S 1921 Move notes

 M is a pioneering work in the film noir genre, with many gangster film techniques tracing their origins back to this movie. The film showcases advanced investigative methods of its time, such as fingerprint analysis, area searches, and note analysis. The story begins with the chilling revelation that several little girls have been murdered, and soon, the murderer emerges. While the characters in the film remain unaware of the killer's identity, the audience's attention shifts to the process of capturing him rather than identifying him. When M is finally caught by the gangsters, the focus of the story shifts to the confrontation between the police and the gang, though this confrontation is portrayed in a single scene. The film reaches its climax in the last ten minutes with the gang's trial of M, elevating the narrative to new heights. One striking sequence depicts the simultaneous efforts of the gang and the police to arrest M. Through seamless time-space editing, the dire...

"Metropolis," a classic film from 1927, stands as a testament to cinematic innovation and profound social critique. Its greatness lies not only in its technological advancements but also in its forward-thinking ideas and critical perspective on society. The film opens with the roar of machinery, setting the stage for a story where workers in black uniforms move like zombies to a cold, industrial workshop, descending into the underground. This striking image highlights the harsh realities of industrialization and the plight of the working class. Meanwhile, above the towering buildings, the affluent enjoy a life of luxury, starkly contrasting with the workers' grim existence. This visual and thematic juxtaposition effectively critiques societal class divisions. As a silent film, "Metropolis" relies on its visual storytelling and intertitles to convey the plot, requiring viewers to interpret the actors' body language and expressions. This ancient yet clear narr...