FILM NOIR

Film noir (French for “Black Film”) is a style of cinematographic film dominated heavily by a sense of pessimism, fatalism, and menace. Originally the term was applied to American thriller or detective films made in the period 1944–54 and was coined by a group of French critics.

WHAT IS FILM NOIR?

The style of Film Noir was typically used to convey stylish Hollywood dramas in the 1940’s to 1950’s. Film Noir has often been used to emphasize sexual motivations and cynical attitudes.

THE USE OF FILM NOIR

Low-key lighting is a scheme often associated with Film Noir, with frequent use of dark contrast lighting. An iconic visual image of Film Noir is the shadow of Venetian Blinds cast across the actors or the set.

VISUAL STYLE

Another visual style of Film Noir is the use of shadows to obscure the actors face either partially, or fully. Another classic style of Film Noir is the black and white cinematography. Low- angles, wide-angles, and distorted shots are another common component in Film Noir. Other devices in Film Noir used to disorientate the audience include reflected shots of mirrors and shots through curved glass.

VISUAL STYLE

Many Film Noirs have a non-linear storyline. Frequent uses of flashbacks are designed to disorientate the audience, and can often be used to disrupt the narrative sequence. On occasions, voiceovers can be used as a structuring device, generally used in a first-person narrative. Another device used to alter the structure and narrative is the use of filming from different perspectives, and sometimes from entirely one view point, such as the protagonist.

STRUCTURE AND NARRATIVE DEVICES

Corruption Crime MurderMistaken IdentityBetrayal/Double CrossingTransgression of Social Norms

FREQUENT THEMES WITHIN FILM NOIR

Urban Setting-Generally a large, chaotic, labyrinth-like city

Bars/Nightclub/LoungeCasino/Gambling DenIndustrial Setting

SETTING