2. Chiaroscuro Lighting
• This was originally used in Noir films as it heightens the contrast of
light in shots thus heightening the contrast. However in modern day
neo-noir films there is not much need for this style of lighting as they
can just heighten the contrast by increasing the saturation.
This is seen in ‘Manhunter’ (1986)
directed by Michael Mann
3. Obscured scenes
• This is a convention that is take from its predecessor genre; ‘Noir’ as it
is used to add mystery to the film and noir and neo-noir films both
include lots of mystery. This is mainly done using smoke, rain, fog and
another character in the front of the frame.
This frame is from Sin City (2005)
directed by Frank Miller.
4. Cynical World Weary Protagonists
• This is seen in basically all neo-noir films and it links to the fact that
there is lots of crime and disequilibrium in many of the films hence
why the protagonist would be described as world weary.
An example of this is the character of Brendan in the film; Brick (2005)
directed by Rian Johnson.
5. False Accusations and Betrayal
• This is a vital convention to the plot of neo-noir films as without this
there would be no mystery to the story line which is something that
an audience expects to see when they buy a ticket to a noir film.
An example of this is in Blade Runner (1982) directed by Ridley Scott.
6. Femme Fatale
• The character type of a Femme Fatale is another convention that also
was seen in Noir films. However in neo-noir films they are portrayed
so that the audience feel sympathy for them, quite different to noir
films. This draws a fine line between a damsel in distress and a
femme fatale.
• An example of this is the character
of Mia Wallis in Pulp Fiction (1994)
directed by Quentin Tarrintino.
7. Complex plots and Analepsis
• This is integral to the story line as the idea of flashbacks gives the
story the ability to be complex and interesting. This is henceforth why
it links to the idea of having a complex plot.
• Flash backs of analepsis are seen in the beginning section of the Rian
Johnson film; Brick (2005) meaning for quite a while of the film the
audience is unsure of the storyline adding to the mystery of the piece.
8. Water and Reflections
• This is a classic convention as it allows the idea of misunderstanding
and obscured images it also creates a dreamlike state so the audience
are unsure as to what it actually happening and what is just an
illusion.
• This is scene in Brick (2005) and is even
Shown on the poster showing how
Integral it is to the plot.
9. Protagonist Personal Code
• This is something that is scene in majority of films however in neo-noir
films the protagonist personal code is often messed up and not
morally correct. This means that they are trying to so something right
but they don’t mind doing morally incorrect things in order to allow
them to complete their task.
• This is seen in Martin Scorsese's film Taxi Driver (1976)
10. Eroticism and Sexuality
• This is a representation that is something that has evolved a lot from
the classic noir genre. It is seen in many of the neo-noir films which
may be used to entice a wider variety of audiences.
• This is seen in the film ‘Black Swan’ (2000)
11. First Person voice over Narration
• This is seen in many of the neo-noir films but it is also a convention
that has been carried on from the classic noir genre. One example of
where it is seen in in the very popular film; ‘Double Indemnity’.
• It is seen in the film ‘Brick’ (2005)
12. Unreliable Narrator
• This links to the voice over and the personal codes of the protagonist
as because the narrator is confused and making difficult and
sometimes not morally correct decisions then this makes the
narration of the piece unreliable.
• Seen in Nolans film ‘Momento’ (2000)
13. Crime and Violence
• This is something that is seen in a lot of varying genres in many
different films as many would argue that crime and violence are what
makes a film exciting and interesting.
• This is seen in majority of Neo-noir films so I don’t have a specific
example.
14. Dutch Angles and Inert Frames
• This technique is used to add interest and mystery to the film so it is
seen in a lot of films. It mainly consists of odd angles.
• This is seen in ‘Dark Knight’
15. Urban Settings
• This is another convention that is seen in many films as well as the
genres predecessor Film noir it is seen in basically all of the noir films
so if it is not seen the film would be going against convention.
• Seen in ‘Taxi Driver’
16. Long Tracking Shots and Deep Focus
• I believe that this is used to add mystery and allow the audience to
not completely understand what is going on. It is continuing the
legacy of Orson Wells.
• The most famous perhaps being the 6 minute long tracking shot seen
in the HBO series True Detective.
17. Bars, Diagonals and Frames within Frames
• This is something that is directly linked to the genre of Film Noir and it
was used constantly in those films to add mystery and as they didn’t
have great special effects they would actually use venetian blinds to
create the bars of light.
