2. Low camera angle
shows inferior
characters (usually the
femme fatale).
Camera follows the
eye line of characters
(i.e. detective looking
at femme fatale
because of their
attraction to her).
4. One very well known film noir editing
technique is ‘flashbacks’ which are often
presented by the main character
(usually the detective) explaining what
has happened.
5. Macabre non-diegetic music (usually
representing 1940s - 1950s).
Flirtatious language/narrative from the
femme fatale to demonstrate her seductive
and powerful nature over men.
Amplified diegetic sound, often heard from
the gun, punches/hits, etc.
Diegetic voice overs are often found in film
noirs such as in ‘Double Indemnity’ where
Walter Neff talks about Mrs Dietrichson’s
ankle bracelet.
6. Mournful
Tragedy
Deception/Lies
Love
Crime
Corruption
Sexual obsession
Money
Greed
Power
7. Femme Fatale (acts like heroin but is
a sinner)
Hero/detective (troubled by femme
fatale).
Victim (usually disliked or victimised
by the femme fatale, who uses the
detective to help her).
Women in Noir
› The redeemer offers the male protagonist
the potential at domesticity or normality.
› The destroyer places the male protagonist in
a deadly situation, often leading to his
violent death.
8. Film noir is often set out in a first person
narrative where one character tells the
story, and this links in really well with the
flash backs and voice overs.
A man meets a woman who persuades him
to commit a crime through sexual
manipulation. The crime is plotted and
committed. As a consequence the man
and the woman are often killed or
imprisoned.
A dame with a past and a hero with no
future.