1. History and Elements of
Film Noir
Tess Cetin

2. Origin
• Aesthetics influences by German
Expressionism – 1920’s
• Inspired by American detective and crime
fiction
• Emerged from the time of political instability
(WW2, The Cold War)

3. Characters
• The Detective Anti Hero – Often told in his
perspective
• The Femme Fatale
• Corrupt Police
• Gangsters

4. Visual Style
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Expressionistic Elements
Harsh lighting – Strong shadows
Geometric Architecture
Juxtaposition

5. Technological Advancements After
WW2
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Light Sensitive Film
Location Shooting
Compact Lighting
Studio Systems

6. Iconography
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Smoking
Guns
Silhouettes
Black Hats
Darkness – Fog
Low Lighting
Heavy Jazz music
Warehouses, Alley Ways, Abandoned Streets

7. Themes
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Darkness
Insanity
Greed
Love
Betrayal
Jealousy
Lust
Revenge
Corruption
Murder
Sex
Justice
Fatalism

8. Narrative Devices
• First Person Narrative
• Convoluted Ending
• “Good Cop Bad Cop”

9. Bibliography
• "Film Noir." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Feb.
2014. Web. 01 Mar. 2014.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_noir>.
• "Film Noir | Film Noir: Characteristics." Film Noir | Film
Noir: Characteristics. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.cindytsutsumi.com/wpcontent/downloads/words/Film_Hist_40s_FilmNoir/fn/
fn_c.html>.
• "Film Noir Studies: A Film Noir Glossary." Film Noir
Studies: A Film Noir Glossary. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Mar.
2014.
<http://www.filmnoirstudies.com/glossary/index.asp>.