Context and ideology in film noir

1. A brief introduction

2. • To understand ideology
• To obtain knowledge of the social / historical
context of film noir
• Explore central ideological themes
• To apply obtained knowledge to previous
viewings
Objectives

3. An ideology is a world view, a system of values, attitudes and beliefs
which an individual, group or society holds to be true or important;
these are shared by a culture or society about how that society
should function.
OR IN PLAIN ENGLISH
Ideas, values and beliefs in society, often taken for
granted and as ‘commonsense’.
Film noir challenges these
Ideology

4. Main focus on male protagonists
• Problems of readjustment
• Threat of domesticity
• Sense of alienation from family,
society and its roots
• Fear of female economic
indepedence
PostWorldWar II America

5. What is being suggested in this clip?

6. Unstable places – reflection of cultural
apprehension – Red Scare and threat of nuclear
war.
House of Unamerican Activities (HUAC) –
Hollywood on trial, air of fear and uncertainty,
lack of freedom of speech.
Male protagonist must confront his past – full of
secrets that can no longer be hidden.
Fear

7. Guilt Blackmail Arrest
Trial for Murder
American or ‘Un’American?
Noir Discourse

8. Choose a clip from one of the noir films that you
have studied and apply your understanding of:
• Ideology
• Context
Be prepared to feedback and to
use appropriate media language
and terminology
Task

9. To think about