Fascism On Film - Episode 9 - Metropolis

"HEAD and HANDS need a mediator. THE MEDIATOR BETWEEN HEAD AND HANDS MUST BE THE HEART!"

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Holmes Movies Podcast team. Here's to a more prosperous and great 2026.

Welcome to the ninth episode of our ongoing series: Fascism On Film. Each episode of this series, the Holmes Brothers look and review a film that has to do with fascism. During the episodes, the brothers look and see how the aspects and portrayal of fascism shown in the film relate to current and/or past events.

On this Fascism on Film episode, the Holmes Brothers look at Fritz Lang's colossally influential science fiction epic, Metropolis. Released in 1927, Metropolis is a masterpiece of German Expressionist cinema that has inspired every sci fi movie from Star Wars to Blade Runner to even Tim Burton's Batman films. The film has even inspired music videos like Queen's Radio Ga-Ga and Madonna's Express Yourself, the music video for this song was directed by David Fincher. The film is set in a futuristic world. A sprawling concrete jungle that is reminiscent of Manhattan. The working class work below in the bowels of the city keeping it running while the wealthy upper class live up in decadence. Freder (played by Gustav Fröhlich), the son of a wealthy city master, falls in love with Maria a saintly and beautiful girl. She is kidnapped and she is used to bring the robot designed and built by Rotwang (Rudolf Klein-Rogge). Using Maria's likeness, the Machine causes chaos and Maria and Freder try to help save and bridge the divide between the people.

We hope you enjoy this episode and stay tuned for more episodes of this Fascism On Film series.

Be sure to check out our Monument Valley Film on our YouTube Channel.

Anders's screenwriter work can also be seen at work in the horror, car chase thriller Delivery Run, co-written with & directed by Joey Palmroos. The film has been released digitally and also in select cinemas in the US. In Finland, it will be released in cinemas on November 5th. You can read a review about it here on the Fangoria website.

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Anders

Adam

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