Conventions of

FILM

NOIR

ICONOGRAPHY

• The typical location of a noir film is normally set in abandoned areas, such as warehouses, alleyways, empty streets etc.

• Darkness, gloom and fog are normally associated with film noir aswell, giving a mysterious and dangerous feeling.

• Costume aspects such as guns, trilby hats, trench coats, smart suits with ties, cigarettes, red lipstick and smart polished shoes are also linked with the noir genre.

• Within the film, the regular use of cantered angles and low lightning add to the gloomy feeling of the noir genre.• Heavy, jazz music is normally used within noir films to give the film an edge of sophistication but mystery aswell.

CHARACTERS

Many different characters take play in the noire genre. The most commonly associated are:• Detective (hard boiled flawed hero)• Femme Fatal• Corrupt Police• Gangsters• Protagonist• Hero's• Criminal (Petty and extreme)• Down and out writer

VISUAL STYLE

Several different styles are used in film noir to add darkness and mystery to the film. These are:• Blocking shot – Normally through shutters/blinds• Low key lightning• Shots through mirrors, frosted glass etc.• Cantered angles, low angles, high angles• Shadows• Darkness• Silhouette• Ominous facial expression

SETTINGS

A major aspect in creating a successful film noir movie is the location in which it is set. Stereotypical noir settings are:• Rural locations e.g. warehouses, factories, refineries,

abandoned buildings• Bars, lounges, clubs• Diners, Gambling dens• Docks, seaside, promenade• Urban locations e.g. L.A, New York, San Francisco• Police station• Alleyways, empty streets

THEMES

The theme of the film sets the movie in motion and allows the audience to grasp what the movie is going to be about. Common themes used in film noir are:• Greed• Love• Betrayal• Jealousy• Lust• Revenge• Corruption• Murder• Sex• Justice

NARRATIVE

The narrative’s of film noir have progressed over the years however, a main occurrence of the same variety always come up. These are:• Voiceover narration• Fast forward and flash back• Elliptical• First person narrative• Convoluted ending• Good Cop, Bad Cop

PROGRESSION OF FILM NOIRHowever, over the years, film noir has progressed to fit the modern society. The classic noir films still remain in the 1950’s but sub-genre’s were created of the film noir genre:• 1960’s onwards Neo-Noir :Shutter Island,

Public Enemies, American Gangster, Smokin’ Aces, The Good German

• Noir Science Fiction: Blade Runner, The Terminator, V for Vendetta, Robocop, Sin City, Watchmen.

• Noir Comedies: The Naked Gun, Zero Effect, Fatal Instinct, The House of Yes, Assassination of a High School President.

• Noir Westerns: Welcome to Hard Times, Cemetery without Crosses, High Plains Drifter.

• Superhero Noir: Kick Ass, Watchmen, Batman, Batman Begins, The Phantom.

• Horror Noir: The Resurrected, Nightmare on Elm Street, Dead of Winter, The Dead Don’t Die.