Ruttman's Berlin

Pathway Manual

Berlin, Symphony of a Big City

This pathway offers access to the city of Berlin by way of filmic representations of the city, particularly the 1927 film Berlin, Symphonie der Grossstadt directed by the German painter and filmmaker Walter Ruttmann. Film has become a commonplace way of experiencing urban space but we invite you here to de-naturalize the relationship between the city and the film medium. On this pathway filmic images of Berlin at various times of its existence are juxtaposed creating a complex layer of different views, representations, and interpretations of this space. The emphasis is on Ruttmann's filmic representation and on how it relates to and interacts with today's Berlin.

One stop on this pathway provides a critical evaluation of the criticism Berlin, Symphony of a Big City has received ever since it was first released. The text focuses on Siegfried Kracauer's negative assessment of the film which seems to have influenced most subsequent critics. The essay addresses issues such as the interpretive responsibility of film, audience, and critic and how this figures in Kracauer's writing, and the entrenched claim that visual spectacle necessarily prevents critical thought and engagement.

To access this pathway click on the movie theater. You will thus enter by way of a series of clips from the 1927 film Berlin, Symphonie der Grossstadt. Simply click on one of the still images to start a clip. These clips are accompanied by scenes filmed in contemporary Berlin that match or approximate the locations shown in Ruttmann's film. A voice-over commentary to accompany all of the clips is available. To access it click on the loudspeaker icon.

If you wish to leave the clips before the series has run its course you can click on one of the other stops within the pathway at any time. A list of these appears at all times on the left side of the screen. These stops are: filmnotes to Berlin, Symphonie der Grossstadt, Walter Ruttmann's statements about this film, contemporary reviews of the film with a focus on Siegfried Kracauer's, a critical look at the reception of the film, clips from other Berlin films including Signal ' Germany on the Air, Wings of Desire, and Lola Rennt all of them accompanied by filmnotes, non-filmic images of Berlin that are contemporary with Berlin, Symphonie der Grossstadt, and a general bibliography.

If you wish you can let the pathway guide you through these stops.