Film noir is a French label on the American film phenomenon. It wasn't until Post-war France that they could see many American films. The French observed the relationship between American movies in the forties and literature called "roman noir", which means dark literature and film noir means black film. The term was not used very much in production and only French critics used it during the noir era. Now the term is used universally but it is still a very much debated topic. Some film critics like Higham, Greenberg and Paul Kerr refer to film noir as a genre, which is classified by its generic conventions and expectations the films arouse. For example film critic; Foster Hirsh indicates that titles in themselves of film noirs can be a "generic identification", which can predict the narrative and fulfil what might be expected of film noir like, violence, crime and sexuality (NB 1.a). However many problems arise, for example genres normally span over periods rather than be influenced by them, as film noir is closely associated with 1940's Hollywood. Film producer; John Hausman predicted that film noir "

Schrader however puts emphasis on film noir as a visual style.. He says film noir is characterised by "mood" and "tone"(1.c). Watching film noirs, I have noticed some elements which they all have in common. One of the techniques used is the very low key lighting which obscures the action. The uses of night and shadows is a recurring factor in noir films, emphasising coldness and darkness. In the films, the world often seems like a prison, this is often shown through image metaphors like sun blinds. A lot of use of extreme low and high angle perspectives which serve to create a mood of uneasiness and loneliness in noirs. On the other hand, critics say even though many films which are classed as noirs display many of these noir techniques, they are not subversive of traditional Hollywood style, but are simply there because they are an essential part of the narrative and story, as Foster Hirsch suggests(NB 1.d). Film noir critics like Janey Pace and Robert Profirio, describe film noir as a movement where filmmakers shared similar ideas and goals. They can also be seen as a cycle of recurring themes, motifs and characters in the "crime film". The problem with this notion is that it is sometimes difficult to determine as there are so many sub- genres like the mystery, the thriller or the gangster film(NB 1.e).

Generally, in film noir there are two typical female characters in noirs; the sexual and active spider woman and the maternal virgin. The femme fatale of the film uses her sexual attractiveness and cold-blooded cunningness to manipulate men in order to gain power, independence or money. She rejects the conventional roles of a devoted and loving mother and wife which mainstream society enforces for women, and in the end her violation of the social and traditional norms leads to her own destruction and of the men that are attracted to her.

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Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)