film noir mise en scene

Film NoirMise-en-scene

Lighting Low key lighting is most commonly used (Chiascuro)

It creates a sense of mystery and to accentuate the pessimistic world these films are based around

It is bound by the budget and the accessibility of the equipment actors or sets

They use fog to highlight the silhouette of the character and to show their darker side

Venetian blinds are used to black out part of the face and to show the conflicting battle between good and evil

Location Use urban areas to make it feel more real to the viewer

In dodgy and run down areas to create a sense of danger and wrong-doing, relating to crime

Damp, rainy streets use pathetic fallacy to imply this is a miserable time, and to connote a mirror which hints at someone is watching.

Main themes

Crimeguns, knives, police vs. criminals and the greed of money

Sexfemme fatal, The power of men, sexy costumes and the idea that love is a sick game.

Dystopian worldPeople dying, corrupted cities full of hate, post wall street crash, anti American dream, sinful lives like drinking and smoking