In the settings of Metropolis, the lower class workers are
belittled by placing them as very tiny in the frame while the upper class rich
people have close-up and occupy most of the frame to emphasis the difference
between the two classes. The faces of the higher class are shown clearly but
the audience could barely identify one of the workers as they appear small in
the frame and have their heads down. This also conveys one of the themes in
this film, which is the social hierarchy and how the rich are unaware of the
tough life of the poor. It is ironic because everything the rich enjoy and use
are actually produced by the hard work of the lower working class.
Moreover, the workers wear the same dark, dull uniform and
move in unison in the first scene. This shows that they are all equal and not
as important as the higher class because in contrast, the higher class is
presented as nobles and their costumes are more detailed and glamourous. Also,
they wear different costumes which suggests their wealth and the freedom they
have. The upper class wear costumes that are lighter in colour while the
workers wear darker clothing. It suggests the varied moods they have.
On the other hand, the workers move in groups and their
footsteps are heavy and slow. It emphasises the workers feelings about going to
work, or even living in Metropolis – dreadful and sad. They only move forward
and their movements are synchronised which suggests the lack of freedom and
that they are under control. Hence, their lives are very different from the
rich, where they can run around freely and move as individuals. The close-up of
their faces shows huge smiles which implies happiness.
Furthermore, the atmosphere is shown as boring and poignant
with the use of dim, blue lighting in this scene. This reinforces the tough
lives of the workers. Also, it creates a huge contrast with the second scene,
where above the ground, in the upper class’ garden, yellow and bright lights
are used to emphasis the fact that they are much richer and happier than the
workers. Consequently, the difference between classes is again reinforced by
the clever use of lighting as the mood is obviously changed. In addition, the
dim lighting in the first scene could suggest that the workers are in
underground; whereas the bright lighting in scene two shows the life above the
ground. This also suggests the division in class and the status of the lower
class, which is beneath the higher class.
After the explosion, the machines become a monster-like
fierce face with a massive mouth and groups of workers keep approaching
unwillingly into the mouth. This is very iconic as it shows how the workers are
seen as slaves and offerings to the upper class (as the large mouth). It also
emphasises the pain of the workers and how little they are comparing to the
rich. Moreover, as this scene is seen by the rich male main protagonist, it
could suggest the realisation of the rich about the reality of the world of
Metropolis. Fear is shown as he tries to use his hands to cover his face and
because he is leaning onto the wall. This conveys that the rich people in
Metropolis have no idea about the lives of the lower working class. Therefore,
this could emphasis how absurd and ignorant they are.
In the last scene, skyscrapers and advanced transportations
are shown which differs from the first three scenes largely. This scene
suggests the dystopia of the future world as lightings are dim and in cold
tone. We also do not see any human in the scene which could suggest a deadly
atmosphere.
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