Lecture Notes on Film Noir Conventions

Overview

• Film noir is characterized by its dark mise-en-scène, reflecting the post-WWII mood in America.
• Primarily shot in black and white due to cost and stylistic reasons.
• Urban settings are common, highlighting social and class tensions.

Cinematography and Lighting

• Black and White Cinematography: Essential for creating the noir feel.
  • Color was available but costly, reserved for special genres.
• Lighting Techniques:
  • High contrast lighting with deep shadows and bright light emphasizes moral implications.
  • Low contrast lighting makes figures blend into darkness, adding suspense.
  • Night scenes and dimly lit interiors are prevalent.
  • Use of shadows (e.g., Venetian blinds) suggests entrapment.

Setting and Atmosphere

• Locations alternate between inner-city streets and wealthy suburbs.
• Interiors, especially crime scenes, reflect character values and social class.
  • Example: Nick's diner in "The Postman Always Rings Twice" suggests his ambitions but contrasts with Cora's disdain.
• Props, like the "Man Wanted" sign, carry deeper symbolic meanings.

Themes and Symbolism

• Inversion of Social Values: Characters often reject traditional roles and norms.
• Water as a Symbol: Represents fluidity, sensuality, and hidden desires.
• Subtext and Suggestion: Uses objects (e.g., lipstick) to hint at themes beneath the surface.

The Male Gaze and Gender Dynamics

• Explored through the lens of Laura Mulvey’s "Visual Pleasures and the Male Gaze."
• Scopophilia and Voyeurism: Viewers experience pleasure from looking and hidden observation.
• Male and Female Looks:
  • Male protagonists control through voyeurism.
  • Female characters, especially femme fatales, are objects of gaze but may manipulate this dynamic.

Character Types and Gender Representation

• Femme Fatale: Represents danger and desire, often punished for her sexuality.
• Narrative Devices:
  • Subjective narration from a protagonist looking back creates a sense of fate.
  • Often associated with themes of "temps perdu," reflecting on an irretrievable past.

Film Narrative and Structure

• Narration: Often from the perspective of an imprisoned protagonist.
  • Example: "The Postman Always Rings Twice" is recounted by Frank from death row.
• Closure and Fatalism: Noir narratives often conclude with a sense of inevitable doom.

Conclusion

• Film noir uniquely blends style, narrative, and thematic depth to reflect post-war societal anxieties and complexities.
• Invites viewers to question surface appearances and delve into deeper psychological and social issues.