HIGH CONTRAST between black and white is a very effective tool in film. Firstly, it focuses the viewers’ attention on a specific part of the scene, and secondly it expresses the importance of the scene in relation to others in the movie.

In Fritz Lang’s METROPOLIS, there is a scene where Maria, the “leader” of the workers, is being chased by the mad scientist Rotwang, so that he may make a robot in her image to help to Joh Frederson, the man in charge of the city, better control the workers. The scene is about the chase, and the fear of being caught. We are shown very little of the surroundings, although we know they are in an underground labyrinth of sorts. All emphasis is on the expressions of those involved in the chase. The fact that the background is black effectively helps convey the fear in this scene making the immediate surroundings unknown and uncertain. The high contrast also intensifies the scene compared to previous ones in the movie. In terms of film making, the use of darkness is also very helpful in simplifying sets. Less detail is needed as the sets, at least in this scene, are poorly lit. Lighting is a very simple way to simplify, and subsequently lower costs associated with set production. Lowering costs, especially in Metropolis, one of the most expensive movies ever made relative to their time, is a very important factor in the production of a movie.