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Metropolis (Delta) (1927)
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Considered by many film critics and historians to be the most well-known and influential film to come out of the silent era, Metropolis is a visionary tale of a futuristic world set in 2026 where the population is deeply divided between a down-trodden working class confined to live in the dark underground, and the wealthy ruling class that enjoys the pleasures of its technologically advanced city. As with any landmark of cinema, Metropolis pushed the limits of the film medium both in terms of its special effects as well as its breath-taking sets and unique visual style. Never before had anyone dared to integrate live action elements with models and miniatures to the same extent as in this film. It is a testament to Metropolis that much of our vision of the future emerges from the spectacular images it established. Its gargantuan Art Deco styled, highly mechanized sets not only foreshadowed the development of our computer-dominated society, but also contain elements that presage the advances in technology that would later sweep the world. In fact, one only has to look to such popular sci-fi films as Blade Runner, Twelve Monkeys, and 2001: A Space Odyssey to realize the impact of Fritz Lang's cinematic masterpiece.
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