Question : What are the differences (and, therefore, similarities) between film noir and western film? What, then, is the unique blend between them and how can we define it?
The subjects I would like to conduct research on in order to support my question is common film components and themes in the noir and western, and some research on that but applied to the western-noir. But most emphasis is on the first two. The course readings most likely to help me in terms of film noir are the readings on corruption in the city and especially film elements in noir that are commonly seen (camera angles, lighting etc.). I intend to use, from the course, Concrete Jungle to further my argument from the film noir side of things. I have not yet determined what western and western-noir I’d like to use, although we have been provided some western-noirs on the syllabus.
I would be very interested in learning more about your thesis. I feel like there is a lot of media out there to gather evidence from. I definitely recommend watching No Country for Old Men and using Dickos articles.
For your proposal, I find it fairly interesting. This comparison between films noirs and westerns seem to have some depth to look into and analyze; maybe you’d be able to find some similarities between the two “genres”, I think it’ll be a great topic to delve into.
Your selection for topic/subject is excellent. Looking into the themes and components of such films.
Your helpful readings could be fleshed out a tad bit more. You only listed the one about the corruption of the city, but I feel that the first reading on noir itself could be a useful source to utilize for your topic in comparison and contrast.
For your films selected, I think Concrete Jungle is a fine choice. You did however list that you’re still pondering on what western/western noirs you wanted to use. Might I suggest No Country For Old Men for starters?
Being that these are two things I generally wouldn’t rope (haha, like western, get it) together, but are two genres (I know we hesitate to call film noir a genre) that I love, this would be really interesting to see. I also think it’d be really cool for you to use a John Wayne film to compare to a film noir film. You could use “Silver Evidence…Style” for a reading to reference since it talks heavily of how a film noir is the way it is, which would be great for a foundational base for your argument.
love this topic, I’m also writing about western noir, it feels close to home with us living in texas and all… If your looking for a film to represent the classic western “a fist full of Dollars” is a super fun watch and might help you identify some of the similarities throughout the film that it shares with noir. I think it would also be good for you to look at some specific character tropes because I always felt the protagonists of the western were similar to those used in noir
Theres definitely something to be found here. To me personally, western and noir seem like cousins of each other in the genre market. I look forward to seeing how you go about it.
Since I know you took Erin’s genre class, I think you should try to hone in on more aspects of the genre between the two, if you’re of the mind that noir is more genre then style.. You’ve mentioned a couple of the shared elements already, but I think theres even more to be discussed, such as the natures between the “cowboy/lone ranger” archetype in westerns and the “detective” archetype in noir, for example. Basically, address all the facets of what makes a genre a genre and compare how the two interact/juxtapose at each stage. As for a film, maybe something like The Magnificent Seven (one I believe you’ve watched) would be a recommendation from me.
I really like your proposal because I am quite unfamiliar with the western genre. I believe your project would educate me well on western elements and how they are similar with the elements of noir. You also mentioned western-noir, in which before taking this class, i have never heard of, it is a chance to explore possibilities of noir and get even more fine-lined on what truly separates it from other genres. I really like how you chose to use concrete jungle , and readings such as corruption in the city because i believe that is also an element found in western film, the dark western saloon vibe does sort of speak noir. Im not sure of any possible films to add to this, maybe Hateful Eight by Tarantino. For readings, I think adding in one that describes neo-noir could be a good bridge on how noir can span across different genres.