Metropolis (1927)

The industrial cityscape of the dystopian Metropolis emphasis the idea of a society ruled by complete totalitarianism an even reflects that of architecture later employed by Dictatorships such as the Nazi party in decades after the films creation.

The artistic style of the sets and landscapes portrayed in the film are a direct reflection of the Expressionist movement that was growing in the 1920's, relying heavily on symbolism and metaphoric visuals to exemplify the social fracture between the thriving upper-class and the suffering working-class: one such scene being the transformation of the heart machine into a giant mouth signifying how workers are sacrificed in great numbers so that to keep the upper classes world running smoothly. Furthermore the use of imagery that bares resemblance to ancient civilizations in underground scenes such as this continues to imply complete control of the working-class similar to that of how the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt used slave labour to build their society whilst also suggesting a god-like presence that powerful city planners such as Joh have over his working populous- to th e point of even how they move.

The surface in contrast is filled with great skyscrapers with the lighting of such often either illuminating towards the sky or the Tower of Babel itself. By centering the city both around a single building and the height of which it reaches only adds to the sense of Joh and the elites omnipotent authority of every aspect of life for all citizens of the city. The symmetrical design of the cityscape additionally insinuates total planning and dominance of the populations everyday life.