AS Media Studies- A Film Noir

1. JHC Productions

2.  Film Noir a cinematic term used primarily to
describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas
 Particularly dramas that emphasize cynical
attitudes and sexual motivations.
 Hollywood's classical film noir period is generally
regarded as extending from the early 1940s to the
late 1950s.
 Film noir of this era is associated with a low-key
black-and-white visual style that has roots in
German Expressionist cinematography.
 Many of the Film Noir stories and attitude come
from the school of crime fiction that begun in the
Great Depression.

3.  Always contains a Morally questionable
protagonist, that is not portrayed in a
sympathetic light.
 Stories about crime; ever from perspective of
criminal or investigator.
 Specific visual style characterised by low
lighting, deep shadow, obscuring camera
angles.

4.  Normally filmed in gangster related places:
bars, alleyways.
 “femme fatale”- mysterious, seductive love
interest who leads protagonist into
compromising positions.
 Normally filmed in black and white.
 Lots of use of alcohol, drugs and cigarettes.

5.  Male characters normally seen wearing suit and bowler
hat.
 Items stereotypical to female characters are floppy hats,
elbow length gloves and lots of makeup: mascara and
lipstick. Normally smoke with cigarette holders.


6.  Scarface (1983)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pQQHnqBa2E
 Sunset Boulevard (1950)
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3P0Zpe-2og
 The Third Man (1949)
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjMDg1Z9_gA
 Double Indemnity (1944)
 The Maltese Falcon (1941)

7.  Double Indemnity (1944)
 The Maltese Falcon (1941)