Further Film Noir Introduction

Film Noir literally translates as ‘black film’ . Initially developed by French Film Critics, first notably by Nino Frank in 1946. They noticed the recurring dark, drab and downbeat stylised American crime and detective thrillers during that era, especially following the War. There was a wide range of films which reflected tensions, issues and unresolved conflicts, which also inevitably effected the previous optimism of Hollywood’s musicals.

There are many recurring noticeable narrative themes which were clearly represented in Film Noir’s such as fear, paranoia and despair. Original Film Noir’s similarly reflect the Cold War, where threats of annihilation were ever present, making clear appearances within.

In Film Noirs, on rare occasions, the endings are optimistic. This is due to the perspectives of the anti-heroes, which imply from the outset that everyone is doomed to death. Their ideals are of a criminal nature, with strong implications of greed. They themselves exist within the Film Noir as strong metaphors for the society (at the time) and it’s evils. These evils coincided with a strong undercurrent of moral conflict and commonly injustice.

  

“Classic” Film Noir prominently was crafted during and after World War II, often including the post-war impressions of anxiety and pessimism. Classically styled in black and white, this relates to the time period, evolving primarily in the 1940s. It rapidly became a prominent mood and style of film and lasted in the notable “Golden Age” until around 1960.

Film Noir is not classified as a type of genre, but more a style and mood of film. Often, it has been noted that ‘film noir’ refers to a distinct historical period i.e. the decade of film making after World War II.

The first classified Film Noir films weren’t immediately known to be labelled as that genre. The producers who made Film Noirs, didn’t use the label as such would for ‘Western’, as they weren’t aware that their films were that particular style.

The main plot of a majority of Film Noirs, revolves around a sinister detective on the brink of corruption, who has little to none will power, and is consequently seduced by the illusive Femme Fatale, with a murder/robbery/ crime of some sort in the middle. As women during the war period were given independence and better job power, they would suffer (on screen) in these films, classed as Film Noirs.