2. Gender within my two minute opening sequence film noir was represented with two characters.
One was a male detective which was a conventional character. This is because most film noir had male detectives,
protagonists and main characters. During the 1940s and 50s the male gender had much more power in comparison
with females in the society. So within my film noir the male character has a main role and the most important star.
Within the film the detectives role in the opening sequence was that he entered his office and suddenly realizing
that his room is disorganized by someone who had entered.
The other gender that was presented within the opening sequence was the femme fatale. The femme fatales is
an old archetype in film and her role within film noirs is to display her beauty, charm and be seductive.
Around 1940s and 50s the femme fatales are commonly not the main lead within film noir (which the male
detectives are known to be the lead). On the other hand, in modern days femme fatales and any other
female roles are more important in comparison to the past days.
At the start the femme fatale is found sitting down on a chair visible to the audience but the detective only
sees her when she spins around the chair. The character spins around the chair to reveal herself quite
seductively with her legs crossed and delivering her lines sort of sexually (smooth voice).
For the male detective was second to be seen as he walks through the door. The power could be presented
through blocking and their levels as the detective was stood up whereas the femme fatale was sitting
down. Despite the levels, the femme fatale said “looks like you are going to need help with this” showing
that the male detective needs the femme fatale to help her. Which shows that there is not much difference
between power as both genders need each others help.
REPRESENTATION OF GENDER IN THE FILM NOIR
OPENING SEQUENCE
3. The location the film noir was set was in America. Specifically in New York, as
New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles (majority of the time it is located in
a city) were the most common location settings for noir films.
The typical film noir would include abandoned areas, such as warehouses,
alleyways, empty streets and offices for example. Which our film noir was set in a
New York city office.
In our 2 minute opening sequence location was represented through the typical
room layout with bricks on the wall, accents and also the window lights which tried
to represent the city.
REPRESENTATION OF LOCATION IN THE FILM
NOIR OPENING SEQUENCE
4. Age was represented within the 2 minute opening sequence with our professional
actors being around middle aged.
This is because a typical film noir character would not have teenagers that would
be playing the role of the detective and femme fatale (if this did happen this would
be an unconventional film noir). If you watch all the film noirs around 1940s and
50s both the femme fatale and detective are all around middle aged (30+).
REPRESENTATION OF AGE IN THE FILM
NOIR
5. Class is to do with money and what class the characters would belong (upper class,
middle or lower class). Status is to do with the position/rank in the society. Status is
your rank/position in society.
Class is firstly represented through costume. The typical costume for the male
detectives are trench coats, suit and tie and a top hat. The femme fatales costume
was a elegant dress. Secondly, the props could also represent class for example
cigarettes because this showed that they have the money to pay for this. The
detective would belong between the middle or high class because the male
characters job is working as a detective. The femme fatale can be harder to identify
their class but their costume with a dress can show that they are also middle/high
class.
Both characters have high status because the detectives job is
REPRESENTATION OF CLASS &
STATUS IN THE FILM NOIR
6. Ethnicity involves cultural factors and peoples nationality an example is British,
American, Spanish and Indian.
Both the actors were British but playing a role of American characters. Ethnicity
can be identified through accents and certain stereotypical characteristics.
Americans
The ethnicity for the femme fatale is white American and during 1940s and 50s
there were not many other ethnic backgrounds to appear in film noir apart from
white Americans. The femme fatale were almost always white, young/middle aged
American females.
The ethnicity for the detective is white. During 1940s and 50s there were
sometimes racial and discriminating behaviors and common not to have a black
American playing as the role of the detective.
REPRESENTATION OF ETHNICITY IN THE
FILM NOIR
7. We represented our characters in the world of our film noir quite violent. This is because
it is conventional and film noirs include several weapons and other dangerous props.
This is firstly shown at the first camera shot of the close up of a gun. Despite creating
enigma (is someone going to use that gun?), the audience would already know that there
is going to be danger and events to do with violence. Adding to that, my survey monkey
for my target audience had results showing that the audience did want a film noir that
would include death/danger/violence.
The femme fatale character was quite manipulative because of her line “looks like you
are going to need help with this” which can connote that she would help but with a
“catch”. Meaning that the femme fatale would try to get what she wants.
REPRESENTATION OF PEOPLE IN THE
WORLD OF OUR FILM NOIR
8. STEREOTYPES
AND
ANTI-STEREOTYPES
Anti-stereotype
We did not have much anti stereotypes
within our 2 minute opening sequence.
In this opening sequence the female has
more power than the femme fatale
should have. This is because the femme
fatale will help the detective only if she
gets what she wants.
Stereotypes
• The femme fatale is manipulative. This was
shown with her line “looks like you are going to
need help with this” which connotes that she
would help the detective in any way but as long as
she gets what she wants.
• Seductive femme fatale towards the male
detective. This was shown with her tone of voice,
facial expression and costume.
• Male is middle class and formally dressed.
• Typical costume from both characters- Trench
coat, hat and dress.
• Both characters are white which is typical in a film
noir. The femme fatale was also quite beautiful as
she fits the femme fatale role.
