This film screened on Saturday 5th August 2017.

Director Walther Ruttmann was an early practitioner of experimental film, part of the ‘Absolute film’ school. Although this might still be classed as an avant-garde film, influenced by the early work of Dziga Vertov, it is structured so as to portray the life of Berlin and its inhabitants across the course of a single day.

Along with People On Sunday, which also features in this season, it presents a form of montage documentary that provides a fascinating insight into the city at this time, juxtaposing its imagery so as to provide subtle commentary on existing social divisions and concerns.

This screening is part of the Dark Corners: Cinema of the Weimar Republic season, running August 5th to 30th 2017. Click here for more information.