Cyborg Theory

[replicarter.livejournal.com]

Today, class, we will watch the magnificent Metropolis, the original film on the nature of cyborg. It was directed by Fritz Lang in 1927 and was heralded by Adolf Hitler as his favorite film. This is ironic, of course, as the theme of the film is about uniting the working class with the elite. However, as it is a very pretty film, you may believe that Hitler was blinded by the spectacle.

And in fact, the spectacle of this film is rather infamous as most of the science fiction films you know and love copy imagery and ideas from Lang’s masterpiece. The city in Blade Runner, for example, is but an updated carbon copy of Metropolis itself. And the idea of the doppelganger – the sweet, charming human version versus the chaotic and sexually immoral robotic version -- has been a much beloved plot device in the genre of science fiction and fantasy. Also, you will notice how Futura, in her robotic form, resembles the droid that young Anakin has spoken of, named C3P0, I believe.

I expect you all to take notes during the film and hand in a paper next week comparing some aspect of the film to another science fiction storytale or actual real life experience of your own.

*waves a wee red flag and starts the film*


And if any of you wish to write a paper on how Futura only did as she was programmed and it was a shame that they destroyed her, I might give you extra credit.

Comments

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

Cally takes good notes, and makes a side note that she might want to compare it to Osamu Tezuka's Metropolis for her paper.

[leeadama.livejournal.com]

Lee attentively watches the film and takes notes. He is deeply troubled by the hero's lack of active heroism and how he is bedridden for much of the film after seeing his beloved Maria in the arms of his father and fainting -- not knowing that it was faux!Maria and that his own sweet angel was locked up and screaming for him. He hopes to never catch HIS father embracing any young lady he fancies...

A note for the teacher

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

On her way into class, Beka sets a note on Dr. Carter's desk. It's an excused absence note from Dr. Wilson in the clinic from last week's class, who treated her for confidential injuries.

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

Beka settled into a seat by the wall, took out her notepad, and took notes. Anyone who actually got close enough to read them might wonder if they had anything to do with the film. They do, but they're an extrapolation of the values of the film to goings on in FH life and a complex meditation on the nature of good and evil.

[emo-padawan.livejournal.com]

Anakin was in a fantastic mood today. He took insanely detailed notes, including a sketch of Futura and how she differed from Threepio in both form and function.

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

Sam signed in. She took notes on the film, although she already had an idea of what she was going to discuss in her paper, based purely on the lecture.

[can_be_more]

Aeryn watches, but decides to remember what she can rather than actually taking notes. Also, she curses paper-writing a lot.

[bridge-carson.livejournal.com]

Bridge watches the film and takes notes, all the while trying very hard not to bounce out of his seat and distract the other students. Sitting still is hard, yo.

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

John takes notes, doodles, takes notes, waves at Lee, takes notes, and doodles Dr. Carter on a horse.

[pyramid-is-life.livejournal.com]

Kara signs in and watches the movie. Who needs notes?

[sharon-valerii.livejournal.com]

Bouncing into class, Sharon takes a seat, smiles at her lovely professor and settles down to take notes. This could be a fun movie. and I totally could cheat and dig out my old paper from film class

[kawalsky.livejournal.com]

Kawalsky sat and watched the movie. He was mesmerized by the working machine looking like a monster and the humans being so expendable. He forgot to take notes because he was too busy being drawn in by the movie, but he did have a few ideas about what to write on for the paper.