JH: Film Noir Conventions

JH: Film Noir Conventions:

• These films emphasize moral ambiguity and sexual motivation
• Film Noir is often described as essentially pessimistic
• Film Noir is associated with the American social landscape of the era
• Film Noir tends to use low-key lighting schemes producing stark light contrasts and shadowing patterns.
• Film Noir is also known for its use of Dutch angles, low-angle shots and wide angle lenses.
• Disorientation of the footage is popular, for example, shots through frosted glass etc.
• Incorporates unusually convoluted story lines, frequently involving flashbacks and flash-forwards.
• 'The femme fatale, or spider woman is noted for her changeability and treachery.  She is filmed for her sexuality, introductory shots catch the hero’s gaze, frequently place her at an angle above the onlooker, costume emphasizing sexuality.  She is often presented as empowered, however rarely ‘survives’ at the end of the film.  Visual motifs associated with the femme fatale include cigarettes with wispy trails of smoke – cues for dark and immoral sensuality and guns – ‘unnatural phallic power'.'