In 1927, Fritz Lang's Metropolis, a German Expressionist science-fiction film, presented a visually stunning and thought-provoking vision of the year 2026. As we enter the actual year, it's fascinating to examine how this nearly century-old cinematic masterpiece imagined our present and whether its predictions resonate with today's reality.

Metropolis depicts a futuristic urban dystopia, sharply divided into two distinct classes: wealthy industrialists and business magnates who live in luxury in towering skyscrapers, and a subterranean class of workers who toil relentlessly to operate the machines that power the city. This division is a central theme, exploring the social crisis between workers and owners inherent in capitalism. The film's narrative revolves around Freder, the son of the city's master, Joh Fredersen, and Maria, a young woman who seeks to bridge the gap between the classes.

Lang's Metropolis offered several predictions about 2026. The film envisioned a world of towering skyscrapers and advanced technology, but also one marked by social stratification and the potential for exploitation. The architecture of Metropolis is defined by height, with the wealthy living in the clouds, oblivious to the suffering below.

One of the most striking aspects of Metropolis is its depiction of automation and the role of machines in society. The film portrays a fear of industrialization and mass production, with workers intimately tied to the machinery of the city. While fully sentient robots may not have materialized by 2026, the film's depiction of large-scale automation aligns with current trends in manufacturing and the increasing role of robotics in various industries.

Metropolis also touches on themes of surveillance and control. The film features one of the first depictions of a video phone, and the city is presented as a panopticon, where the ruling class can monitor the population. In 2026, our reliance on technology has created new forms of surveillance, with our locations, preferences, and conversations often tracked and analyzed.

The film's message emphasizes the need for mediation between the "head" (the intellectuals) and the "hands" (the workers), suggesting that the "heart" must be the mediator. This theme remains relevant in today's world, where discussions about economic inequality and the impact of technology on labor are ongoing.

While Metropolis presents a dystopian vision, it also offers a message of hope. The film suggests that by bridging the gap between different social classes and finding a balance between technology and humanity, a better future is possible.