Video Essay Script and Annotated Bib

Narrator:

Through this video essay, we will dive deeper into the significance of the city as a symbol in film noir and how its features contribute to the overall atmosphere. We will also examine the role of lighting and shadows in creating a sense of moral ambiguity, isolation, and despair. Additionally, we will analyze how urban landscapes and architecture create a sense of disorientation for the characters and how it is reflected in the use of camera angles and shot compositions.

Finally, we will discuss the influence of German expressionism on the visual style and themes of film noir, as well as how it has impacted the genre. Through a close analysis of key films such as The Maltese Falcon, Double Indemnity, Blade Runner, Touch of Evil, and Scarlet Street, we will explore the techniques filmmakers use to create a truly unique and captivating visual experience.

Section 1

Narrator:

Film noir emerged in the 1940s and 1950s as a genre that captured the gritty, disillusioned, and morally ambiguous mood of post-war America. The genre drew inspiration from the urbanization and modernization of American society, as cities began to grow and transform in unprecedented ways. The city became a key symbol in Noir, representing the danger, and corruption of modern life.

As a symbol, the city in noir emphasizes specific features that contribute to its overall atmosphere. Streets are dark, dirty, and like a maze, while buildings are tall and shadowy. Urban spaces in Noir are often portrayed as isolating, claustrophobic, and overwhelming. These features create a sense of disorientation and unease, contributing to the overall mood of moral ambiguity and despair.

Characters in Noir interact with the urban environment in complex ways, reflecting the moral ambiguity of their surroundings. In films like “The Maltese Falcon” and “Double Indemnity” Characters navigate the urban landscape with suspicion and paranoia, reflecting the pervasive sense of danger and corruption that defines the genre. Urban spaces are often used to create tension and suspense, as characters become lost in the city’s streets, or chased down shadowy alleyways.

The role of urban landscapes and architecture in creating a sense of disorientation is reflected in the use of camera angles and shot compositions. Low-angle shots of towering buildings emphasize the sense of powerlessness and vulnerability that characters experience in the urban environment. Wide-angle shots of bustling city streets create a sense of chaos and confusion, further contributing to the mood of moral ambiguity and despair.

** a technique used in creating disorientation is known as the Dutch Angle, dutch angle shots are often used to portray a sense of unease or madness that the character is feeling. Oftentimes this technique results in a tilted horizon in the frame.  (“setting up your shots” – Jeremy Vineyard)

One of the most influential urban settings in Film Noir is Los Angeles. The city and its surrounding suburbs served as a backdrop for many classic film noirs, including “Double Indemnity” and “touch of Evil”. Los Angeles offered filmmakers a unique urban landscape to explore with its blend of suburban buildings, industrial zones, and glamorous Hollywood Neighborhoods.

As Robert G Porfirio notes in: “No way out: existential motifs in the film noir, The city in noir is not just a backdrop, but an integral part of the genres themes and aesthetics. By emphasizing the moral ambiguity, isolation, and existential despair of its characters and the world they inhabit, Noir”s urban setting becomes a powerful symbol of modern life’s complexity and uncertainty.

Section 2:

In film noir, the use of light and shadow is a crucial component that emphasizes the moral ambiguity, isolation, and existential despair of its characters and the world they inhabit. The contrast between the bright city lights and the dark, uneasy backstreets creates a stark visual contrast that symbolizes the struggle between good and evil.

Raymond Borde and Etienne Chaumeton, in their essay “Towards a Definition of Film Noir,” argue that the use of light and shadow is fundamental to the visual style of film noir. They note that the low-key lighting, with a predominance of dark areas, creates a sense of unease and mystery that is key to the genre. Filmmakers use shadows to hide things from the viewer, such as the faces of characters or the environment around them. In this way, the shadow becomes a symbol of the unknown, the hidden, and the dangerous.

*insert clip from Kiss me deadly: This can be seen in the very first scene of the film noir: Kiss Me deadly. The heavy dark streets illuminated by her running legs creates a sense of mystery and unease for the viewer. What is she running from?

Janey Place and Lowell Peterson, in “Some Visual Motifs of Film Noir,” highlight the importance of light and shadow in conveying the psychological state of the characters. They note that the use of chiaroscuro lighting creates a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty that reflects the mental state of the characters. By playing with the contrast between light and shadow, filmmakers can convey the psychological turmoil of their characters.

Filmmakers use lighting and shadows to create a sense of isolation and despair. High contrast lighting, with deep blacks and bright whites, is a hallmark of German Expressionism, which greatly influenced the visual style of film noir. This technique emphasizes the shadows and creates a sense of unease and disorientation, as the viewer is unsure of what lurks in the darkness.

*Take a look at writer, Matt Millikan, on his published article over the influence of German Expressionism in horror and film noir. 

The article discusses the work of Fritz Lange. German Expressionism was known for its surreal atmospheres, chiarsocuro lighting, grotesque characters, and nightmare sets. 

The motion picture portrays a sense of realism, with a distorted lense, that illuminates the subconscious feelings, thoughts, and ideas.

The use of light and shadow is fundamental to the visual style of film noir. By playing with the contrast between the lights and dark, filmmakers can create a sense of moral ambiguity, isolation, and existential despair. This effect is achieved through the use of high contrast lighting, deep shadows, and the imposing urban environment.

Conclusion

Narrator:

In conclusion, film noir utilizes the urban setting and contrast between lighting and shadows to convey the moral ambiguity, isolation, and existential despair of its characters and the world they inhabit. Throughout the mid-20th century, film noir emerged as a response to the urbanization and modernization of American society. Its visual style and thematic motifs, including the use of shadows, isolation and existential despair, urban decay, and camera angles, reflected the disorienting and bleak nature of the city in this era.

The use of lighting and shadows is a crucial element in conveying the morally ambiguous nature of the characters and their world. The contrast between the lights and dark, creates an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty that permeates throughout the film. German Expressionism played a significant role in the development of this visual style, influencing lighting and the use of shadows to create a sense of foreboding and doom.

The impact of film noir can still be seen in modern-day film, particularly in the neo-noir genre. Films such as Blade Runner, Joker, and The Dark Knight continue to use the visual and thematic motifs of film noir, but they also adapt them to the modern world. The city remains a symbol of corruption and decay, and the use of shadows and lighting continues to convey the moral ambiguity of the characters and their world.

Film noir remains a significant influence on the film industry today, and its use of the urban setting and contrast between lighting and shadows continues to be a powerful tool for conveying complex and nuanced themes. Through its visual style and thematic motifs, film noir captures the mood and spirit of a particular moment in American history and continues to fascinate and intrigue audiences to this day.

Annotated Bibliography.

1. Borde, Raymond and Etienne Chaumeton. “Towards a Definition of Film Noir.” Film Noir Reader, edited by Alain Silver and James Ursini, Limelight Editions, 1996
   • This essay is useful to the argument as it provides a foundation for understanding the genre of film noir and its characteristics. It offers insight into how the genre evolved and how filmmakers utilized certain techniques to create the distinctive and powerful cinematic experience that is film noir, this was obtained through our course documents.
2. Christopher, Nicholas. “Chapter One: Into the Labyrinth.” Somewhere in the Night: Film Noir and the American City, Free Press, 1997,
   • It is a valuable resource for understanding the historical and cultural context of film noir, as well as the visual techniques used by filmmakers to convey themes of moral ambiguity, isolation, and existential despair. The book explores the genre’s relationship to urban environments and the influence of German Expressionism on its visual style. This is a course document.
3. Chiland, Elijah. “How the LA Landscape Shaped Film Noir.” Curbed, Los Angeles, 5 Dec. 2018, www.la.curbed.com/2018/12/5/18127603/los-angeles-film-noir-locations.
   • a. I accessed this source by conducting a Google search using keywords related to the influence of urbanization on film noir. I selected this source because it provides a detailed examination of the impact of Los Angeles on the development of the film noir genre.
4. The Urban and the Domestic: Spaces “The Urban and the Domestic: Spaces.” Film Noir Foundation, http://www.filmnoirfoundation.org/noirguide.html.
   • I accessed this source through a Google search for film noir resources, and it appears to be a comprehensive guide to the genre’s key elements and themes. The section on “Spaces” could be particularly useful to my argument, as it explores the urban and domestic spaces depicted in film noir and how they contribute to the genre’s overall tone and atmosphere.
5. Porfirio, Robert G. “No Way Out: Existential Motifs in the Film Noir.” Film Noir Reader, edited by Alain Silver and James Ursini, Limelight Editions, 1996,
   • This source was assigned as part of the required readings for the course. It provides an in-depth analysis of existential motifs in film noir, such as the sense of entrapment and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world. I think it could be useful in supporting my argument about the themes of isolation and despair in film noir. This is a course reading.
6. Place, Janey, and Lowell Peterson. “Some Visual Motifs of Film Noir.” Film Noir Reader, edited by Alain Silver and James Ursini, Limelight Editions, 1996,
   • The article explores some of the key visual motifs in film noir, including lighting and camera techniques, and how these techniques are used to create a sense of tension, ambiguity, and unease. It provides a useful framework for analyzing the visual elements of film noir and how they contribute to the genre’s themes and mood. This is a course reading.
7. The Maltese Falcon. Directed by John Huston, performances by Humphrey Bogart and Mary Astor, Warner Bros., 1941.
   • It is useful to my argument because it showcases the use of shadow and lighting to convey moral ambiguity and isolation, as well as the urban setting that is a common feature of the genre. To acquire a copy of The Maltese Falcon, I would look for a high-quality version on a streaming service such as Netflix or Amazon Prime, or I could purchase a DVD or Blu-ray copy online.
8. Double Indemnity. Directed by Billy Wilder, performances by Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck, Paramount Pictures, 1944
   • it serves as an important example of the genre’s use of light and shadow, as well as its exploration of moral ambiguity and existential despair. A high-definition version of Double Indemnity can be acquired through various streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, iTunes, and Vudu. It may also be available in DVD or Blu-ray format for purchase or rental at a local video store or online retailer.
9. Blade Runner. Directed by Ridley Scott, performances by Harrison Ford and Rutger Hauer, Warner Bros., 1982.
   • a classic science fiction film that is considered by many to be a neo-noir due to its bleak and dystopian atmosphere, use of chiaroscuro lighting, and morally ambiguous characters. As a widely recognized example of the genre, it is a valuable source for analyzing the visual techniques used in film noir and their influence on other genres. To acquire a copy of Blade Runner for editing, I would search for the film on DVD or Blu-ray through online retailers such as Amazon
10. Touch of Evil. Directed by Orson Welles, performances by Charlton Heston and Janet Leigh, Universal Pictures, 1958
    • I think it is a useful source because it is a classic film noir that showcases many of the genre’s visual motifs and themes. In particular, it features striking use of light and shadow and an urban setting that contributes to a sense of moral ambiguity and existential despair. Touch of Evil is available on DVD and Blu-ray, and can be purchased or rented through various online retailers. It can also be found in some libraries or rented from video rental stores.
11. Scarlet Street. Directed by Fritz Lang, performances by Edward G. Robinson and Joan Bennett, Universal Pictures, 1945.
    • It could be useful to my argument in demonstrating the visual motifs and themes that are prevalent in the genre, such as the use of shadows and urban settings, as well as the existential despair that often pervades these films. A copy of Scarlet Street could be acquired through various means, such as purchasing a physical copy of the film on DVD or Blu-ray from a retailer,
12. “Joker.” Directed by Todd Phillips, performances by Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, and Zazie Beetz, Warner Bros., 2019.
    • I believe this film can be useful to my argument because it uses elements of film noir, such as an urban setting and the protagonist’s descent into darkness and moral ambiguity, to create a unique and disturbing cinematic experience. One option for acquiring a copy of “Joker” for editing purposes would be to purchase the film on a DVD or Blu-Ray disc. Another option would be to rent or purchase a digital copy from a reputable online retailer such as Amazon or iTunes.
13. The Dark Knight. Directed by Christopher Nolan, performances by Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Warner Bros. Pictures, 2008.
    • it has elements of film noir, such as the use of urban settings and moral ambiguity, which aligns with my thesis statement. I think it could be useful to my argument as an example of how the film noir genre has influenced modern cinema. To acquire a copy of The Dark Knight for editing purposes, one option would be to purchase a physical DVD or Blu-ray copy of the film. It is also possible to rent or purchase the film digitally through various streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, iTunes.