The Origins of Film Noir

You might wonder when you hear the term Film Noir what exactly it is and where it came from. It is a french term meaning, "Dark Film." When we analyze this specific mode or genre of film you see a lot of interesting things that kind of shocked the American film industry. All of the sudden films began to have more violence, the lighting was very dim or dark, women began to have a different role, everything went from fast talking to very slow, etc. But why? What sequences of events caused the film industry to take such a dramatic turn. One of the biggest factors you have to look at is World War II. Before WWII the US was in a time of peace where the film industry was focused on making things appear like the idealistic society that everybody wanted to see. During and after WWII the people of our country were basically in a widespread adrenaline rush and they wanted to see something new. Film is designed to offer something that people can relate too and what was happening was the film industry was giving the people something to relate too. The awkward camera angles were used to make the good guys look more badass and the bad guys look like they were doing something more creepy and bad than they actually were. The fast talking happy-go-lucky characters were pushed out and the slow talking more intimidating characters where brought in. The lighting went from a passive bright to a more dark and aggressive shade.

America was in a completely different mood and state of mind following the war than we were post war. This new style of film was just what america wanted because we were a more aggressive country a more violent country. Film Noir helped show the fact that not everything is good and bad that sometimes there is good and bad on both sides. It was a direct representation of the state of mind our country was in.