Fully restored 1927 classic futuristic film
Metropolis premieres at the 34^th HKIFF

23 January 2010 (Hong Kong) – Audiences at the 34^th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) will be the first in Asia to see Fritz Lang’s science fiction masterpiece Metropolis in its original Form. At a gala premiere in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre on 1 April 2010, the silent film premiere will mark one of the most important discoveries in cinematic history of all times - 83 years after the original version had its world premiere in Berlin.

For the first time, the original score by Lang’s close collaborator Gottfried Huppertz will be performed live by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta under the direction of world famous conductor, Frank Strobel.

“Metropolis is an undisputed classic which has inspired and influenced film history and culture for decades.” said Li Cheuk-to, Artistic Director of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society. "We are honored and delighted to be able to present the Asian Premiere of the original version of this legendary film at the 34^th HKIFF”

One of the most expensive films of its time, Metropolis is a landmark in the cinematic history and remains one of the most influential films ever made. Its impact is evident in classic works that have spanned the 20th century, from James Whale's Frankenstein, Dr. Strangelove to Gattaca and The Matrix. Its Gothic skyscrapers and divided society are clearly visible in films such as Blade Runner (1982) and Brazil (1985). Its evil Art Deco robot inspired the design of Star Wars android C-3PO, and Rudolf Klein-Rogge’s performance as Rotwang became the prototype for the many mad scientists of classic horror films of the 1930s and beyond. Shots from the film are also extensively featured in the video for Queen's 1984 song "Radio Ga Ga".

For decades crucial scenes from Metropolis - whose restoration in 2001 led to it being the first film recognized as belonging to the UNESCO World Documentary Heritage – were considered lost forever. Due to the sensational discovery of a 16-mm negative in Buenos Aires in 2008 and its current restoration, Metropolis can now be seen at the 34^th HKIFF in its - more than 30 minute longer – original version.

The restoration and reconstruction of Metropolis is currently one of the world’s most important film restoration projects. The restoration is being carried out by the Wiesbaden-based Murnau Foundation in cooperation with ZDF and arte, and the Deutsche Kinemathek – Museum für Film und Fernsehen (Berlin), and with the Museo del Cine Pablo C. Ducros Hicken (Buenos Aires). The original music by Gottfried Huppertz will be re-edited by the European FilmPhilharmonic / Die Film-Philarmonie GmbH.

The restoration of the lost footage is not just a case of added extras or a director's cut of only academic interest. Prior to the discovery of the lost scenes, Metropolis had been, in the words of film historian Enno Patalas, "thoroughly and irreparably destroyed, as few other films have been." With whole sections missing, previous versions often covered the gaps with invented motivations and new inter-titles, distorting the film's original story.

Metropolis is set in the year 2026, in the extraordinary Gothic skyscrapers of a corporate city-state, the Metropolis of the title. Society has been divided into two rigid groups - one of planners or thinkers, who live high above the earth in luxury, and another of workers who live underground working to sustain the lives of the privileged. The city is run by Johhan 'Joh' Fredersen (Alfred Abel). One of the workers, the beautiful Maria (Brigitte Helm), takes up the cause of the workers. The son of Frederson, Freder (Gustav Fröhlich), becomes infatuated with Maria, descends into the working underworld and, shocked at the working conditions, joins her cause. To counter the threat of worker dissatisfaction his father has The Robot built by the scientist Rotwang (Rudolf Klein-Rogge). The Robot is given Maria's appearance and is directed by Joh to spread disorder and so allow the workers to be crushed.

The 34^th HKIFF, which runs from 21 March to 6 April, 2010, offers a unique opportunity for the audience to experience and celebrate a key milestone of cinema history. Tickets for the Asian Gala Premiere of Metropolis, jointly presented by Goethe-Institut Hongkong, will be on sale from 8 February 2010 at URBTIX at HK$600, HK$350, $250, $180 & $100. All Citibank Credit Card holders will receive 10% for the purchase of Metropolis tickets at all URBTIX counters. General ticket sales for the complete programme of the 34^th HKIFF will open for Citibank Priority Booking on 25 February 2010, and for public on 28 February 2010.

About HKIFF

The HKIFF is one of Asia’s most reputable platforms for filmmakers, film professionals and filmgoers from all over the world to launch new works and experience outstanding films.

Screening over 250 titles from more than 50 countries in 11 major cultural venues across the territory, the Festival is Hong Kong’s largest cultural event that reaches an audience of over 580,000 including 4,500 business executives who attend Hong Kong Film and Television Market (FILMART), a concurrent event of the HKIFF. The 34^th HKIFF will be held from 21 March to 6 April 2010.

Committed to discovering new talent, the Festival premieres the breadth of Chinese cinema and showcases Asian talents. As a lifestyle event, festival-goers can enjoy world-class films, attend seminars hosted by leading filmmakers from around the world, visit film exhibitions, join celebration parties, and more. For more information, please visit www.hkiff.org.hk

About Hong Kong Sinfonietta

Music Director: Yip Wing-sie

Hong Kong Sinfonietta is one of Hong Kong’s flagship orchestras which has gained significant recognition on local and international stages for its passionate and energetic performances. Under the leadership of Music Director Yip Wing-sie, the orchestra has brought quality orchestral music closer to the community through innovative programming and pioneering educational concerts. Over the years, the orchestra has collaborated with an illustrious array of musicians and groups including Vladimir Ashkenazy, Plácido Domingo, David Garrett, Luciano Pavarotti, Pinchas Zukerman, The Royal Ballet and Kirov Ballet. The orchestra has been a regular guest at festivals at home and has given performances in France, Italy, Japan, Shanghai and Warsaw. Apart from the standard orchestral repertoire, the orchestra commissions new works every year and also ventures into crossover performances with other art forms. The orchestra accompanied the epic silent film Napoléon in 1993 and presented the Asian première of Oscar-winning animated film Peter and the Wolf at the Hong Kong International Film Festival in 2007.

About Frank Strobel

Frank Strobel has established himself as an important figure in the world of film music. He combines a thorough grounding in the Classical, Romantic and 20th century concert repertoire with a wealth of experience as a conductor, arranger, editor, producer and recording artist. As well as editing and conducting the original music for silent film classics, Frank Strobel has made a speciality of arranging and performing new scores. Vintage films he has worked on include Battleship Potemkin, The New Babylon, Alexander Nevski, Dr Mabuse, Metropolis, The Nibelungen, Rosenkavalier, Nosferatu, Faust, Pandora`s Box, Tabu, Berlin: Symphony of a Big City, Romeo and Juliet, The Lodger, Mr West, Intolerance, Foolish Wives, City Lights, The Gold Rush, Modern Times, The Circus and The Kid.

# # #

For photo-stills and the original key-art of Metropolis, please contact: