Radiohead, Metropolis, Dystopia, and Frankenstein

The stark and impressive imagery of Fritz Lang's 1927 silent opus, Metropolis, serendipitously syncs with the music of British band, Radiohead. The version of the film we watched yesterday in class was assembled by a graphic designer from Arizona.

He briefly describes the creative process on his film blog, "Electric Shadows":
http://electric-shadows-film.blogspot.com/2010/07/metropolis-radiohead.html

The above link will also allow you to watch the film at home if you so desire! Impress your friends! Convey the important message that the mediator between the head and the hands must always be the heart, an idea that directly correlates to your next assignment.

Metropolis is a film that portrays a terrifying imagined future, or in other words, a dystopia. The word dystopia refers to "an imagined place or state in which everything is unpleasant or bad, typically a totalitarian or environmentally degraded one."

In the 20th century, many writers and directors alike envisioned a future plagued by technology and advancement: worlds in which humanity suffered in the wake of new technological discoveries.

In some ways, this idea can be traced back to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Life, as created by technology, goes awry, and a demonic monster is birthed by the science of man.

• The same thing happens in Metropolis: Rotwang makes a robot, a "maschinenmensch." Chaos ensues.
• The scientists in 28 Days Later attempt to cure rage. They discover a "rage" virus, and thanks in part to the good intentions of some animal rights' activists, chaos ensues.

Both films explore the negative effects of intermingling nature and science, and ultimately, both films depict dystopias. 

In my mind, both of the aforementioned films can be considered the progeny of Shelley's idea of the "Modern Day Promotheus": Frankenstein's monster.

We will finish our discussion of Frankenstein thusly:

• Watch this succint but thorough summary courtesy of our man, Sparky Sweets.

• Read an excerpt from Stephen King's "Danse Macabre" in which he explores the enduring legacy of Shelley's creation. He attributes the popularity of the monster to the brilliance of the idea and to the now classic film adaptations. I will distribute copies of the essay in class, today.

Your Task:

• Compose a 500+ word essay (3 full, typed pages; double-spaced; size 12 Times New Roman)  in which you explore the creature's continued omnipresence.
• Support your response with 
• specific references to films we have watched in class (or films you have watched on your own),
• references to the plot of Shelley's Frankenstein (the novel itself), 
• and references to Stephen King's essay.

Your completed, typed essay must be turned in by Friday, November 15th.

No complaints, please. After all, I could make you read the novel in its entirety, a novel Stephen King refers to as a "rather slow and talky melodrama."

I agree, Mr. King.