What is film noir? What are its characteristics? This study day will focus on the most famous film noir, Billy Wilder’s Double Indemnity. Students will identify and discuss the film’s micro features such as mise-en-scène, cinematography, editing, performance, and sound in order to determine how they contribute to the overall style and meaning of this particular film as a classic example of the famous and enduring cycle of films called film noir. This session is recommended for AS and equivalent level Film & Media Studies.
This session will be led by Maggie Hoffgen, Freelance Film Educator.
Screening: Double Indemnity (PG)
Dir Billy Wilder / US 1944 / 108 mins / Edward G. Robinson, Barbara Stanwyck, Fred McMurray
A classic film noir complete with snappy dialogue, Billy Wilder’s Double Indemnity features a scammed insurance stooge, devious plans, and a man-eating double- crossing femme fatale. Adapted by Wilder and Raymond Chandler from James M. Cain’s novel Three of a Kind, they don’t come much better than this.