Algol - Tragödie der macht (Tragedy of Power). 1920. Directed by Hans Werckmeister

Film

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"The rule of coal is gone. The bios plants will provide power to the world from today!" In this rediscovery of Weimar cinema, a dystopian vision of unfettered capitalism that is eerily contemporary, a coal miner makes a Faustian pact with the otherworldly Algol, an alien who teaches him how to harness the energy of his home star and become the most powerful man on earth. Together they become megalomaniacal CEOs of the "Bios-Werke," lording over the nations of the world by monopolizing renewable energy and by turning workers into slaves.

Algol - Tragödie der macht (Tragedy of Power). 1920. Germany. Directed by Hans Werckmeister. Screenplay by Hans Brennert, Friedel Köhne. With Emil Jannings, John Gottowt, Hans Adalbert Schlettow. With German and English intertitles. 103 min.

Digital restoration courtesy of the Munich Film Museum. Silent; with original soundtrack score by Stephen Horne

This film accompanies Future Imperfect: The Uncanny in Science Fiction.

Past events

Sun, Jul 30, 2017, 1:00 p.m.

MoMA, Floor T2, Theater 2

The Roy and Niuta Titus Theater 2
Thu, Jul 27, 2017, 4:00 p.m.

MoMA, Floor T2, Theater 2

The Roy and Niuta Titus Theater 2

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