A brief introduction

Ideology in Film Noir

• To understand ideology

• To obtain knowledge of the social / historical context of film noir

• Explore central ideological themes

• To apply obtained knowledge to previous viewings

Objectives

An ideology is a world view, a system of values, attitudes and beliefs which an individual, group or society holds to be true or important; these are shared by a culture or society about how that society should function.

OR IN PLAIN ENGLISH

Ideas, values and beliefs in society, often taken for granted and as ‘commonsense’.

Film noir challenges these

Ideology

Main focus on male protagonists

• Problems of readjustment• Threat of domesticity• Sense of alienation from family, society and its roots• Fear of female economic indepedence

Post World War II America

What is being suggested in this clip?

Unstable places – reflection of cultural apprehension – Red Scare and threat of nuclear war.House of Unamerican Activities (HUAC) – Hollywood on trial, air of fear and uncertainty, lack of freedom of speech.Male protagonist must confront his past – full of secrets that can no longer be hidden.

Fear

Guilt Blackmail Arrest Trial for Murder

American or ‘Un’American?

Noir Discourse

Choose a clip from one of the noir films that you have studied and apply your understanding of:• Ideology• Context

Be prepared to feedback and to use appropriate media language and terminology

Task

To think about