Film Noir

Film noir is a genre of film that is known for its menace, pessimism, fatalism and dark lighting. The term "film noir" originated in France and was used to refer to an era of American film that became popular after world war two. In English this term simply translates to"film black".

Films of this genre were known for their low- key black and white visual style which developed from German cinematography and shadowed lighting. The plot usually involved hardboiled crime fiction. This was seen as a reaction of the depression that the world had experienced the previous decade.

Directors that became well known for their work in this genre are: Fritz Lang, Josef Von Sternberg, Otto Preminger and Michael Curtis.

Examples of early films noir are: