put on by the local college which featured a popular speaker spreading the message of racial equality. It is at this rally that Ron meets Patrice (played by Laura Harrier from Spiderman: Homecoming), the leader of the college’s Black Student Organization, who becomes his romantic interest for the duration of the film. Back at the office, Ron decides to answer a newspaper ad that is covertly recruiting members to the Ku Klux Klan. After talking over the phone to one of the members, he’s asked to meet in person to start the vetting process to become a member. Ron recruits Detective Flip Zimmerman, played by the marvelous Adam Driver, to be the frontman of the operation while Ron spends time on the phone drawing them out. Eventually, Ron ends up striking up a fake-friendship with David Dukes, the leader of the Ku Klux Klan. Through that friendship, Ron (through Flip) is asked to become the leader of the Colorado Springs KKK chapter. Eventually, violence erupts and covers are blown, but not before Ron and Flip gather quite a body of evidence, enough to close down the local chapter and put some people in jail. Ron and Flip, but especially Ron, is hailed as a hero by his police department and with Flip’s help, he’s even able to put away several of the most racist, crooked cops in his department.

Spike Lee and the cast did a great job of balancing out this film, contrasting edge of your seat suspense with side-splitting humor. It’s such a dark subject, and this movie doesn’t dance around that fact at all. But it does accentuate the humor in an underdog totally pulling one over on the establishment. And the romance with Patrice did a great job of demonstrating the duality of Ron’s life that he was living at the time.  

BlacKKKlansman received 6 Academy Award nominations: Best Original Score, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Picture, Best Director (legendary Spike Lee), Best Supporting Actor (Adam Driver), and Best Film Editing. It won Best Adapted Screenplay, as it was based on the book written by Ron Stallworth himself, Black Klansman: Race, Hate, and the Undercover Investigation of a Lifetime.

I enjoyed this movie so much, it may just be my favorite out of the 8 Best Picture nominees this year. Ron Stallworth has been added to my list of heroes for sure. BlacKKKlansman should be added to your must-see movie list! The film is rated R and out on DVD and streaming services now. Go get it!