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Convections of a genre; Film Noir

Film Noir are commonly associated with Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and sexual motivations. Film Noir is ofen described as essintially pessimistic and the films are seens as depicitng a world that is inherenty corrupt. To emphasis this, darkenss, fog and glom are normally relevent with Film Noir, as well as giving a mysterious nd dangerous on edge feeling which the genre is subjected to. Heavy, jazz music is normally used within Noir films to give the film and edge of sophistication as well as mystery. This can also be relevantly related to the genres growth in popularity around the 1950’s. Main compenents of a Film Noir are:

Dark sidewalks Rain drenched streets Flashing neon signs City is villianous/hostile Alcohol/alcoholics Cigarettes Guns Trench coats

All of the above compenets stated help to emphasis the atmosphere the film aims to create.

Characters: Many different characters take part in the ‘Noir’ genre, the more commonly known and associated are;

Corrupt police Alienated protagonist Misogynistic men Femme fatale

Protagonist: There are several types of protagonists found with a Film Noir, such as the hero or the villain (anti-hero). These characters were male and could be anything from a criminal- such as a killer, typical crook or a mobster- to a man of the law e.g. a police officer, a federal agent or a private detective. Other protagonists included ware veterans, which was appropriate during the time period and average American men. The characteristics of the protagonist’s generally crucial to this style of film. Even the hero depicted some form of personality trait that made him less than satisfied with his day to day life and the current world around him. The protagonist often displayed traits that fed into the darkness of the film. He would be a man down on his luck, insecure or lonely, or he was perceived as the man who has a sinister or disillusioned outlook on the world and society as whole.

Misogynistic Men:Male leads were often anti-heroes who were hard-boiled disillusioned, misogynistic or cynical. As this reflected the mid set of the early 1940’s/50’s where many men felt that they were without purpose, that there was a lack of justice, and highlighted their feelings towards the newly independent, post war woman. Misogyny is the dislike or hatred of girls and women. Misogyny can be manifested in numerous ways, including sexual discrimination, denigration of women, violence against women, and sexual objectification of women. This characteristic of men is mainly involved within Film Noir and is highly important when making the films successful.

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Femme Fatale: The classic ‘Femme Fatal’ resorts to murder to free herself from an unbearable relationship with a man who would try to possess and control her, as if she were a piece of property. These characters are presented as prizes for the male characters within the film. The men’s treatment of women as possessions is a reoccurring theme in the film noir genre. Also marriage for the ‘Femme Fatal’ is associated with unhappiness, boredom and the absence of romantic lobe and sexual desire. Characteristics; mysterious, duplicitous, double crossing, unloving, pretty, predatory, tough-sweet, unreliable, irresponsible, manipulative and desperate women. Femme fatal would lead the struggling and doomed hero into commenting murder of another crime of passion coupled with a twisted love. Femme fatal is also characterised as a highly attractive women who dresses seductively and has an air of mystery or intrigue about her. She is a women of low morals and is most often portrayed as a villain or even a murdered. In some cases, the femme fatale may be reformed by the hero by the end of the film.

Basic Overview of characters:

Detective Femme fatal Corrupt police Gangsters Heroes Criminals Down and out writer

Settings:A major aspect in creating a successful ‘Film Noir’ movie is the location in which it is set. Stereotypical settings for this genre of film are:

Rural locations e.g. warehouse, factories Bars/lounges/clubs Diners Gambling dens Decks Seaside Promenade Urban locations e.g. L.A, New York, San Francisco Police stations Alleyways Empty streets

Visual Style:Several different styles are used in ‘Film Noir’ to add darkness and mystery to the film. These are;

Blocking shot- normally through shutters or blinds Low key lighting Shots through mirrors, and frosted glass Cantered angels, low and high Shadows/ darkness/ silhouettes Ominous facial expressions

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Themes:The theme of the film sets the movie in motion and allows the audience to grasp what the movie is going to be about. Common themes used in Film Noir are:

Greed Love Betrayal Jealousy Lust Revenge Corruption Sex Justice Murder

Main Themes:

Transgression of social norms Someone evil going against what you would normally expect Taboo