1. Visual Style of Film Noir
French term meaning ‘Black film’
The visual style of Noir usually entails dramatic shadows,
low-key lightening and harsh contrast. It is also suspense-
filled and thrilling. The visual style is Black and White
rather than colour.
Setting:Most Noir films are based
in Cities, night time shooting is also
common to capture more
darkness.Noir often doesn’t show
the person directly but views them
through a reflection in a mirror, or
even through a window.
Flashbacks and Flash-forwards are
used to provide a background to
the film setting and scene itself.The
storyline of Noir is essentially crime or murder. This
reflects the dark gloom of the harsh black and white tone.
Characters:One of the most
important aspects of Noir is it contains
a ‘Femme fatale’ (a woman who knows
what she wants and how to get it).
There is also almost always a hero or
anti-hero whom are being deceived by
this woman and are both in love with
her. It normally ends where she comes
out on top.

2. Theme:The primary themes are,
bleakness, disillusion, corruption,
blackmail, crime, evil, guilt and
desperation. Styled characteristics of
Noir are: realism, fatalism, defeat
and entrapment.