1. Film Noir Conventions

2. Visual Style German Expressionism Dutch/canted angles Low angle shots Wide angle lens Side-lighting Ominous facial expressions Characters faces covered with shadow Shots through mirrors/frosted glass

3. Structure/Narrative Flashbacks/forwards Protaganist often narrates Unusual, convuluted storylines Narrative drive provided by protaganists search for justice

4. Characters Jealous husbands Corrupt policemen Femme fatale Alienated Down and out writers Keen smokers Hard-boiled and flawed Existential bitterness

5. Setting Constants rain Doom and gloom Always night Bars/lounges Night clubs Gambling dens Labyrinth maze Urban areas and cities, eg. New York

6. Iconography Guns Cigar Alcohol Police stuff Trilby Smoke Suits Cars

7. Themes Jealousy Greed Corruption Revenge Justice Sex – usually through innuendo