Projekt "Metropolis" Komendarek, Makówka, Gwadera

A film that has inspired generations of artists for almost a century. A masterpiece that changed the way people looked at science fiction, despite getting mixed reviews and being a huge commercial flop at the time of its premiere.
The plot is set in the theme city, in the distant future. The citizens of Metropolis have been divided into two classes – one comprises the few and privileged intellectuals (mind), the other – workers who keep the city alive (hands), leading their lives in underground settlements. Both groups are entirely separated from each other, but at the same time form some kind of an entity. The Master of Metropolis is the dictator called Joh Fredersen. One day, his son, Freder, meets Maria, a girl from the exploited working class, and falls in love with her instantly.
Willing to meet the beautiful proletarian again, the heir to the throne goes to the underworld, where for the first time he's exposed to the cruelty of the system that forces people into slave labour. Shattered, Freder decides to the destroy the system set by his father. Maria helps him, pouring hope into the hearts of weary people during secret gatherings. She is considered a prophetess. The situation becomes complicated when the cruel dictator discovers the plot and tries to turn the workers against Maria, commissioning a mad scientist to create her mechanical twin.
The film was directed by Fritz Lang, responsible also for such films as: "Destiny", "M", "Doctor Mabuse, the Gambler", "Woman in the Moon", "Die Nibelungen: Siegfried" and "Die Nibelungen: Kriemhild's Revenge". The screenplay was written by Lang and his wife – Thea von Harbou.
Despite being released in 1927, "Metropolis" still amazes with technical marvel. The monumental scenography and the film's first scenes, depicting a factory as a Moloch that deprives people of any energy, make up the unique atmosphere of "Metropolis". It's also worth noting the outstanding acting – Brigitte Helm as Maria and Alfred Abel as Fredersen are truly unforgettable.
The film, which tells a story that is so universal on many levels, could also serve as the basis for a separate documentary with elements of adventure and historical films and a touch of crime fiction. The producers exceeded the budget, a large part of the film went missing, some of it was found (after dozens of years) in South America, but the special effects amaze filmmakers and spectators to this day. The original tapes were destroyed. The biggest villain of our times – Adolf H. – prepared his speeches examining closely the expression of actors from "Metropolis". He wanted to prohibit screening of the film but at the same time offered Lang the position of the minister of cinematography in Nazi Germany. Fortunately, the latter refused.
The film has been inscribed on UNESCO's "Memory of the World Register", which includes audio-visual materials of historical value. "Metropolis" has also been recognized by the Catholic Church. Despite its esoteric and fantastic themes, the Vatican included it on its list of 45 "great films" on the basis of its artistic value. The film has been digitally restored twice.
Music is an important element of Lang's picture. Very atmospheric and constantly present, it intensifies emotions and keeps the viewers fully absorbed in the story. It's worth mentioning that due to criticism and censorship, the authors had to cut about 30 minutes of the film, mainly scenes associated with the occult and those that included minor characters with less impact on the story.
The message behind Fritz Lang's film remains true: "The mediator between head and hands must be the heart".