Film Noir $1.69 AUD
Category: The Arts
If you’re watching a movie where a world-weary detective is having trouble with a ‘dame’ or a ‘broad’, and cigarette smoke is wafting through the scene – you’re probably appreciating a bit of “Film Noir".
Film Noir literally means black film referring to both the look and the attitude of these movies. Classic Film Noir movies were produced between 1940 and 1958. This film making style emerged in the United States as the Second World War raged and the Great Depression was only recent history.
During the Depression Hollywood busily made films that kept audiences happy. For most of the War many Hollywood movies also served as propaganda. Then the soldiers came home and had to adjust back to civilian life. Film Noir was a popular cultural reaction to the desperation of the Depression and the annihilation of the War, coupled with a growing fear of nuclear holocaust during the 1950’s. Film Noir was disillusionment creeping onto the silver screen.
