ARTH3928W: Film Noir

This course examines the world of Film Noir—“black cinema”—that distinctive film universe composed of equal parts atmospheric visuals, hard-boiled dialogue, and violent action. Films to be studied include John Huston’s The Maltese Falcon, Billy Wilder’s Double Indemnity, and Orson Welles’ Touch of Evil, as well as neo-noirs such as Roman Polanski’s Chinatown, David Lynch’s Blue Velvet, and Curt Hanson’s L.A. Confidential. Readings will include several books that were made into noir films (Dashiell Hammett’s Maltese Falcon, James Cain’s Double Indemnity, Raymond Chandler’s Murder, My Sweet), as well as excerpts from other works such as Mickey Spillane’s Kiss Me, Deadly. Special consideration will be given to the relationship between noir and neo-noir and between Hollywood films and the international context. Required readings on film noir and specific films will help students understand the significance of these works in relation to politics, gender representation, and other topics, as well as cinematic and literary history and historiography. Special consideration will be given to the relationship between noir and neo-noir and between Hollywood films and the international context. Required readings on film noir and specific films will help students understand the significance of the works in relation to gender representation, violence, and other social and political topics, as well as to cinematic and literary history and historiography.

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