Walter Ruttmann’s documentary is an avant-garde portrayal of life in Berlin during the 1920s. It eschews traditional narrative structures and actors, relying instead on a visual narrative characterized by rapid cuts and dynamic camerawork. It documents a day in the life of the city, from the empty streets in the morning, through the hustle and bustle of the day, to the evening’s entertainment. Through interwoven episodes and impressions from various aspects of life—such as factory work and nightlife—it creates a captivating visual symphony of urban life.

The program for the world premiere stated: “A work has been created that breaks with everything film has shown so far: There are no actors, and yet hundreds of thousands are performing. There is no plot, and yet countless dramas of life unfold. There are no sets and no props, and yet, in the wild rush of the hundred-horse panorama, one sees the countless faces of the metropolis. The powerful rhythm of work, the roaring hymn of pleasure, the cry of despair born of misery, and the thunder of the stone streets: all were united into the symphony of the great city.“

The music for this film is primarily inspired by the pulse of big-city life, which is characterized by hustle and bustle but is also interspersed with small oases of calm.

Ruttmann’s images set the rhythm and tempo very precisely, and the challenge was to create a suitable soundscape that bridges the gap between acoustic and electronic music, as well as between tradition and modernity.
The soundtrack was intended to serve as a bridge to the present day by interweaving classical compositional structures with modern elements such as sampling and looping.

Specifically, these elements were underscored by music that matched the rhythm of the images; individual film sequences were enhanced through detailed sound design; and specific scenes were brought to life through subtle acoustic nuances.

Thus, every moment of the 24-hour daily cycle brought its own musical mood. From the quiet twilight and lethargy of the morning, the bustle of the late morning, and the restfulness of noon, to the eccentric pulsation of the night.

The result is a contemporary, distinctive soundscape that reflects the contrasts of city life.