Diving: A discussion after a screening of "M"

Fritz Lang’s M (1931) is a film that continues to provoke serious reflection. Set during the final years of the Weimar Republic, it follows a city’s effort to capture a child murderer. The film builds tension through its use of sound, silence, and atmosphere, revealing a society unraveling under fear, suspicion, and distrust of authority.

The Sadist ("Der Sadist") is a book published by the German psychiatrist Karl Berg, following the confessions of Peter Kürten, a well-known serial murderer in late 1920s Germany.

Studying the book, M does a superlative work of depicting the proclivities of Hans Beckert, the protagonist of M, which in turn makes the film still relevant and factually accurate.

The murderer’s eerie whistling of “In the Hall of the Mountain King” became one of the earliest uses of a recurring audio motif in film history. Lang also used silence deliberately, creating tension through restraint.

Although an early talky, M's success influenced the development of noir, crime drama, psychological thriller, and police procedural genres.

Involving the ringvereine (the German equivalent of the mafia), M depicts the societal chaos in 1930s Germany and the failure of Weimar administration.

What's more, basing story events on real crimes conducted by the ringvereine, M stands out among serial killer films by being authentic, engaging, and socially relevant. Lang chose M as his favourite for its social and political commentary.

M is not a film, but a masterpiece. It's for the beady-eyed film student and the picky connoisseur. It's for the thoughtful and the thirsty.

It's something that will linger in your memory for its unique story and masterful storytelling.

During our recent screening and discussion of the film, we looked at the real-world influences behind the film - especially the case of Peter Kürten and how Lang used Karl Berg’s The Sadist to shape the character of Hans Beckert. The film’s attention to psychological detail is one reason it still feels current. Lang didn’t rely on sensationalism. He focused on behavior, voice, and movement to create something that still disturbs audiences today.

We also spoke about M’s technical and cultural legacy. As an early sound film, it introduced techniques that would shape noir, psychological thrillers, and procedural dramas. It also portrayed organized crime and law enforcement in ways that were uncommon for its time, raising questions about accountability and power.

More than ninety years later, M still feels relevant. Thanks to everyone who came for the screening and stayed for the conversation.

IF YOU LIKED SERIAL KILLER FILMS LIKE SEVEN, PSYCHO, AND THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS; THEN THESE ARE FOR YOU:

• Burning (2018) by Lee Chang-dong

• The Snowtown Murders (2012) by Justin Kurzel

• Memories of Murder (2003) by Bong Joon-ho

• Monster (2004) by Patty Jenkins

• Badlands (1973) by Terrence Malick

See you at the next one!