We watched "Imperfect". A short film noir. It's a little bit longer than the 12 pages we will be writing in our class but it is a good reference for us because it is a short. We can use it as a good or bad example (depending on what you thought of it) of the sort of film noir we might write in this class.
"Imperfect" is not a classic film noir (it was made in 2012, not the 40's and 50's) so I am wondering how true you think it is to what we've learned about the film noir genre in this class. Which elements of film noir does it have? Which does it not have? Did you think it was a good movie? Why? Did you hate it? Why? Or did you just think it was OK? Why?
What did you learn that you will use to help you write a sweet film noir in this class?
i like it personally it was totally new had me on the edge of my sit but i cant figure out what to call it really.
ReplyDeleteI could see how people can say its a film noir, defiantly has the dark side to it and then the narration to it. Also the one main character was kind of a femmefatale. The film didn't have the P.I as the main character really.
People can also say it "neo noir"(I think that's how you spell that)because its in our time and not actually in the 1940's. I don't know how to really how to classified this film.....its got the romantic side, dark thriller side......I don't know haha can somebody help me? my brain is frying here. haha
(dea-4th and 5th period)
It's true that the film didn't have a P.I., although it did focus around crime. A lot of film theorists would consider it a neo noir because of that. Remember that both film noir and neo noir are ambiguous terms.An easy way I think to sort between the two would be to figure out which films take place in the 1940's-1950's and which ones are in modern time/have modern technology.
DeleteWay to get the conversation started, Dea and Naomi. I think it's great how Naomi goes in and gives a clarification on something Dea said. Way to work off one another. That's exactly what should be happening here.
DeleteShe took everything I was going to say so I'm going to say "Ditto". But I believe it was a New-Noir because of the time period it is set in plus the villain of the film is a robot. I enjoyed it a lot because of all of these things plus the look and feel that it had.
ReplyDelete(Carlos, above period.)
Way to write a little more than just "ditto".
DeleteThere are many film noir characteristics in this short, although I believe this to be a neo noir.
ReplyDeleteThe biggest film noir characteristic would be the entire film is in black and white. The shots that have the classic 'blind shadows' also tie in here. the protagonist drinking alcohol, distorted images (near the end when you can't see Evil Emma's face.), the film being narrated, flashbacks, and the scene where Brenden is sitting at his desk and Emma walks in seductively are all film noir attributes.
I don't personally view Emma as a 'femme fatale' although Brenden does refer to here as one when he calls her a 'dangerous woman'.
A film noir characteristic I didn't mention earlier is men often verbally degrade women as objects. A example I noticed was when Brenden's co-worker says "A looker and she can't talk. The perfect woman, don't you think?"
I liked the play on words in the beginning when Brenden states that he's been anticipating to shoot her. I thought it was clever how at firs it made you think he means with a gun when he really means with his camera.
Anyways, despite all the film noir characteristics, the reason I would classify 'Imperfect' as a neo noir is because it takes place in modern time. Not only that but it also has modern technology that they obviously did not have in the 40's and 50's.
Oh! Also, considering the 'synthetic' technology (especially considering Emma) You could view that part as steam punk!
Naomi do you mean by the muteEmma, as in not veiwing her as a femmefatale? Because that one I can sort of understand as not being a femmefatale, maybe she wasn't programed with the full intention of the plan as the killerEmma. Maybe? Though (killer)Emma is definitely a femmefatale.
DeleteExactly the point I was going for!
DeleteConsensus has been reached!
DeleteI believe that mute emma could be the femme fatale and Killer emma together. Bcause emma knew the famous model was killed before anyone else knew, and there for taking her place like it was planned with the knewer version to be her deversion so no one knew it was the newer version that killed her. is it possible to have two femme fatales that have a commen insterest? because the mute emma lured him into being distracted and set him up and didnt run when she was going to be killed
DeleteWith all of this and the part where the robot woman is trying to kill Brenden. This movie sort of fits all three of the genres pretty well.
ReplyDelete(Carlos)
But is the robot really steam punk? Is she steam powered?
DeleteI felt that they purposely tried to make the Neo-Noir simple as the film color with a tint of blue. but there was a spot that seemed that wasn't colored all the way so throughout the whole film this black spot was on the lower left corner. But I don't know if this was done on purpose or accident. What are your guy's opinion?
ReplyDeleteI didn't notice the black spot in the corner at all but I'm sure it was done on accident by either the editor or youtube.
DeleteActually, I think it was the cause of Will's projector, my bad. But the discussion of rather the Robot was Steampunk or not I feel is personal opinion, but PERHAPS this could be an example of a new sub-genre steampunk. If there can be Neo-Noir, why not Neo-Steampunk?
DeleteYes, it was Will's projector.
DeleteGreat proposal, Tyson.
I think it made sense. It was a mistake that could have been prevented by just filming in Black and White but eh, it was still a good movie.
ReplyDeleteWho posted this? I can't give you points if you don't state your name.
DeleteSo .. Yeah I concur with most of the things already said haha
ReplyDeleteAt first when we figured out Emma was a robot, yeah I got a little excited as well thinking it was also Steampunk, however Josh stated a very excellent point. The machines don't appear to be steam powered. Hah so yeah probably not Steampunk as much as I know some of us want it to be.
It is ABSOLUTELY a neo noir. Not a single doubt in my mind. With all the modern technology and such.
I have to agree with you on thinking that it kind of gave off the steampunk vibe, definitely a good twist though. I was not expecting it at all.
Delete(Angell Chandler)
I super duper agree with you, it was maybe a "neo steampunk'? but yours, and joshes points were right.
Delete(Marina)
I really enjoyed this short film. Unlike a lot of other really noir based, black and white crime dramas, new or old, I had no problem staying engaged the whole time.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely had a really Noir feel due to the low lighting, the characters and the tone of the entire film, but I would definitely have to call it a NEO NOIR. Although all the technical and stylistic characteristics are Classic Crime Drama, the modern day setting and physical characteristics such as the clothing and technology definitely categorize this As A NEW BLACK FILM.
This film was really enjoyable. I feel that it kept the audience on the edge of their seats with the main fact that it had a wonderful plot, though I would definitely classify it as neo-noir for its more modern touch to it. It was a great choice to show the difference though, and I loved it.
ReplyDelete(Angell Chandler.)
I loved this film it was very neo film noir and maybe in a way Neo steampunk, even though when we found out she was a robot, she wasnt steam powered. I loved how there were all different types of feelings and different things that left you wondering, and then they were answered in the ending. Very amazing film (:
ReplyDeleteMarina Mikesell
Some things have been mentioned about this film giving off a steampunk vibe. I think that it wasn't the fact that she was actually an android; it was the nature of the situation. Things weren't as they seemed; that is very film noir concept. She was shrouded in intrigue, being beautiful and silent; yet there was something wrong. Something wasn't right, things weren't as they appeared to be.
ReplyDeleteDoes it taking place in the modern world really classify it to be neo-noir? I would say that even though it took place in modern times, it handled the situations in a very old fashioned way. It didn't take advantage of any modern ideals, and it could've very well happened in the 50's.
ReplyDeleteGood point, Sydnie! Anyone have a good response to this comment?
DeleteI really liked the movie, but since it really didn't have a P.I. can it technically be a neo-noir?
ReplyDeleteno not all noirs have a pi. about 13% arnt actully. it is a very broad catagory
DeleteYeah, genres do not always stick to a set of strict rules. Rather than "rules", think of commonalities. Films of a same genre tend to have certain things in common but they don't have to all be the same in all the same ways.
DeleteI've been studying Steampunk this weekend and realizing that this will be even more the case when we get to that genre.
Anyone have a response for Tyler? Do film noirs have to have a P.I.?
ReplyDeleteWhats P.I.....? haha
Deletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_investigator
DeleteI admire you, Marina, for having the guts to admit that you don't know something. That is an important life skill that will help you grow a lot in knowledge and stuff in life. The above link is from wikipedia and should be helpful.
DeleteUhm to me I don't see neo-noirs having to have a P.I. as the protagonist, but someone who is solving a crime/mystery.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things about noir that gets me is you experience solving a puzzle with this character putting pieces together one by one until there's a clear picture. Every lie and double cross is just as surprising to you as it is to one of the characters.
To me as long as you experience that the protagonist can be a go-go dancer for all I care.