Metropolis. Dystopia & Rebellion

The Deutsche Kinamatek presents an innovative project entitled “Metropolis. Dystopia & Rebellion”, marking the 100th anniversary of Fritz Lang’s cinematic classic. The exhibition aims to highlight the contemporary relevance of this influential silent film. The E-Werk – a former 1920s transformer station in Berlin-Mitte – now serves as the museum’s temporary exhibition venue. In this building which operated during the time of the film, audiences will encounter a transdisciplinary space to experience and discuss numerous artistic works related to “Metropolis”.

The miniature model builder Simon Weisse will create a walk-through sculpture for the exhibition that navigates the cinematic vision and the real-world architecture of futuristic cities. Media artist Julian Rosefeldt will expand Fritz Lang’s and Thea von Habous’s film with an AI-based story machine that explores the subjects of class warfare, the machine cult, utopia and exploitation. Filmmaker Saodat Ismailova is developing a video installation that highlights female perspectives of cities and the future. An installation by the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles will shed light on the global impact of “Metropolis”, ranging from cyberpunk to Afrofuturism to post-colonial positions. The exhibition will be supplemented by a film series entitled “Dystopie & Klassenkampf” (Dystopia & Class Warfare).

“Metropolis. Dystopia & Rebellion” is funded through General Project Funding by the German Federal Cultural Foundation. It will open in spring 2027 at the Deutsche Kinemathek in Berlin, followed by presentations in Torino and Hong Kong.

Artistic director: Heleen Gerritsen
Curators: Kristina Jaspers, Georg Simbeni 
Participating artists: Saodat Ismailova, Julian Rosefeldt, Simon Weisse
Exhibition: Deutsche Kinemathek – Museum of Film and Television, Berlin: 18 Mar. – 26 Sep. 2027