ENGL 3038 - Film Noir and Neo Noir

Institution:

University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Subject:

Description:

Although many critics question whether film noir exists as a genre, the term describes a large number of movies made in the 1940s and 50s that probe the underside of American life, usually featuring marginal male characters who may or may not be criminals or detectives, dark urban environments, dangerous beautiful females who use sex to manipulate and mislead the males with whom they come in contact, cowardly or corrupt police officers, and scheming politicians. "Neo noir" describes films made mostly from the 1970s onward and featuring the same sort of sleazy or disreputable characters and situations, but with the additional dimension of self-conscious reflection of or allusion to antecedents in film noir, whether introduced in homage or as parody or pastiche. Examples of film noir that we will view in this course include THE MALTESE FALCON, DOUBLE INDEMNITY, OUT OF THE PAST, TOUCH OF EVIL, and others as circumstances permit; neo noirs will include CHINATOWN, BODY HEAT, BLUE VELVET, L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, and others as time allows. Students will be responsible for one additional paper on another film noir or neo noir movie to be assigned, as well as occasional topical papers (3 or 4) and a comprehensive final exam.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.uc.edu

Phone Number:

(513) 556-6000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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