메트로폴리스 [Metropolis / 10 January, 1927]

 

 

1927년에 개봉한 메트로폴리스는 독일 감독 프리츠 랑(Fritz Lang)이 연출한 고전 SF 영화로, 영화사에 큰 영향을 미친 작품 중 하나다. 이 영화는 무성 영화로, 당시의 기술적 한계를 뛰어넘는 시각적 효과와 철학적 주제의식으로 주목받았다. 메트로폴리스는 미래의 디스토피아 사회를 배경으로 계급 간의 갈등과 그 안에서 벌어지는 인간성 회복의 이야기를 담고 있다.

영화의 배경은 두 개의 층으로 나뉜 거대한 미래 도시로, 상류 계급은 상층부에서 번영을 누리고, 노동자 계급은 지하에서 혹독한 노동을 이어간다. 도시의 지배자 조 프레더슨(Joh Fredersen)의 아들 프레더(Freder)는 상류층에서 안락하게 살던 중 지하세계의 노동자들을 우연히 발견하고 그들의 비참한 삶을 직접 목격하게 된다. 이 경험은 프레더에게 깊은 충격을 주며, 그는 노동자들의 삶에 관심을 가지기 시작한다. 그러던 중 프레더는 노동자들의 정신적 지도자인 마리아(Maria)를 만나게 되고, 그녀의 인도에 따라 계층 간의 화해를 꿈꾸기 시작한다.

영화의 중요한 줄거리는 인간성을 잃고 기계의 부속품으로 전락한 노동자들의 고통과, 이들을 구원하려는 상류층 인물들의 노력이다. 이 과정에서 '중개자는 머리와 손 사이에 있어야 한다'는 주제가 반복되며, 결국 프레더가 계층 간의 중개자 역할을 맡게 된다. 프리츠 랑은 영화에서 산업화로 인해 기계화된 사회와 그로 인해 파괴된 인간성을 강조했으며, 이를 통해 자본주의 사회에 대한 비판을 담았다.

특히 영화 속 로봇 마리아는 이후 수많은 SF 작품에 영향을 미친 아이콘적 존재다. 이 로봇은 인간의 형상을 본떠 만든 최초의 인공지능 존재로, 이후 로봇과 AI가 등장하는 여러 영화나 문학 작품의 원형이 되었다. 영화의 기술적 혁신은 특수효과와 건축 디자인에서도 드러난다. 영화의 거대한 미래 도시 모습은 1920년대 당시로서는 상상조차 힘들 정도의 규모와 디테일을 보여주며, 이후 많은 SF 영화의 도시 설정에 큰 영향을 주었다.

메트로폴리스는 개봉 당시 비평가들로부터 상반된 평가를 받았다. 영화의 시각적 혁신과 야심 찬 설정은 찬사를 받았지만, 복잡한 줄거리와 과장된 연기, 길이 등은 비판을 받기도 했다. 하지만 시간이 지나면서 메트로폴리스는 그 상징적 의미와 비주얼적 혁신으로 재평가받았고, 현재는 영화 역사상 가장 중요한 작품 중 하나로 자리잡았다. 특히 1980년대에 들어 영화의 손상된 필름이 복원되면서, 원래의 감독판에 가까운 버전이 재출시되어 그 진가를 다시 한번 인정받았다.

이 영화는 표현주의 미학을 대표하는 작품으로도 알려져 있다. 프리츠 랑은 빛과 그림자를 극적으로 사용해 도시의 음침한 분위기와 인물들의 내면을 시각적으로 표현했으며, 이러한 기법은 독일 표현주의 영화의 특징을 잘 보여준다.

오늘날 메트로폴리스는 문화유산으로서 유네스코 세계기록유산에 등재되어 있으며, 그 상징적 이미지는 여전히 대중문화 전반에서 반복적으로 인용된다. SF 장르뿐만 아니라 사회 구조에 대한 철학적 질문을 던지는 영화로서의 메트로폴리스는 시대를 초월한 고전으로 남아 있다.

 

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"Metropolis" is a 1927 German silent science fiction film directed by Fritz Lang, which has left a lasting impact on cinematic history. The film is widely regarded as a groundbreaking work, not only for its technological innovations but also for its exploration of deep philosophical themes. Set in a dystopian future, Metropolis addresses class struggles and the eventual reconciliation of humanity in a society starkly divided by wealth and labor.

The story takes place in a futuristic city with a stark division between its upper and lower classes. The privileged elite live in luxurious skyscrapers, enjoying the benefits of technological advancements, while the working class toils underground, operating the machines that keep the city running. The protagonist, Freder, son of the city's ruler Joh Fredersen, stumbles upon the harsh conditions faced by the laborers and is shocked by their suffering. This encounter transforms Freder, and he begins to empathize with the workers, leading him to seek solutions to bridge the gap between the two worlds.

 

Freder meets Maria, a spiritual leader among the workers, who preaches hope and advocates for peace between the classes. Inspired by her ideals, Freder aims to become the mediator between the oppressed and the elite, encapsulating the film’s core message: "The mediator between the head and the hands must be the heart." The central conflict revolves around the dehumanization of workers, who are treated as mere cogs in the city's machinery, and Freder’s efforts to restore humanity by bridging the divide.

 

One of the most iconic elements of the film is the robot Maria, a mechanical doppelgänger designed to incite chaos among the workers. This robot is widely regarded as one of the first depictions of artificial intelligence in cinema, setting a precedent for countless future portrayals of robots in science fiction. The visual depiction of the futuristic city, with its towering buildings and vast machinery, was a remarkable achievement at the time and continues to influence the aesthetic of science fiction films today.

 

Upon its initial release, Metropolis received mixed reviews. While critics praised its visual spectacle and ambitious vision, the film’s convoluted plot and melodramatic acting were criticized. Additionally, the film’s original version was heavily edited for distribution, resulting in the loss of many scenes that were crucial to its narrative. However, in the decades following its release, Metropolis was re-evaluated and is now considered one of the most important films in cinematic history. In the 1980s, a major restoration project revived the film, allowing audiences to see a version closer to Fritz Lang's original vision.

 

 

The film is also noted for its expressionist style, a hallmark of German cinema during the Weimar Republic. Lang's use of dramatic lighting and sharp contrasts between light and shadow contribute to the film’s ominous atmosphere, effectively portraying the oppressive and dehumanizing nature of the futuristic city. This aesthetic, along with the elaborate set designs, became a defining characteristic of German expressionism in film.

 

Today, Metropolis is recognized as a cultural masterpiece and is included in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register. Its influence extends far beyond the science fiction genre, resonating as a timeless commentary on social inequality, the dangers of unchecked technological progress, and the need for compassion in an increasingly mechanized world. Its iconic imagery and enduring themes continue to inspire filmmakers, artists, and thinkers across various mediums.