Last week in my film class, I finally had a chance to watch Fritz Lang’s Metropolis. I have to say, for a silent film, it is pretty good. Unlike The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, I didn’t feel the urge to sleep, which my friend actually did.
Ever since watching it, I’ve felt like I’m stuck in my own little Metropolis. Unfortunately, I’m not above ground in the cult of the sons. Nope, I’m definitely in the unhappy hole that is the workers’ city. I wish I could be a peacekeeper like Maria, but I don’t have that luxury. I’m the man at the clock, constantly moving the arms to the lights that flicker around the clock. I can’t stop. Stopping equals disaster. In the end, I myself become like the machine. Instead of Maria becoming the robot, I do. My brain is not my own, it is controlled by my professors and other superiors. Hopefully, my human self can destroy the robot me and flee to the world above ground. Until then, I’ll be living in Metropolis.
Sorry if this is deep. This is what happens when I watch deep movies and take two poetry classes. I get into very reflective/introspective moods. Next week, we’re watching Horse Feathers in film class so I think I’ll be in a better mood!
