From sound artist Tomer Baruch and drummer Alex Brajković comes a new electronic soundtrack for Fritz Lang’s century-old classic film, Metropolis. The new score comes with this preface:
One of the most significant themes in the dystopian feature is the blurred-to-nonexistent line separating man and machine; Human-like machines, Mechanical-humans, real-life android deepfakes, and above all the city of Metropolis, an enormous machine and within it men, slaved to maintain its operation. The theme that was disturbing in the beginning of the 20th century is as relevant as ever with the latest developments in AI, forcing us to rethink again what makes us human.
In analogy to that the soundtrack is based on archive recordings of early 20th century machinery, on top of which Tomer Baruch and Alex Brajkovic play analog synthesizers and drums. They interface with the machines and embody a relentlessly repetitive mechanical motion, one which is usually sequenced or programmed. By creating music which is in itself blurring the line between man and machine, by subjecting themselves to machine-like patterns, the musicians become a part of Metropolis, creating a disillusioned, intensified and darker than ever soundtrack for the film.
Baruch and Alex Brajković created the soundtrack for the Sounds of Silence Film Festival, Den Haag in 2019. Stream it above.
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Caravaggio
Adds nothing to the film. In fact it seems totally inappropriate and out of place and time.
The Giorgio Moroder version (1984) with popular artists such as Freddie Mercury, Bonnie Tyler, Pat Benatar, Adam Ant and Jon Anderson, is far better.
In my first film studies class, I was privileged to see a screening of “Phantom of the Opera” with Chauncey Haines playing the organ. Chauncey played organ during the silent era. He had no sheet music, he just watched the movie and set the mood. As he explained afterward, “If you’re aware of me, I failed.” I miss you, sir.
Thank you for this. Looking forward to watching this version. I love hearing new soundtracks for old silent films.
Another version was done for “Metropolis” in 1991 by the great Club Foot Orchestra, a terrific modern jazz band that also put music to “Nosferatu” and “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.” That’s the music I hear when I think of any of these films.
I honor the orchestral masterpiece. Why try to re paint the Mona Lisa?
Original great. New one great. Both were created with love I assume.
Detractors and uber-critics, rethink please.
If I understand correctly, a musical score no longer exists for Fritz Lang’s, Metropolis. It is difficult to find a full length cut of the film. There is a 3 hour, 42 minute edit on ‘tombombadil’ YouTube channel. However, there is no musical score