HISTORY OF FILM NOIR

During WWII, films which were usually sent over from America, had been stopped due to the focus on sending supplies. After the war there was an influx of films sent over from America which mostly featured similar undertones and narratives. Film critic Nino Frank noticed this and in France 1946 he coined the term Film Noir, which is literally translated as 'Black Film'.

The classic Film Noirs were made in America and the heyday years were post-war up until the 1960's. They developed after WWII, taking advantage of the post-war anxiety cast by the threat of the Nazis.

Film genre refers to the method in the narrative elements from which films are made. Film Noir is not considered a genre by many but rather the mood and style of the film. Film Noirs were didn't start of as big budget studio pictures but rather 'B' movies which were shown alongside a Hollywood 'A' movies. 'B' movies often used the old sets of 'A' movies and featured little known actors, directors and a smaller budget.