Metropolis: A Black and White Reality

The contrasting images in Metropolis, although perhaps due in part by the black-and-white film of its day, symbolize and emphasize the distinction between the dull mindless operation of the workers and the enlightened perspectives of Freda and Maria. As repeated throughout the movie, the mind and the hands must be mediated by the heart. Maria and Freda appear to the audience in white (or light) clothing and fair complexions signifying innocence. Such innocence that has not been tainted by the corrupt system is necessary in order for them to have compassion for both parties in the system and thus act as the heart that unifies the two. The workers and their dwellings are dark, black, and uniformed which relates to their minds which are vacant, empty, and without individual ideas and thus they are willing to follow whoever strikes action at any given moment without any consideration of consequence. Perhaps the conservative reading of this film would suggest that there is no inherent problem in uniformed masses, but only that 'the heart' is needed to represent their needs.