Film Noir Task

Research on Film Noir:

Film Noir was most popular during the 1930’s and 1940’s which was most famous for the low – key lighting and obviously black and white film. Many of these texts were associated with crime, mystery and coded romance; perhaps these types of movies were so popular during this era because of the Depression that had struck the USA with problems with the government, economy and the citizens. These different genres were shown through the use of the low-key lighting that highlights certain features of the frame; for example in the film Fallen Angel (1945) there is use of low- key top lighting when the character Stella enters the room, which highlights her features in the shot. 

This is a clear example of a coded sexual romance that Stella was trying to evoke with the men in the text this character fits the characteristics of a femme fatale which was common in most film noir movies. Other typical characters that are shown in Film Noir movies are the Dumb Blond character (which is also shown in the Fallen Angel as the protagonist, Stanton, marries the oblivious blond June for her wealth), the Innocent Man (which is usually mislead by the femme fatale into doing as she pleases). The Dumb Blond shown in the Fallen Angel, June, is shown with high-key lighting and filler lights to appear as the innocent character and fit the stereotype of a dumb blonde this creates empathy for the character as there is foreshadowing that the character will be going through emotional pain. 

The Lighting can also effect the setting, during the text when there is a crime scene there is use of low-key and back lighting which would create a mysterious, cynical setting; for romantic texts there is also use of low-key lighting and filler light to project exaggerated shadows and to add intensity to the emotions portrayed in the shots. 

Still Image: Fallen Angel (1945)

The low-key lighting and the key light shows the character Stella eyes in this shot as dark which connotes the fact that she is a deceptive woman in the film. The key light is used to highlight her figure as she is shown to be the most attractive woman in her town. The shadows created in the still image are all behind Stella which shows the audience that she is the main focus throughout the film. In the film Linda Darnell plays the role of a typical femme fatale and as we see in this shot the position of Darnell shows that she is self-centred as she expects men to be sympathising with her and only paying attention to her.

Short extract: Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005)

This extract is from a neo-noir film based on the media during the 1950's which showed the length at which the American journalists were willing to go to in order for there to be justice in the country. The low-key lighting and top lighting in this extract draws the attention to the actor's, David Strathairn, speech and emotion as he is determined for the justice in the U.S. this creates a moving atmosphere as the innocent man tries to show mercy on the citizens that were being publicly bullied by Joseph McCarthy. The exaggerated shadows created in the extract connote tension not only between the character of Edward R. Murrow but between the people sitting down and listening to his speech.