This document analyzes several frames from a film and identifies how they employ conventions of the film noir genre. It discusses how the frames use low-key lighting, shadows, cigarettes, fire, and silhouetted figures to set a moody, mysterious tone typical of film noirs. Specific shots highlighted include matches being lit that emphasize red tones, a man lighting cigarettes, a body circled by fire, a figure in a trench coat seen from a low angle, a man dropping a lit cigarette while wearing gloves, and a large explosion.
2. A close up of several matches being lit shows the
first generic convention of film noir. The
brightness of the flame overpowers the low key
lighting in the background which emphasises the
red section of the match and the flame itself.
Red is a well known connotation for love and
blood, which are both suitable titles that fit into a
film noir. It is made clear in this frame that is not
filmed in black and white, taking it away from the
film noir genre, and nicely slotting it into the
‘neo-noir’ genre.
This frame shows low key lighting with
only a few matches lighting his face; this
is a common convention used in film noir
to break up and hide an identity of a
person, making them look more
mysterious. Also a medium close up is
shown of him actually lighting the
cigarette; cigarettes are one of the main
sections of the iconography creating the
film noir effect.
3. This frame shows a long shot of the man
setting fire to some petrol on the ground. The
long shot is not only used to show the full
actions of the man, but also to show his
surroundings; a lot of fire and smoke is made
visible which are both conventions of a film
noir setting.
This next shot shows a medium shot of
an unconscious man being circled by
fire. This again is a shot where the
flame stands out due to the low key
lighting in the background, lighting up
the man’s dying body which contrasts
well with the dark surroundings. This a
well used convention and technique in
film noir.
4. The low angle long shot used here is to
show power over other people and so the
audience can see the body of the
silhouette with the power is, in film noir,
power/authority is a main feature. Another
convention used here is the costume, a
black trench coat. This covers the whole
body to enhance the mystery of this man’s
identity.
With there being a lot of low key lighting, it
casts a shadow, seen in this frame by the
man walking down the stairs. Shadows are
a key convention used in classic noirs
because they increase the mystery of
identity. In this frame, it keeps the
audience guessing who this character is
and their purpose.
5. Guns are a main part of the iconography
of film noir, portraying violence and
death. Guns are used in film noir to
show a large amount of corruption. This
shows dishonesty and authority/power
over people which is a key convention of
film noir. This also gives off a sense of
criminality and perhaps the silhouetted
character is not friendly
This close up of the silhouetted man
dropping a lit cigarette is a clever
convention of film noir. As it shows that
he is wearing black gloves which
increases the mystery of this man as it
hides his identity more by making this
man no longer visible. Almost like he
has disappeared.
6. The final frame in the opening sequence shows
a large bright explosion which is lighting up the
whole of the scene. This also signals the man’s
death as we saw the mysterious silhouetted
man escape. This shows a key convention of
film noir; fire and death, leaving nothing
behind. This also makes the audience take part
in finding out who did this. A clever technique
used in film noir to draw the audience in.
