Question: For my video essay I have chosen to focus on the explicitly violent nature of neo noir films. Why have such graphic representations of violence become such a staple across neo noir films? And why does it continue to become shown more frequently rather than resorting to the suggestive methods that early noir films employed? Also how have the representation methods developed over time.
Topics/ subjects: I feel like I touched on that with my question. I’ll be looking into how the violent nature of specifically neo noir films has continued to evolve, and why that is. As well as, how have the suggestive methods that our early regular noir films been phased out in exchange for these very explicit and provoking depictions.
Course readings: Dickos Women in noir, as it speaks on how femme fatales use violence to essentially attain their big goal. typically is how they remove the man standing in their way. Silver Kiss Me Deadly style reading also has some excerpts about violent nature of noir films that could be useful as well. Dickos’ Neo Noir with more than likely be the most helpful reading as it sort of compares violent styles of classic noir and neo noir and kind of dissects both.
Films: Pulp Fiction is the first film that immediately comes to mind. John Wick is another fairly popular film that would be of great assistance for this project. And many other recent films considered neo noir such as the newest batman film along with films like uncut gems and american gangster.
For your proposal, This selected topic is interesting and something I’ve wondered myself. This gradual allowance of more and more violence in these films.
Your selection for topic/subject makes sense. I feel like this portion, it should be cut and dry and be a part of your proposal, which it is, so you’re good.
Your helpful readings seem to be skillfully chosen, with three strong choices with how you can utilize them.
For your films selected, perfect. Pulp Fiction is an excellent choice. John Wick has the violence, but I’ve never seen it considered as a neo-noir; I’d like to see how it is one.
This seems like an interesting idea, it will be cool to see how our society might have changed how we view violence in movies over time. Also do not forget to mention the hayes code!
What is your main research question? It’s hard to tell. Also, would you intend to look into postmodernism as a genre? People tend to associate “unnecessary” or “excessive” violence with postmodernism. You go down two paths in this proposal. Are you looking at femme fatale characters who use violence, or just violence in neo-noir? You have good ideas for exploration here it’s just a little unclear as to where you’re headed.
This is such a cool video essay proposal! I think this could be really good. I would definitely be interested to learn more. I do think with the reading you’ve picked out that you want to be careful for your video essay not to cross into the line of being about violence and femme fatales if you’re more wanting to focus on the depiction of violence itself, because I think that’s a really unique standpoint. I think good film inclusions would be, like you said, scenes of suggestion versus scenes of blatant violence. I can totally image you having two scenes side by side to showcase this.
I really like this topic! A true staple of film noir, so there’s definitely plenty to talk about. I would maybe also include Christopher’s Into the Labrynth for some extra context. I like the films you’ve chosen.
I already commented on this but I’m going to comment again because I thought of a film that would be a great addition to your argument. The Nightingale (2018) is an incredibly graphic and horrendous watch for its blatant violence, and it acts as a perfect example for the violence you’re trying to emphasize. This topic interests me so much because I also wonder why violence has to be portrayed to SUCH an extent, It genuinely makes me angry sometimes because the stories shown effect me so much. One aspect you didn’t mention that might be interesting is if the use of violence taints the ‘genre’ as we know it or only adds to its interest.