characteristics of film Noir

Film noir uses a low key black and white visuals. This type of visual is associated with German expressionism; which is where Film Noirs roots are. The storyline of most film Noirs involves crime; be it murder, gangsters or robbery etc. There is usually also an element of double crossing or revenge in Film Noir.

Characters in a typical film Noir are:

• Femme fetale- a female character that is usually extremely good looking and dressed to kill. These woman usually lead the male characters into danger and double crosses.
• Private eye- These characters are normally the lead in film Noir; they are usually ex policeman, an antihero or washed up.
• less important characters usually include; police, gangsters, henchmen and others associated with the criminal underworld, good or bad.

The film Noir genre uses a variety of editing and camera work techniques. A favorite camera angle of the genre is a Dutch tilt, this is where the camera is tilted to it's side to create diagonal angles to confuse and make the viewer uncomfortable.

Light is also used to good effect in film noir, for example shadows are used to create mystery or conceal certain things or even people from view; a staple of the Noir genre.

History of film noir

Film noir is a genre of film generally set around the criminal underworld and involving some sort of mystery or enigma. The first acknowledged film noir is 'stranger on the third floor' released in 1940, the films new dark and gritty cinematic style set it apart from other crime films. The film noir genre originated from German expressionism and had it's heyday during the 40's and 50's. Film noir in French literally means film black. All these films were black and white and make big use of shadow. Film noir came to Hollywood in the second world war when directors from Europe had to leave their country's.

Famous directors in this genre include Billy wilder, Fritz Lang and Orson Welles.

Maltease Falcon

To find out more about the film Noir genre i decided to watch a film noir classic "The Maltease Falcon", staring Humprhey Bogart and Mary Astor.

Here is the link for the theatrical trailer for the Maltease Falcon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRSCV2qc2IY&feature=related