Film Noir is a cinematic term used to describe a specific type of film in Hollywood: stylized crime dramas, particularly those that have a mood of pessimism, fatalism and cynical attitudes. The 1940s and 1950s are regarded as the “classic period” of American film noir.
Some examples are=
In a Lonely Place (Nicholas Ray, 1950)
And Double Indemnity (Billy Wilder, 1944)
There is also the “Neo Noir” type of film which contains the visual style and themes of classic film noir but with an added modern sensibility. They also contain graphic displays of violence and sexuality.
Film Noir is a style of film popular in the 1940s-1950s. Noir films are shot in black and white, and have a focus on shadows in the cinematography. The Noir genre focused on plots around hard boiled private detectives, femme fatales, murders and the mafia/gangs.
Night Of The Hunter (1955, Charles Laughton)
Neo Noir
Neo Noir is a modernised version of the Noir style of the 40s with more graphic depictions of violence. It modernises the pessimism and mean nature of the classic Noir style for contemporary audiences
Classic Noir is a style of filmmaking of crime/detective thriller films shot in black and white with a clear use of shadowing, these types of films often create a mood of menace, fatality and suspense backed with a powerful soundtrack. These films were most common between the 1940s to the 1950s.
The Maltese falcon (1941) John Huston
Neo Noirs is, like film noir a style of filmmaking but also included a wider variety of subgenres such as westerns, and science fiction elements to create tech-noirs. These were made after the 1970s. They adapt the visual style and themes of classic noirs but for a more contemporary audience.
film noir: a type of crime film featuring cynical malevolent characters in a sleazy setting and an ominous atmosphere that is conveyed by shadowy photography and foreboding background music
a style or genre of cinematographic film marked by a mood of pessimism, fatalism, and menace. The term was originally applied (by a group of French critics) to American thriller or detective films made in the period 1944–54. It uses shadows to show the contract of good and bad.
Film Noir is stylized Hollywood crime dramas which are shot in block and white and place emphasis on shadows. Themes of these movies often include use flashbacks and intricate plots.
Film noir is a style or genre of cinematographic film marked by a mood of pessimism, fatalism and menace. It is used primarily to describe stylised Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasise cynical attitudes and motivations.
A classical Noir movie example would be : Touch of Evil
A Neo Noir movie example would be : Absence of Malice
Film Noir is a term relating to black and white gangster/crime films that are mostly filmed in the 1940s-1950s, the ‘Golden Age of Hollywood’. They are associated with a low-key, black and white style that has roots in the German Expressionist style.
Film noir: a style of filmmaking with defining characteristics like being in black and white, and high contrast lighting. This genre is commonly stylised crime dramas and gangster films.
1.Why did film makers and producers move to Hollywood?
-The mountains, plains and low land prices made Hollywood a good place to establish film studios.
Name some of the big stars, directors and pictures from the Silent Era of Hollywood?
-Charlie Chaplin
Produced his own films did the sound and sets for them. Charlie did his own stunts as well. Charlie Chaplin was one of the greatest and widely loved silent movie stars. From ‘Easy Street’ to ‘Modern Times’. He also made many of the funniest and most popular films of his time. He was best known for his character, the naive and lovable Little Tramp.
-Clara Bow
Actor- Clara Gordon Bow was an American actress who rose to stardom during the silent film era of the 1920s and successfully made the transition to ‘talkies’ in 1929.
-Douglas Fairbanks
Action hero and he did all his own stunts. Douglas Elton Fairbanks Sr. was an American actor and filmmaker best known for being the first actor to play the masked Vigilante Zorro and other swashbuckling roles in silent films. One of the biggest stars of the silent era, Fairbanks was referred to as ‘The King of Hollywood’.
In what ways were the early Hollywood studio system like a factory or production line or even the Premier League?
-The studio system operated like a factory, with stars, directors, writers, and crew all working under long-term contracts.
Why did the end of the silent era cause problems for some performers working in the film industry?
-Due to the unsuitability of their voice and/or acting abilities with the new medium.
What was happening in America(and around the world) at this time?
In America at the time the country’s wealth doubled from 1920-1929. Although in the 1930s the great depression hit and America suffered its largest struggles it had seen as a nation. World War 1 was also happening. It started in 1914 up until 1918.
Golden Age of Hollywood 1930- 1947
The five big Hollywood studios where – Paramount Pictures, Warner Brothers Studios, MGM, 20th Century Fox and RKO.
