Film Noir

• Film Noir, French for ‘Black Film’, is a dark based film usually associated with Crime or Suspense themes
• Most Film Noir films are black and white but they can be coloured. These are called ‘Neo Noir’.
• Usually has a dark feel and hardly ever has a typical happy ending.
• Characterised by low-key lighting (maybe one light and a reflector), a bleak urban setting, and corrupt, cynical characters
• Type of characters involved with this genre are: Gangster, detective, good/bad cops, flawed heroes (main male), femme fatal- fatal women who is beautiful but manipulative and bad, beautiful distressed women (romantic interest), victim.
• Settings involved with this genre are: deserted streets, bars, foggy piers, alleyways of cities etc.
• Props or common features in a film noir are: cigarettes, alcohol, guns, get-away cars, police sirens, silent corridors, hidden secrets, mysteries.