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femme fatale in film noir. ... The familiarity of the femme fatale character across film
noir is the predominant cause for discussion amongst feminist theorists. ...
... Despite the conventional femme fatale in film noir who is corrupted and cruel
throughout the movie, the three femme fatale in Double Indemnity, Raw Deal, and ...
... This detective usually encounters a femme fatale who seduces him. However, the most
distinctive feature of the film noir genre is the abundance of darkness. ...
... This is represented in the film by a negative portrayal of Phyllis. A common type
of woman featuring in noir films is the femme fatale, which challenges the ...
... her. The femme fatale of film noir is given power and ambition something
that Hollywood audiences are not used to seeing. As the ...
Submitted by snakehips4gsam on January 7, 2007
Category: Music and Movies
Words: 2191 | Pages: 9
Views: 875
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The term film noir was coined by French critics for 1940s-50s American films that shared a dark sensibility and a dark lighting style, such as Double Indemnity (1944), Out of the Past (1947), and The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946). Many theorists related the common noir attributes and aesthetic elements to a post war society characterised by insecurity about gender roles, the economy, changing definitions of race, and nuclear technology. One of the cultural problems the term genre attempts to address is the gender question. The familiarity of the femme fatale character across film noir is the predominant cause for discussion amongst feminist theorists. Feminist theorists became, and still remain, interested in the woman's portrayal in noir because the majority of quintessential film noirs were manufactured just after World War II when a massive surge in standing occurred within society for women. All the normal stereotypes and roles were being either broken down or at the very least questioned. The quintessential noir woman, the femme fatale represents the most direct attack on traditional womanhood and the nuclear family. She refuses to play the role of devoted wife and loving mother that mainstream society generates, dictates and prescribes for women. It is understood that the majority of feminist film theorists' objections lie within how differently the female image is treated in film from the male image. The image of the femme fatale in film noir finally portrayed an image of a strong, independent woman who could easily manipulate the men around her to get what she wanted. However, feminist critics appreciate that the immortality of the sensational femme fatale characters in film noir ultimately assists their argument in the battle for equal rights because women are shown to subvert their male counterparts.
The females in film noir were one of two types - dutiful, reliable, trustworthy and loving women; or femme fatales - mysterious,...
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