Film Noir emerged in the early 1940s during WWII. It was made by European filmmakers and was influenced by German expressionism and presented a pessimistic outlook due to the brutality of war.
Key Visual Features
Dark/Light - Chiaroscuro lighting - dark
Shadows
Silhouettes
Blinds/Bars
Dutch angles (strange angles)
"Urban"
Other Visual Features
Rain, night, cityscape, smoke, cigarettes, streets, cars, guns, beautiful women, private investigators
Narrative Elements
Flashbacks
Voice-overs (main protagonist) - inner thoughts/feelings
Complicated plots/twists - sudden reverses of fortune - tragic endings
Circular narratives
Network of minor characters
Sharp contrast to other genres of film in Hollywood
Popular
Relatively low budget
