by Maurizio Roca
What I’ve discovered as I prepared for this countdown is that thinking long and hard on the definition of film noir can lead to a headache. Everyone has their own ideas on what noir is—and isn’t. To be direct and to the point…there is no absolute answer. Noir is not technically a genre (though I will refer to it as such) but more a stylistic movement that can encompass all types of movies. My own personal definition would be black-and-white films only, between 1941-1958. The focus is primarily on crime films or those with dramatic scenarios in which the protagonist of the picture gets placed in a situation beyond his or her control. These circumstances of fate force the characters into making choices based on temptations, which result in moral corruptibility and/or accountability. My other criteria’s would include: a palpable sense of doom, a liberal use of exaggerated camera angles, low key and chiaroscuro lighting, and expressionistic examples of mise en scene. I also think that true noir is primarily American. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect in the countdown.
* 50 film countdown
* 48 American-made B/W films between 1941-58.
* 2 British-made B/W films between 1941-58.
I debated with myself long and hard on whether I should include neo noirs in the countdown. A vague collection of films that is even harder to define than film noir, neo noir is a continuation of the former movement with similar elements and thematic concerns. These films originate after 1958 and are almost always shot in color. They include updated content and a graphic nature that was not possible in the more censored era that classic film noir originated. I decided that a more traditional list is the only sane way to go. Trying to decide what constitutes neo noir was too daunting a task when only including 50 films. I second guessed myself over leaving out certain films that are borderline and felt a traditional list would be better served when boiled down to 50. So, this what you won’t find in the upcoming countdown. (more…)
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