Film Noir

Film Noir was the first purpose made thriller. It was highly popular in the day (WW2) and was highly influential on modern cinema. The reason that this is so popular is because of the effective use of lighting and mise -en-scene.

What is Film Noir about?
· A hero with a past
·
Fatal woman
·
Always set in big American cities
·
Most popular immediately after WW2
·
Themes- sexual politics, deception, crime

Hero
Ø
Man of middle years- about 30’s-40’s
Ø
Embroiled in a plot not of his making
Ø
Helpless to resist the sexual advances of female fatale
Ø
Usually dies at the end

Female Fatale
Ø
Sexually liberal woman
Ø
Gets the hero into trouble
Ø
Double crossing
Ø
Murderous
Ø
Hair draped over one eye

The City
Ø
A place where sin is rife
Ø
An impersonal setting
Ø
Capitalist
Ø
A dark place
Ø
Unfriendly
Ø
Modern

Post WW2
Ø
Male insecurity in returning to a female dominated world
Ø
Women have to use their wiles to regain control
Ø
Man is no longer a hero

The Influence
Ø
German expressionist cinema

Features of Expressionism
Ø
Archways (portals and doorways)
Ø
Shadows (often bars)
Ø
Mirrors
Ø
Windows
Ø
Sharp angles and lines dividing the shot