Composer & synthesist Tomer Baruch (Synthesized Sounds of the Sea) and drummer Alex Brajkovic have released a new electronic soundtrack to the classic Fritz Lang dystopian science fiction silent film, Metropolis (1927).
Fritz Lang’s Metropolis was a key example of German expressionist film and is considered as one of the first, if not the first, science fiction film that would eventually inspire and influence directors such as Ridley Scott, Stanley Kubrick and George Lucas. The film portrays an urban dystopia set in the year 2000 where society is divided into two: an opulent ruling class that live in luxurious above ground skyscrapers, whilst the working underclass toil in a subterranean hellish nightmare. Predicting the future of artificial intelligence, Metropolis is ruled and controlled by a female shaped robot that keeps the harmony between the different classes. But what will happen once she gets out of control?
The new score was created for the Sounds of Silence Film Festival, Den Haag.
Here’s what they have to say about the new score:
“One of the most significant themes in the dystopian feature is the blurred-to-nonexistent line separating man and machine; Human-like machines, Mechanical-humans, real-life android deepfakes, and above all the city of Metropolis, an enormous machine and within it men, slaved to maintain its operation. The theme that was disturbing in the beginning of the 20th century is as relevant as ever with the latest developments in AI, forcing us to rethink again what makes us human.
In analogy to that, the soundtrack is based on archive recordings of early 20th century machinery, on top of which Tomer Baruch and Alex Brajkovic play analog synthesizers and drums. They interface with the machines and embody a relentlessly repetitive mechanical motion, one which is usually sequenced or programmed. By creating music which is in itself blurring the line between man and machine, by subjecting themselves to machine-like patterns, the musicians become a part of Metropolis, creating a disillusioned, intensified and darker than ever soundtrack for the film.”
Tomer Baruch is an interdisciplinary musician and sound artist with an interest in a wide variety of genres, ranging from popular music to jazz, post-african and experimental electronic music. He has studied Jazz piano at the Jerusalem Music Academy and Sonology at The Royal Conservatory in The Hague where is is currently a research associate. In the past years Baruch has performed intensively across Israel, Europe and the US, composed music for theatre, film and dance and released three solo albums and many more with various bands and ensembles. His latest album “Subterranean Currents” was released on SØVN Records on March 2018. Website: www.tomerbaruch.com
Alex Brajković is a drummer, percussionist, composer and programmer with a master degree in Live Electronics (Conservatorium Van Amsterdam), bachelor degree in Jazz Drums (Conservatory of Vicenza) and a specialization degree in Karnatic (South Indian) rhythms. Alex is active as a solo performer with drums, percussion and live electronics, but also as a live and studio drummer playing around Europe with various artists. Recent performances include: Jools Holland show BBC TV, North Sea Jazz Festival Rotterdam, Nice Jazz Festival, London Jazz Festival and more. Website: alexbrajkovic.com