Lecture
Professor David Peimer
Saturday 17.01.2026
Professor David Peimer
Fritz Lang’s Masterpiece ‘Metropolis’: Who’s in Control - Machines or Humans?
Saturday 17.01.2026
How to watch
This lecture starts on 17 January at 5:00pm (UK).
Summary
We cannot live without machines. Yet, with them, we risk becoming less than human. As AI and computer-driven societies evolve, might we become controlled, “hackable animals” in Harari’s phrase? Or is that an exaggeration? Join us as we gaze into our possible future by delving into the past through Lang’s 1927 visually exhilarating classic film.
Professor David Peimer
David Peimer is a Professor of Literature, Film and Theatre in the UK. He has worked for the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, New York University (Global Division) and was a Fulbright Scholar at Columbia University. Born in South Africa, David has won numerous awards for playwriting and directing. He has most recently directed Dame Janet Suzman in his own play, Joanna’s Story, at London Jewish Book Week. He has published numerous books, including Armed Response: Plays from South Africa and the digital book Theatre in the Camps. He is on the board of the Pinter Centre (London), and has been involved with the Mandela Foundation, Vaclav Havel Foundation and directed a range of plays at Mr Havel’s Prague theatre.