Join the School of Filmmaking for a screening of Fritz Lang’s “Metropolis” (1927) with a roaring live metal score by The Silent Light. Hosted by film scholar and filmmaker Gary Mairs.

A distinguished faculty member at CalArts since 1997, Gary Mairs’ expertise spans Film History (including realist style, Rock & Roll movies and the Western) and editing. His film work has played at festivals including Rotterdam, Courtisane, Zinebi, Palm Springs and San Diego Underground.

The Silent Light is led by multi-instrumentalist, visual artist, and filmmaker Mike Formanski. Mike has collaborated with various artists such as Moby, Gregory Porter, Lady Blackbird, Akemi Fox and Amanda Gookin. The Silent Light has written and performed scores for classic German silent films including “Nosferatu,” “Metropolis” and “Faust.”

“Metropolis” is a groundbreaking German expressionist film that revolutionized science fiction cinema with its visionary depiction of a dystopian future. The film follows the struggle between the working class and the elite in a towering city where a young man discovers the harsh realities of social inequality. Its striking visual style and ambitious special effects continue to influence filmmakers and define the genre's aesthetic.