History of Film Noir

AS media: Noir research work 1
Film noir or "black film", the term originated from France and is used to describe a certain genre of film. The term was coined by a French critic named Nino Frink. Film Noir was at its prime between the 1940’s and 1960’s. The idea of this new style of film drew in large audiences intrigued by this new film style.
Some key things that may have inspired the creation of film noir are: pressures of WW2, which may have inspired certain directors to create this new darker and shadowy style of film, the change in lifestyle at the time. People were experiencing a whole new life with resources low at home due to soldiers needing it abroad and personal experience such as heartbreak, which would cause such a dark view of some of the women/men in Film Noir.
Some directors associated with Film Noir are Fritz Lang, F.W Muranau, G.W Pabst and Robert Wiene. These are only a select few. Many European directors a renowned for their additions to Film Noir. Though they are not as well recognized as some of the larger and better-respected American directors.
Film Noir is largely considered to be a genre. This is because it had such a new style to all previous films, that it was then considered as a whole new type of film. However, some people believe that Film Noir is not a new genre and is closely related to romance or detective/crime films.
The style of Film Noir was greatly influenced by budgeting and the technology available at the time. Directors us of lighting had a huge impact on Film Noir as the mood had to be represented. For example a murder has taken place and it is a dark time so the light levels would be low and the camera would focus mainly on tension spots. Budgeting would effect Film Noir as well because of the equipment used would be of a lower quality to a bigger movie due to lower budgets which the director would have to make up for using whatever resources he had.
Film Noir was seen as a B movie. This was because of the lower budgets, which obviously had a knock on effect to the genres quality. Although, people still enjoyed the films because of the new styles and stories entailed.
The use of new camera angles and sound combinations with lighting made it possible for noir directors to create something new and truly special. This is what changed these films from your average romance or crime film. Although the stories were always different they usually share the same sort of events and character backgrounds.
Neo Noir is the term given to a modern film, which tries to incorporate features of Film Noir into a new film. For example the use of lighting and other features to create the same effects.
A film Noir is traditionally based around a male character who encounters a seductive female or "femme fatale" who then seduces him but turns out to be corrupting the male character. It also usually includes a murder which then sparks the meeting of the main character, usually a detective or crime specialist, to meet the female and the events then unfold as the story goes on. Such films are: The Maltese Falcon, Murder my sweet and Double indemnity.
Film Noir uses Mise-En-Scène to create a certain atmosphere. It will use a certain amount of light to let the emotions and feelings of the characters fill the room. Also the use of dark and large costumes, perhaps to hide the characters and in a metaphor hide their feelings and emotions. However the female characters are usually exposed or in tighter costumes to draw the men’s attention to this type of character.
Film Noir was quite widely produced in Germany and France, so many of them would have had to been voiced over. Suspense music was used in many of the films and also, on occasion, romantic music was played. Quite often the music would be used to represent the mood, which mainly was dark and shadowy.
Film Noir mainly used high angled camera shots focusing on the higher areas of the body. Obviously this would change at times. They would also include wide shots to show everything important, Pans, tilts, trackings and many other shots. Quite often it would contain many close ups and focus on one point of interest.
Flashbacks are used to great effect in Film Noir. Characters going back over previous encounters/ events in the films or over their lives. These will always heave great relevance to the story and will usually display a key event. Special effects are not really used in Film Noir, the use of guns, bullet wounds, car crashes, dead bodies or dreams are the main uses for special effects in Film Noir.
Overall Film Noir is a certain style of Film, which usually entails a man and woman relationship, mainly complicated, the events are usually dark and the style of the film is shadowy.