The article is inspired by the 1927 film Berlin. Symphony of a great city, the title of which gave name to the genre to which the film belongs: the city symphony. Films in this genre combine the features of a documentary and an avant-garde production, and depict the life of a metropolis; they are a sign of a fascination with city life. Walter Ruttmann’s film and the metaphor “city symphony” constitute a starting point for considerations on the nature of filmic matter and provide an opportunity for anthropological reflection on the nature of a city, especially on issues associated with visual aspects of the experience of a city and the image dominant in this experience. The metaphor of “city symphony” is interpreted as a harmonious blend of matter, sense, meanings and vitality which creates the city reality. The author focuses on the scientific and artistic fascinations of a city, about urban complexity and its cultural significance
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English