FIST 100 Film Noir In the 1940s, the film genre, film noir, was defined and then redefined by two influential films of the era. Double Indemnity, directed by Billy Wilder in 1944, was paradigmatic for the genre, setting up standards for following film noirs, while Mildred Pierce, directed by Michael Curtiz in 1945, subverted the expectations set by such earlier films. Despite this, the two of them are labelled with the same genre, so one must wonder wherein lies the definition of noir as a mode
The film noir movement was a brief period of post-WWII disillusionment where film style changed dramatically to take on the unstable, lost feeling of people at the time. By examining films of the period, such as Mildred Pierce (Michael Curtiz, 1945) and Double Indemnity (Billy Wilder, 1944), the distinct, dark and dramatic visual style of film noir can be observed. These films not only exemplify the standard conventions of film noir, but Mildred Pierce also deviates enough from the narrative elements
Femme Fatale Film Noir is a period in American cinema history that took Hollywood by storm shortly after World War II. What stands out from this genre is its low-key lighting visuals and stories that revolve around crime and mystery. One of the most notable character archetype is the femme fatale. From Brigid O’Shaunessy in The Maltese Falcon to Phyllis Dietrichson in Double Indemnity, film noir classics have always included the hallmark femme fatale character archetype amongst its other signature
This film was based on the novel of the same name by James M. Cain. The title of the movie comes from the double indemnity clause found in insurance policies. It is a clause that allows the widow to obtain double the money if the person who is on the policy dies from an accidental death. It did not win any Oscars but it was nominated for a few of them. Compared to some of Billy Wilder’s other films that were more successful at the box office and won more awards, this particular film stood the
INTRODUCTION Film noir is a genre of film that blossomed in late 1930s and early 1940s during the wake of World War II. Film noir was popular during the World War II because of its thematic concerns of hopelessness, failure, deceit and betrayal. Film noir is also known as the ‘black cinema’ or ‘dark film’ for its label of the black and white film as the beginning of film noir, which were mostly crime thriller film made between 1940 and 1959 because it shows reality life, for example “ The Maltese
The Portrayal of Film Noir Women In the early 1940’s and during the World War II is when film noir landed in the United States Holly Wood cinemas and it was known for its criticism of political views. As a result of the war and the hardships that people were experiencing from the war, writers started to create films that depicted the United States in a happy and positive way; this was done to keep movie goers from thinking negatively about the war and to come together in hopes of winning it. Also
A Star Returns to Sunset Boulevard Sunset Boulevard is a staple in every Film Noir nerd’s movie collection. Billy Wilder comes back with another smash-hit, giving people everything they love about the Film Noir genre from symbolic lighting to a twisted, yet captivating love story. Sunset Boulevard brings a lot to the table with a great list of actors and cinematic value but also connects with its audience on a deeper level when presenting its hard-hitting themes ranging from the “fakeness” of Hollywood
Cain’s another work Double Identity. Here, Walter Huff is an insurance investigator like any other until the day he meets the beautiful and dangerous Phyllis Nirdlinger and falls under her spell. Together they plot to kill her husband and split the insurance. Another writer Raymond Chandler’s work The Long Goodbye deals about a down-and-out drunk Terry Lennox dying
Twice is a classic film noir that explored how ordinary people can be capable of the darkest crimes lead by uncontrollable passions. Adapted from the 1934 controversial crime novel “The Postman Always Rings Twice” by James M. Cain. A tale of an unhappy married woman who reluctantly falls in love with a drifter, the story follows their destructive relationship as it falls to pieces after they murder her husband. This paper will mainly explore the gender politics concerning the film more specifically