Film Noir and Lighting

Film Noir

Film noir is a style of film-making that usually contains conventions such as dramatic lighting effects,intricate plots and cynical protagonists. The Hays Code, which was first introduced in 1930, censored certain scenes that were inappropriate for film. Therefore in film noir, dramatic effects were usually achieved by lighting and cinematography, and composition. A typical mise en scene would involve low-key lighting, which produces strong contrasts of light known as chiaroscuro. Back lighting was also used to create silhouettes which would make the film more dramatic and mysterious. 

The mise en scene uses low-key lighting to show a strong contrast between light and dark areas. This makes the character look mysterious. The strong light coming from the actors side, illuminates the cigarette, which could suggest that he is the protagonist. The light also shines on his coat which could connote that he is an investigator.However this is an enigma as there are many indications that suggest he could be either. The dramatic shadow created by the characters pose could suggest that he is the antagonist as intense shadows are usually associated with villains. An example of this can be seen in the bridge scene from ''A Clockwork Orange''. The use of 'chiaroscuro' could suggest that the character has the qualities of both a protagonist and villain as it shows two sides of him from the strong contrast of light and dark. 

The still image also uses top lighting as the light partially reveals the characters facial expressions. The characters body language suggests he is stressed and troubled. The iconography in the mise en scene e.g the fedora, cigarette and characters attire, could suggest that he is the investigator who is unhappy with his job. The top lighting is also beaming down on him which could suggest he might be seen as an inferior character in the film. 

I've chosen a clip from Batman vs Superman (2016) as is shows different lighting techniques, which produce different effects. The scene uses high-key lighting as it uses filler lights to show a dimly lit scene. This gives it an interesting effect as the scene is supposed to take place during the night- with the absence of the filler lights the characters facial expressions will not be seen. There is still a contrast between light and dark, but it is more subtle. This gives creates tension in the scene as the contrast suggests that both characters have two sides to them- they are both protagonists in the DC comic world but both of them have a villainous side.

The extract also uses both top lighting an under-lighting to produce the given effects that set a suspenseful and melodramatic tone to the scene. Superman's face is illuminated used top lighting to put emphasis on his stern facial expression and distinctive hairstyle. Whereas Batman's face is only illuminated using under-lighting. This is done to create a strong contrast between his mask and his face, and in someway create a distorted effect, which is still recognizable to his established fanbase. The difference in lighting methods suggests that there is a clear binary opposition in the film, in this case ''man vs alien''. It could also suggest the possible plot for the movie- superman's face is illuminated which could show how he is the main protagonist in this film, whereby more people sympathies with him.