Neo-Noir 9780231850476

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NEO-NOIR

NEO-NOIR EDITED BY MARK BOULD, KATHRINA GLITRE AND GREG TUCK

WALLFLOWER PRESS LONDON & NEW YORK

A Wallflower Press Book Published by Columbia University Press Publishers Since 1893 .EW9ORKs#HICHESTER 7EST3USSEX cup.columbia.edu #OPYRIGHT¥-ARK"OULD +ATHRINA'LITRE AND'REG4UCK All rights reserved. Wallflower Press® is a registered trademark of Columbia University Press A complete CIP record is available from the Library of Congress )3".    PBKALKCLOTH )3".    E BOOK Book design by Elsa Mathern #OVERIMAGEOldboy ¥3HOW%AST

Columbia University Press books are printed on permanent and durable acid-free paper. 4HISBOOKISPRINTEDONPAPERWITHRECYCLEDCONTENT Printed in the United States of America C P

Contents

Notes on Contributorsĺ ĺ

Foreword: ‘If Only My Leg Didn’t Itch’

vii ix

MIKE HODGES

Parallax Views: An Introduction

1

MARK BOULD, KATHRINA GLITRE AND GREG TUCK

1

Under the Neon Rainbow: Colour and Neo-Noir

11

KATHRINA GLITRE

2

Audio-Noir: Audiovisuality in Neo-Modernist Noir

28

ROBERT MIKLITSCH

3

Paranoia and Nostalgia: Sonic Motifs and Songs in Neo-Noir

44

HELEN HANSON

4

The End of Work: From Double Indemnity to Body Heat

61

CARL FREEDMAN

5

Worlds Without Consequence: Two Versions of Film Noir in the 1980s

75

ĺ

EDWARD GALLAFENTĺ

6

From Lonely Streets to Lonely Rooms: Prefiguration, Affective Responses and the Max Payne Single-Player 90

ĺ

GREG SINGHĺ

7

The New Lower Depths: Paris in French Neo-Noir Cinema

ĺ

GINETTE VINCENDEAU

103

v

8

The Shadow of Outlaws in Asian Noir: Hiroshima, Hong Kong and Seoul

118

HYANGJIN LEE

9

British Neo-Noir and Reification: Croupier and Dirty Pretty Things

136

MIKE WAYNE

10 Laughter in the Dark: Irony, Black Comedy and Noir in the Films of David Lynch, the Coen Brothers and Quentin Tarantino 152 ĺ

GREG TUCKĺ

11 A Woman Scorned: The Neo-Noir Erotic Thriller as Revenge Drama

168

LINDA RUTH WILLIAMS

12 Neo-Noir’s Fatal Woman: Stardom, Survival and Sharon Stone

186

REBECCA FEASEY

13 Fatality Revisited: The Problem of ‘Anxiety’ in Psychoanalytic-Feminist Approaches to Film Noir

203

SUZY GORDON

14 The Thin Men: Anorexic Subjectivity in Fight Club and The Machinist

221

SHERRYL VINT AND MARK BOULD

15 Memento: Pasting Ourselves Together Through Cinema

240

DEBORAH THOMAS

ĺ

vi

Filmography

254

Index

265

Notes on Contributors Mark Bould is a Reader in Film and Literature at the University of the West of England and co-editor of Science Fiction Film and Television. His books include Film Noir: From Berlin to Sin City (2005), The Cinema of John Sayles: Lone Star (2009) and, as co-editor, Parietal Games: Critical Writings By and On M. John Harrison (2005) and Red Planets: Marxism and Science Fiction (2009). Rebecca Feasey is a Senior Lecturer in Film and Media Communications at Bath Spa University. She has previously published in the areas of cult film, celebrity culture, contemporary Hollywood stardom, and the representation of gender in popular television. Carl Freedman is Professor of English and Director of English Graduate Studies at Louisiana State University. The author or editor of half a dozen books and the author of many dozens of essays and reviews, his most recent edited collection is Conversations with Samuel R. Delany (2009). Edward Gallafent teaches in the Department of Film and Television Studies at the University of Warwick. He is the author of Clint Eastwood: Actor and Director (1994), Astaire and Rogers (2000) and Quentin Tarantino (2006). Kathrina Glitre is a Senior Lecturer in Film Studies at the University of the West of England. She is the author of Hollywood Romantic Comedy: States of the Union, 1934–65 (2006) and is currently completing a project entitled Starring Cary Grant on film acting and casting in the classical Hollywood studio system. Suzy Gordon has taught Film Studies at the universities of Sussex, Glasgow and the West of England, and published widely on women, film and psychoanalysis, with a particular focus on Melanie Klein. Helen Hanson is a Senior Lecturer in Film in the Department of English at the University of Exeter. She is the author of Hollywood Heroines: Women in Film Noir and the Female Gothic Film (2007) and the co-editor of The Femme Fatale: Images, Histories, Contexts (forthcoming). Mike Hodges is primarily known as a filmmaker (Get Carter, Pulp, The Terminal Man and, latterly, Black Rainbow, Croupier, I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead) but has also written and directed plays for BBC radio (Shooting Stars and Other Heavenly Pursuits, King Trash) and the theatre (Soft Shoe Shuffle). His first novel, Watching The Wheels Come Off, will be published in 2010. The theme of all these works is a bleak, blackly humorous take on the world as he sees it.

vii

Hyangjin Lee is a professor of sociology in the College of Intercultural Communication at Rikkyo University and an honorary researcher in East Asian Culture at the University of Sheffield. She is the author of Contemporary Korean Cinema: Identity, Culture and Politics (2000) and Sociology of Korean Wave: Women, Family and Fandom (2008), and has worked as the director of the UK Korean Film Festival since 2001. Robert Miklitsch is a Professor in the Department of English at Ohio University. His books include From Hegel to Madonna: Towards a General Economy of Commodity Fetishism (1998) and Roll Over Adorno: Critical Theory, Popular Culture, Audiovisual Media (2006). His essay, ‘Real Fantasies: Connie Stevens, Silencio, and Other Sonic Phenomena in Mulholland Drive’ appeared in Lowering the Boom: Critical Studies in Film Sound (2008) and a book on sound and source music in 1940s noir, Audio Noir: Audiovisuality in Classic American Noir, is forthcoming. Greg Singh is the author of Film After Jung: Post-Jungian Approaches to Film Theory (2009). He is currently completing his PhD at the University of Reading on the experience of narrative closure in popular film cultures and its effects across media forms, and a second book on film and affect. Deborah Thomas is the author of numerous essays and books on film, including Beyond Genre: Melodrama, Comedy and Romance in Hollywood Films (2000) and Reading Hollywood: Spaces and Meanings in Hollywood Films (2001), as well as a monograph on Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2005). Until her retirement in 2007, she was Professor of Film Studies at the University of Sunderland. Greg Tuck is a Senior Lecturer in Film Studies at the University of the West of England. He is on the editorial board of Film-Philosophy, and is currently writing Philosophy, Cinema and Sex and co-editing a collection on film and philosophy. Ginette Vincendeau is Professor of Film Studies at King’s College, London. Among her publications are Stars and Stardom in French Cinema (2000), Jean-Pierre Melville, ‘An American in Paris’ (2003) and La Haine (2005), and the co-edited collection, Journeys of Desire: European Actors in Hollywood (2006). Sherryl Vint is an Associate Professor at Brock University, Ontario, and an editor of Extrapolation, Humanimalia and Science Fiction Film and Television. She is the author of Bodies of Tomorrow: Technology, Subjectivity, Science Fiction (2007) and Animal Alterity: Science Fiction and the Question of the Animal (forthcoming). Mike Wayne teaches film studies at Brunel University, where he convenes an MA in Documentary Practice. He is co-director of a feature-length documentary, Listen To Venezuela. Among other works, he is the author of Marxism and Media Studies: Key Concepts and Contemporary Changes (2003). Linda Ruth Williams is Professor of Film at Southampton University. She writes and researches on contemporary cinema, sexuality and censorship. Her books include The Erotic Thriller in Contemporary Cinema (2005) and the co-edited volume, Contemporary American Cinema (2006). She is currently writing a biography of Ken Russell and a monograph about Steven Spielberg and children.

viii

‘If Only My Leg Didn’t Itch’ A FOREWORD BY MIKE HODGES

7HENĺ)ĺCAMEĺTOĺMAKEĺGet CarterĺATĺTHEĺFAGĺENDĺOFĺTHEĺS ĺTHEĺTERMĺüLMĺ NOIRĺWASNlTĺINĺCOMMONĺUSAGEĺOUTSIDEĺ&RANCEĺ%VENĺSO ĺTHISĺüLMĺüTTEDĺTHEĺCAT EGORYĺPERFECTLY ĺSTEMMINGĺASĺITĺDIDĺFROMĺTHEĺSAMEĺFORMĺANDĺSOURCEĺANGERĺANDĺ REVENGEĺAGAINSTĺSOCIALĺINJUSTICEĺWRAPPEDĺUPĺASĺAĺTHRILLER ĺASĺMANYĺINĺTHATĺSĺ GENREĺWHICHĺEMERGEDĺSOĺSOONĺAFTERĺTHEĺ7ALLĺ3TREETĺ#RASHĺ 7ITHĺSUGARĺSWEETĺBEINGĺMOREĺADDICTIVEĺANDĺPROüTABLE ĺONEĺCOULDĺARGUEĺITlSĺ SURPRISINGĺTHATĺANYĺBITTERĺNOIRĺüLMSĺWEREĺMADEĺATĺALLĺ%ACHĺBEINGĺANĺARTEFACTĺOFĺ THEĺCAPITALISTĺSYSTEMĺ&ORGETĺTHEĺART ĺSTUPIDĺFACEĺTHEĺFACTĺ!LLĺüLMSĺAREĺMADEĺINĺ THEĺPURSUITĺOFĺMONEY ĺMAZUMA ĺGELT ĺSHEKELS ĺWHICHĺHASĺALWAYSĺBEENĺANDĺES PECIALLYĺNOWADAYS ĺSYNONYMOUSĺWITHĺTHEĺpursuit of happinessĺ.OĺWONDERĺTHEĺ TERMĺWASĺINCLUDEDĺINĺTHEĺ!MERICANĺ#ONSTITUTION ĺTHEĺVERYĺCOUNTRYĺWHEREĺCAPI TALISMĺREIGNSĺSUPREMEĺDESPITEĺTHEĺODDĺGLITCH ĺANDĺüLMĺNOIRĺTOOKĺROOTĺ!LTHOUGHĺ THEĺSOCIALĺCOMPOSTĺINĺWHICHĺTHESEĺDARKĺüLMSĺGROWĺHASĺCONSTANTLYĺCHANGEDĺASĺ THISĺCOLLECTIONĺOFĺESSAYSĺILLUMINATES ĺTHEYĺSTILLĺKEEPINGĺCOMINGĺGet CarterĺBE INGĺONE 4HEĺSĺFORĺMANYĺOFĺUSĺWASĺAĺHOPEFULĺANDĺEXCITINGĺDECADEĺWHENĺRADICALĺ IDEOLOGICALĺ DREAMSĺ SEEMEDĺ REALISABLEĺ4HOSEĺ DREAMS ĺ HOWEVER ĺ SOONĺ FADED ĺ OVERTAKENĺLIKEĺMANYĺHUMANĺENDEAVOURSĺBYĺGREEDĺANDĺCORRUPTIONĺ7ITHĺAĺFAULTĺ LINEĺOFĺCLASSĺANDĺPRIVILEGEĺFRACTURINGĺ"RITISHĺSOCIETYĺFROMĺTHEĺMONARCHYĺATĺTHEĺ TOPĺBYĺDIVINEĺRIGHT ĺNOĺLESS ĺDOWNĺTOĺTHEĺUN ELECTEDĺ(OUSEĺOFĺ,ORDSĺSUSTAINEDĺ BYĺAĺSKEWEDĺSYSTEMĺOFĺBESTOWINGĺKNIGHTHOODSĺANDĺOTHERĺHONOURS ĺTOĺTHEĺNURS ERYĺSLOPESĺOFĺTHEĺEXCLUSIVEĺPUBLICĺSCHOOLSĺPRIVATEĺSCHOOLSĺENJOYINGĺCHARITABLEĺ STATUS ĺ ANDĺ ENDINGĺ UPĺ WITHĺ INĺ THOSEĺ DAYS ĺ Aĺ TRUSTINGĺ ANDĺ GULLIBLEĺ POPULACE ĺ THOSEĺDREAMSĺQUICKLYĺEVAPORATED &ORĺMYĺOWNĺPARTĺTHEĺTRUEĺCONDITIONĺOFĺ'REATĺ"RITAINĺWASĺONLYĺREVEALEDĺDURINGĺ MYĺ.ATIONALĺ3ERVICEĺAĺCOMPULSORYĺTWOĺYEARS ĺINĺTHEĺ2OYALĺ.AVYĺ)NĺTHEĺMID

ix

Sĺ)ĺWASĺPOSTEDĺASĺANĺordinaryĺSEAMANĺTOĺAĺMINESWEEPERĺWITHĺDUTIESĺTHATĺ TOOKĺUSĺINTOĺEVERYĺüSHINGĺPORTĺAROUNDĺOURĺCOASTĺ4HEĺPOVERTYĺANDĺDEPRIVATIONĺ)ĺ WITNESSEDĺINĺTHOSEĺHELLĺHOLESĺBLEWĺTHEĺSCALESĺOFFĺMYĺBOURGEOISĺEYESĺFORĺEVERĺ 3OONĺAFTERĺLEAVINGĺTHEĺNAVYĺNOW ĺSIGNIüCANTLY ĺANĺableĺSEAMAN ĺ)ĺSOMEHOWĺGOTĺ AĺMENIALĺJOBĺINĺTELEVISIONĺ(ERE ĺUNDERĺCOSY ĺWARMĺSTUDIOĺLIGHTSĺ)ĺWASĺNOWĺABLEĺ TOĺOBSERVEĺATĺüRSTĺHANDĺTHEĺOTHERĺENDĺOFĺTHEĺSOCIALĺSPECTRUMĺTHEĺPOTBELLYĺASĺ OPPOSEDĺTOĺTHEĺUNDERBELLY ĺTHEĺPOLITICIANSĺANDĺCIVILĺSERVANTS ĺTHEĺBISHOPSĺANDĺ CARDINALS ĺTHEĺJOURNALISTSĺANDĺACTORS ĺINDEEDĺANYONEĺWHOĺTHOUGHTĺTHEMSELVESĺ WORTHYĺENOUGHĺTOĺBEĺSEENĺANDĺHEARDĺ)FĺMYĺüRSTĺREVELATORYĺEXPERIENCEĺBROUGHTĺ 7ILLIAMĺ(OGARTHĺTOĺMIND ĺTHEĺSECONDĺBROUGHTĺWITHĺITĺ3WIFTĺANDĺ*UVENALĺHEĺOFĺ THEĺSixteen Satires ĺ 7HENĺ)ĺGRAVITATEDĺINĺTHEĺLATEĺSĺFROMĺCURRENTĺAFFAIRSĺPROGRAMMESĺINCLUD INGĺAĺTWO YEARĺSTINTĺONĺTHEĺTOUGHĺINVESTIGATIVEĺWEEKLYĺWorld in Action ĺTOĺüLMEDĺ üCTIONĺ Aĺ PLACEĺ WHEREĺ ONEĺ HASĺ DISTINCTLYĺ MOREĺ OPPORTUNITIESĺ TOĺ TELLĺ THEĺ TRUTH ĺ NEEDLESSĺTOĺSAYĺ)ĺFOLLOWEDĺINĺTHEĺFOOTSTEPSĺOFĺTHOSEĺSUBVERSIVEĺFORTIESĺ!MERICANĺ üLMMAKERSĺWHOĺALSOĺHADĺAĺSOCIALĺAXEĺTOĺGRINDĺ(ENCEĺGet Carter ĺRumour ĺThe Manipulators ĺPulp ĺThe Terminal Man ĺBlack Rainbow ĺCroupierĺANDĺI’ll Sleep When I’m Deadĺ -AKINGĺTHESEĺüLMSĺWASĺONEĺTHINGĺBUT ĺASĺ)ĺWASĺTOĺDISCOVER ĺGETTINGĺPROPERĺ EXHIBITIONĺESPECIALLYĺINĺTHEĺ5+ ĺWASĺANOTHERĺ)NĺTHEĺSĺANDĺS ĺTHEĺ(OLLY WOODĺSTUDIOĺSYSTEM ĺFORĺSOUNDĺCOMMERCIALĺREASONS ĺGUARANTEEDĺDISTRIBUTIONĺOFĺ ALLĺITSĺüLMSĺ&ORĺTHEĺDIRECTORSĺINĺPARTICULAR ĺ$OUGLASĺ3IRK ĺTHEĺBLEAKESTĺANDĺMOSTĺ TALENTEDĺINĺMYĺOPINION ĺTHISĺMEANTĺTHEIRĺüLMSĺWEREĺNOTĺJUSTĺMADEĺpĺBUTĺSEENĺ 4HEĺCIRCLEĺOFĺSUBVERSIONĺWASĺCOMPLETE .OTĺSOĺINĺMYĺCASEĺ !Tĺ THEĺ ENDĺ OFĺ Pulp ĺ MYĺ SECONDĺ FEATURE ĺ ITĺ WASĺ PRESCIENTĺ OFĺ MEĺ TOĺ HAVEĺ -ICHAELĺ#AINEĺASĺ-ICKEYĺ+ING ĺHISĺLEGĺINĺPLASTERĺFROMĺAĺBULLETĺWOUNDĺANDĺINCAR CERATEDĺINĺAĺCORRUPTĺFASCISTĺPOLITICIANlSĺPALACE ĺLOOKĺSTRAIGHTĺATĺTHEĺCAMERAĺANDĺ SAYĺk)lLLĺGETĺTHEĺBASTARDSĺYETl &ATĺCHANCE ĺ-ICKEY
.OĺWONDERĺHEĺADDSĺWISTFULLY ĺk)FĺONLYĺMYĺLEGĺDIDNlTĺITCHl $ORSET ĺ!UGUSTĺ

x

Parallax Views: An Introduction MARK BOULD, KATHRINA GLITRE AND GREG TUCK

)NĺThe Lookoutĺ ĺFORMERĺCHAMPIONĺHIGH SCHOOLĺHOCKEYĺPLAYERĺ#HRISĺ0RATTĺ *OSEPHĺ'ORDON ,EVITT ĺISĺLEFTĺBRAIN DAMAGEDĺBYĺAĺCARĺCRASHĺ.OWĺAĺLOWLYĺJANITOR NIGHTWATCHMAN ĺHEĺSUFFERSĺFROMĺFORMSĺOFĺAPHASIA ĺSYNAESTHESIAĺANDĺ4OURETTElS ĺ ASĺWELLĺASĺSHORT TERMĺMEMORYĺDYSFUNCTIONĺANDĺSEVEREĺDIFüCULTIESĺWITHĺSEQUENC INGĺMEMORIESĺANDĺPLANNINGĺFUTUREĺACTIONSĺ2OBBERS ĺPLAYINGĺONĺHISĺLONELINESS ĺ HISĺSENSEĺOFĺANGER ĺINJUSTICEĺANDĺLOSS ĺANDĺONĺHISĺDESIREĺFORĺAĺNORMALĺLIFE ĺLUREĺ HIMĺINTOĺTHEIRĺPLOTĺTOĺHOLDĺUPĺTHEĺBANKĺWHEREĺHEĺWORKSĺ(EĺHASĺNOĺIDEAĺHEĺISĺJUSTĺ THEĺFALLĺGUYĺAND ĺWHENĺHEĺTRIESĺTOĺBACKĺOUTĺOFĺTHEĺDEAL ĺTHEĺGANGĺTURNĺONĺHIMĺANDĺ THEĺHEISTĺGOESĺSOURĺ(EĺMAKESĺOFFĺWITHĺTHEĺMONEYĺANDĺTHEĺROBBERSĺABDUCTĺHISĺ FRIEND ĺ,EWISĺ*EFFĺ$ANIELS ĺ#HRISĺMUSTĺüNDĺAĺWAYĺTOĺSAVEĺHIMĺWITHOUTĺGETTINGĺ THEMĺBOTHĺKILLEDĺ4HEĺONLYĺPROBLEMĺISĺTHATĺHEĺWILLĺHAVEĺTOĺSEQUENCEĺTHEĺPLANĺANDĺ REMEMBERĺALLĺITSĺELEMENTSĺINĺTHEĺRIGHTĺORDER 4HEĺEXTENTĺOFĺTHEĺPROBLEMĺFACINGĺ#HRISĺISĺWELL ESTABLISHEDĺ!FTERĺTHEĺOPEN INGĺCRASHĺSEQUENCE ĺTHEĺSTORYĺpĺLIKEĺMANYĺNOIRĺSTORIESĺpĺRESUMESĺWITHĺAĺMALEĺ VOICE OVERĺ7ITHĺAĺFEWĺEXCEPTIONS ĺ#HRISlSĺWORDSĺAREĺMATCHEDĺBYĺTHEĺIMAGESĺAĺ MONTAGEĺOFĺHIMĺPERFORMINGĺFAMILIARĺACTIONS I wake up. I turn off the alarm. I look outside so that I know what to wear. I take a shower. And I shave. Sometimes I cry for no reason. [Cut to a close-up of an exercise book in which this sentence, written in pencil, is being erased.] But I’m getting a handle on it. I wake up. I get dressed. I take my meds. When Lewis is gone, I make the coffee, which can be tricky. I eat breakfast but I don’t read the paper. It confuses me, which makes me mad. [Cut to the notepad, with the words ‘I get mad easily’ being erased.] I wake up. I put on my coat and go to class. [The key rack by the door has two notes stuck to it: ‘Take key when leaving’ and ‘Lock the door from outside’.] I wake up.

PARALLAX VIEWS: AN INTRODUCTION

1

!LTHOUGHĺTHEĺTEMPORALĺRELATIONSHIPĺBETWEENĺPERFORMINGĺTHEĺACTIONS ĺSPEAKINGĺ THEĺWORDS ĺANDĺWRITINGĺANDĺERASINGĺTHEĺWORDSĺISĺINITIALLYĺUNCLEAR ĺITĺDOESĺESTAB LISHĺAĺPATTERNĺOFĺREPETITIONĺ#UTĺTOĺAĺSHOTĺTHATĺTRACKSĺDOWNĺTHEĺEXERCISEĺBOOK ĺONĺ ALTERNATEĺLINESĺOFĺWHICHĺAREĺWRITTEN I wake up I turn off the alarm I take a shower I wake up [over the erased ‘Sometimes I cry for no reason’] I get dressed I make coffee I eat breakfast I wake up [over the erased ‘I get mad easily’] I go to class ,INEARĺ PROGRESSIONĺ KEEPSĺ HITTINGĺ Aĺ BRICKĺ WALLĺ Ourĺ TEMPORALĺ CONFUSIONĺ ISĺ RET ROSPECTIVELYĺRESOLVEDĺBYĺTHEĺDISCOVERYĺTHATĺTHISĺRECITATIONĺISĺPARTĺOFĺTHEĺCLASSĺ #HRISlSĺTHERAPYĺGROUPĺHAVEĺEACHĺBEENĺTRYINGĺTOĺLISTĺAĺkTYPICALĺDAYl ĺBUTĺASĺHEĺLATERĺ TELLSĺ,EWIS ĺk)ĺKEPTĺGETTINGĺSTUCKĺONĺm)ĺWAKEĺUPnllĺ *USTĺAĺFEWĺDAYSĺLATER ĺBOTHĺOFĺTHEIRĺLIVESĺDEPENDĺONĺ#HRISĺBEINGĺABLEĺTOĺFOR MULATEĺ ANDĺ FOLLOWĺ Aĺ NOT UNCOMPLICATEDĺ SEQUENCEĺ OFĺ EVENTSĺ4HEIRĺ ONLYĺ HOPEĺ LIESĺINĺTHEĺADVICEĺ,EWISĺGAVEĺTHEĺDEJECTEDĺ#HRISĺk$ONlTĺTHINKĺOFĺITĺASĺAĺLIST ĺTHINKĺ OFĺITĺASĺAĺSTORYĺINSTEADĺ%VERYTHINGlSĺAĺSTORYĺaĺ3TORIESĺAREĺWHATĺHELPĺUSĺMAKEĺ SENSEĺOFĺTHEĺWORLDĺaĺ3TARTĺATĺTHEĺENDĺ#ANlTĺTELLĺAĺSTORYĺIFĺYOUĺDONlTĺKNOWĺWHEREĺ ITlSĺGOINGĺaĺ9OUĺJUSTĺGOTTAĺSTARTĺATĺTHEĺENDĺANDĺWORKĺBACKWARDSlĺ #HRISlSĺ PLIGHTĺ pĺ ANDĺ METHODĺ pĺ RESONATESĺ VERYĺ STRONGLYĺ WITHĺ THOSEĺ OFĺ THEĺ GENREĺTHEORIST ĺCRITICĺANDĺHISTORIANĺ4HEĺCONSTRUCTIONĺOFĺGENREĺISĺALWAYSĺAĺRETRO SPECTIVEĺACTIVITY ĺPREDICATEDĺONĺRECOGNISINGĺSIMILARITIESĺTOĺANDĺDIFFERENCESĺFROMĺ WHATĺHASĺGONEĺBEFOREĺANDĺCOMEĺSINCE ĺ*USTĺASĺ#HRISĺMUSTĺSETTLEĺUPONĺONEĺOFĺ THEĺCOUNTLESSĺNARRATIVESĺAVAILABLEĺTOĺHIMĺTHATĺWILLĺENABLEĺHIMĺTOĺACHIEVEĺCERTAINĺ GOALS ĺ SOĺ THEĺ THEORIST ĺ CRITICĺ ANDĺ HISTORIANĺ OFĺ GENREĺ MUSTĺ CHOOSEĺ pĺ SELECTING ĺ EMPHASISINGĺANDĺMAKINGĺCENTRALĺCERTAINĺTEXTS ĺüGURES ĺCYCLES ĺTENDENCIES ĺCRITI CALĺMETHODOLOGIES ĺANDĺSOĺON ĺWHILEĺDISCARDING ĺDOWNPLAYINGĺANDĺMARGINALISINGĺ OTHERS 4OOĺ OFTEN ĺ THEORISTS ĺ CRITICSĺ ANDĺ HISTORIANSĺ HAVEĺ TRIEDĺ TOĺ IMPOSEĺ NEATĺ LIN EARĺTRAJECTORIESĺUPONĺINDIVIDUALĺGENRES ĺTREATINGĺTHEMĺASĺDISCRETEĺENTITIESĺTHATĺ kSPRINGĺFULL BLOWNĺFROMĺTHEĺHEADĺOFĺ:EUSlĺ!LTMANĺĺ ĺEVOLVEĺANDĺTHENĺ DIEĺ OUTĺ SEEĺ .EALEĺ ĺ p ĺ4HISĺ COLLECTIONĺ SEEKSĺ Aĺ MOREĺ COMPLEXĺ UN DERSTANDINGĺ 'ENREĺ ISĺ MESSYĺ GENRESĺ MUTATEĺ4HEYĺ AREĺ NOTĺ RIGIDLY DEüNEDĺ PI GEONHOLESĺ INTOĺ WHICHĺ EXAMPLESĺ CANĺ BEĺ NEATLYĺ PLACED ĺ BUTĺ BAGGYĺ ANDĺ BROAD ĺ ERRANTĺANDĺLOOSEĺ4HEYĺAREĺGOVERNEDĺBYĺkCONTAMINATIONlĺANDĺkIMPURITYlĺ$ERRIDAĺ ĺ ĺ)SĺWhite Heatĺ ĺAĺGANGSTERĺMOVIEĺORĺAĺüLMĺNOIRĺThe Reckless

2

NEO-NOIR

Momentĺ ĺAĺüLMĺNOIRĺORĺAĺMELODRAMAĺBlade Runnerĺ ĺSCIENCEĺüC TIONĺORĺNEO NOIRĺ4OĺASKĺSUCHĺQUESTIONSĺISĺTOĺMISSĺTHEĺPOINTĺ4HEĺEITHERORĺCON STRUCTIONĺSEEKSĺDEüNITIVEĺANSWERSĺASĺIFĺAĺüLMĺpĺORĺAĺGENREĺpĺEXISTSĺINĺAĺCULTURALĺ VACUUMĺ)TĺMISTAKESĺTHEĺINDUSTRIALĺPURPOSEĺOFĺGENERICĺüLMMAKING ĺWHICHĺLIESĺINĺ FAMILIARITYĺandĺNOVELTY ĺREPETITIONĺandĺDIFFERENCEĺ)NĺTHEĺCONTEXTĺOFĺ(OLLYWOODĺ PRODUCTION ĺASĺ*ANETĺ3TAIGERĺARGUES ĺTHEĺNOTIONĺTHATĺGENRESĺWEREĺONCEĺkPURElĺISĺ ANĺILLUSIONĺWHICHĺTYPICALLYĺRESULTSĺFROMĺMAPPINGĺkAĺSUBJECTIVEĺORDERĺVISIBLEĺINĺTHEĺ PRESENTĺaĺONTOĺTHEĺPASTlĺANDĺTHENĺMISTAKINGĺITĺFORĺkTHEĺORDERĺVISIBLEĺINĺTHEĺPASTlĺ ĺ  ĺ4HEĺ SAMEĺ CRITICISMĺ CANĺ BEĺ LEVELLEDĺ AGAINSTĺ ATTEMPTSĺ TOĺ REIGNĺ INĺ TEXTUALĺEXCESSĺBYĺINVOKINGĺAĺGENERICĺDOMINANTĺTOĺWHICHĺALLĺTHEĺOTHERĺMATERIALĺINĺ THEĺTEXTĺISĺSUBORDINATEDĺ4HEREĺISĺNOĺAVAILABLEĺPOSITIONĺFROMĺWHICHĺTOĺOBJECTIVELYĺ MAKEĺSUCHĺAĺJUDGEMENTĺANDĺEVENĺIFĺTHEREĺWERE ĺONEĺWOULDĺSTILLĺHAVEĺTOĺEXPLOREĺ ANDĺ EXPLICATEĺ THEĺ SHEERĺ VARIETYĺ OFĺ POTENTIALĺ RELATIONSHIPSĺ BETWEENĺ THEĺ DOMI NANTĺANDĺOTHERĺTEXTUALĺELEMENTS ĺASĺWELLĺASĺTHEĺPRECISEĺRELATIONSHIPSĺWITHINĺANYĺ INDIVIDUALĺ TEXT ĺ )NDIVIDUALĺ üLMSĺ AREĺ POLYSEMIC ĺ CONTRADICTORYĺ ANDĺ INCOHERENT ĺ SPILLINGĺOVERĺWITHĺMATERIALĺTHATĺCANNOTĺBEĺEASILYĺREDUCEDĺORĺINĺGOODĺCONSCIENCEĺ IGNOREDĺINĺORDERĺTOĺCUTĺTHEMĺTOĺSOMEĺPRE EXISTINGĺPATTERNĺ#ONSEQUENTLY ĺTHEREĺ WILLĺALWAYSĺBEĺEXCEPTIONSĺTOĺpĺANDĺDISAGREEMENTSĺOVERĺpĺGENERICĺDEüNITIONSĺ )NSTEAD ĺTHEĺCONCEPTUALĺUSEFULNESSĺOFĺGENREĺDEPENDSĺONĺIDENTIFYING ĺEXPLORINGĺ ANDĺANALYSINGĺRELATIONSHIPS ĺTHEĺCOMPLEXĺPATTERNSĺANDĺNETWORKSĺOFĺINTERTEXTUALĺ ANDĺINTERCULTURALĺEXCHANGEĺ &ILMĺNOIRĺISĺAĺPARTICULARLYĺNOTORIOUSĺCASE ĺINĺTHISĺRESPECTĺ7HENĺITĺCOMESĺTOĺ DEBATINGĺDEüNITIONSĺORĺIDENTIFYINGĺüRSTĺANDĺLAST ĺEXAMPLES ĺITSĺPECULIARĺHISTORYĺ MAKESĺITĺSEEMĺUNIQUEĺTHEĺPEOPLEĺMAKINGĺSEXY ĺVIOLENTĺCRIMEĺTHRILLERSĺANDĺMEL ODRAMASĺINĺTHEĺ53ĺINĺTHEĺSĺANDĺSĺDIDĺNOTĺKNOWĺTHEYĺWEREĺMAKINGĺküLMĺ NOIRlĺUNTILĺ!NGLOPHONEĺCRITICSĺINĺTHEĺSĺANDĺSĺDISCOVEREDĺTHATĺWASĺHOWĺ THEĺ&RENCHĺHADĺBEENĺIDENTIFYINGĺTHEMĺSINCEĺTHEĺSĺ#ERTAINLY ĺFEWĺGENRESĺ HAVEĺATTRACTEDĺSUCHĺINTENSEĺANDĺRECURRINGĺDEBATESĺAROUNDĺSUCHĺFUNDAMENTALLYĺ IRRESOLVABLEĺQUESTIONSĺSEEĺ.EALEĺĺp ĺWITHĺCRITICSĺNEVERĺQUITEĺAGREE INGĺUPONĺWHETHERĺITĺISĺAĺGENREĺORĺAĺSTYLEĺORĺAĺTHEMEĺORĺAĺMOODĺORĺAĺFORMĺORĺAĺ TEXTUREĺORĺAĺCYCLEĺWHETHERĺITĺWASĺPRODUCEDĺINĺTHEĺ53ĺORĺINĺVARIOUSĺNATIONALĺ CINEMAS ĺINCLUDINGĺTHEĺ53 ĺ&RANCE ĺ'ERMANY ĺTHEĺ5+ĺANDĺ*APAN ĺFROMĺTHEĺEARLYĺ SĺORĺPOSSIBLYĺTHEĺSĺORĺTHEĺS ĺUNTILĺTHEĺMID SĺORĺLATEĺS ĺ ORĺCONTINUALLYĺWITHOUTĺBREAKĺUNTILĺTHEĺPRESENT ĺ!NDĺWHENĺTHEORISTS ĺCRITICSĺANDĺ HISTORIANSĺSEEMĺTOĺAGREEĺTHATĺITĺISĺAĺGENRE ĺTHEYĺSTILLĺDISAGREEĺABOUTĺHOWĺTHEYĺ KNOWĺTHISĺISĺITĺBYĺNARRATIVEĺSTRUCTUREĺORĺCHARACTERĺTYPESĺORĺICONOGRAPHYĺORĺVISUALĺ STYLEĺ7HENĺITĺWASĺMADEĺ7HEREĺITĺWASĺMADEĺ/RĺBYĺWHOMĺ$IFFERENTĺCRITICSĺ PRIVILEGEĺDIFFERENTĺüLMSĺANDĺLAYĺDIFFERENTĺEMPHASESĺONĺTHEĺMUTUALLYĺARTICULATINGĺ THEMESĺSEX ĺCRIME ĺCORRUPTION ĺMURDER ĺBETRAYAL ĺCHARACTERSĺTHEĺGUMSHOE ĺTHEĺ FEMMEĺFATALE ĺTHEĺCRIMINAL ĺTHEĺFALL GUY ĺANDĺLOCATIONSĺTHEĺCITY ĺNIGHTĺTIME  !NDĺ YETĺ SOMEHOW ĺ üLMĺ NOIRĺ STILLĺ SEEMSĺ INSTANTLYĺ RECOGNISABLEĺ9OUĺ DONlTĺ HAVEĺ TOĺ READĺ THEĺ CRITICSĺ ORĺ KNOWĺ THEĺ TERMĺ küLMĺ NOIRlĺ TOĺ HAVEĺ GENERICĺ UNDER

PARALLAX VIEWS: AN INTRODUCTION

3

STANDINGĺ OFĺ Aĺ üLMĺ LIKEĺ The Killersĺ  ĺ pĺ ORĺ HOWĺ SUCHĺ Aĺ üLMĺ ISĺ DIFFERENTĺ TOĺ EITHERĺVERSIONĺOFĺOcean’s Elevenĺ ĺ ĺORĺThe Italian Jobĺ ĺ ĺ .OTĺ ALLĺ HEISTSĺ GOĺ WRONGĺ INĺ THEĺ WAYĺ THATĺ NOIRĺ IMAGINESĺ THEYĺ WILLĺ INĺ NOIRĺ ANDĺ NEO NOIR ĺ THEĺ HEISTĺ WILLĺ USUALLYĺ FAILĺ BECAUSEĺ THEĺ GANGĺ AREĺ GREEDY ĺ SELüSHĺ ANDĺ BACK STABBING ĺORĺBECAUSEĺTHEĺMATERIALĺWORLDĺSEEMSĺTOĺCONSPIREĺAGAINSTĺTHEIRĺ SUCCESSĺpĺNOTĺBECAUSEĺSOMEONEĺWASĺONLYĺSUPPOSEDĺTOĺBLOWĺTHEĺBLOODYĺDOORSĺ OFFĺ'ENREĺISĺABOUTĺmoreĺTHANĺTHEĺMEREĺPRESENCEĺOFĺAĺNARRATIVEĺEVENT ĺCHARACTERĺ TYPEĺORĺSTYLISTICĺTICĺ'ENREĺOPERATESĺACROSSĺTHEĺWHOLEĺOFĺTHEĺNARRATIVEĺWEĺMIGHTĺ SAYĺTHATĺGENREĺISĺAĺPARTICULARĺWAYĺOFĺIMAGININGĺAĺüCTIONALĺWORLDĺ4HUS ĺLOW KEYĺ LIGHTING ĺ EXPRESSIONISTĺ FRAMING ĺ HARD BOILEDĺ DIALOGUEĺ ORĺ Aĺ PERVADINGĺ SENSEĺ OFĺ ANXIETYĺAREĺNOT ĺINĺTHEMSELVES ĺENOUGHĺTOĺPUTĺYOUĺINĺTHEĺWORLDĺOFĺNOIRĺ"UTĺINĺ THEĺRIGHTĺCOMBINATION ĺONEĺWHICHĺSEEMSĺTOĺFUSEĺRATHERĺTHANĺSIMPLYĺCOMBINEĺ SUCHĺELEMENTS ĺüLMĺNOIRĺEMERGESĺ%VENĺIFĺWEĺNEVERĺCANĺAGREEĺQUITEĺWHEREĺORĺ WHENĺORĺHOWĺOFTENĺ )FĺSUCHĺPROBLEMSĺATTENDĺüLMĺNOIR ĺIMAGINEĺTHOSEĺPOSEDĺBYĺNEO NOIRĺ7HATĺISĺ NEO NOIRĺ7HATĺISĺTHEĺNATUREĺOFĺITSĺkNEWNESSlĺANDĺITSĺkNOIRNESSlĺ(OWĺAREĺTHEYĺ RELATEDĺ)SĺTHEĺTERMĺEVENĺUSEFULĺORĺNECESSARYĺ 4HEĺSIMPLESTĺEXPLANATIONĺOFĺORĺRETROSPECTIVEĺSTORYĺABOUT ĺNEO NOIRĺREQUIRESĺ üLMĺNOIRĺTOĺBEĺAĺ53ĺPHENOMENONĺ.EO NOIRĺCANĺTHENĺBEĺSEENĺTOĺEMERGEĺINĺTHEĺ LATEĺSĺANDĺEARLYĺSĺWHENĺ(OLLYWOOD ĺINĺüNANCIALĺCRISIS ĺTURNEDĺTOĺTHEĺ POSSIBILITIESĺOFĺAĺGENREĺTHATĺAPPEAREDĺTOĺHAVEĺDIEDĺOUTĺAĺDECADEĺEARLIERĺBEFOREĺ ITĺWASĺEVENĺIDENTIüEDĺINĺTHEĺ53ĺasĺAĺGENRE ĺBUTĺWHICHĺWASĺGAININGĺATTENTIONĺINĺ POPULARĺ ANDĺ ACADEMICĺ CRITICALĺ WRITINGĺ ABOUTĺ CLASSICALĺ (OLLYWOODĺ7HILEĺ üLMSĺ SUCHĺASĺHarperĺ ĺTony Romeĺ ĺMadiganĺ ĺANDĺMarloweĺ ĺ DIDĺLITTLEĺMOREĺTHANĺUPDATEĺTHEĺSETTINGĺOFĺTHEĺDETECTIVEĺSTORY ĺAĺNUMBERĺOFĺüLM MAKERSĺ MANYĺ OFĺ THEMĺ üLMĺ SCHOOLĺ GRADUATES ĺ FORMERĺ TELEVISIONĺ DIRECTORSĺ ORĺ %UROPEANĺémigrés ĺTOOKĺINSPIRATIONĺFROMĺTHEĺ&RENCHĺ.EWĺ7AVElSĺREVISIONINGĺOFĺ (OLLYWOODĺCRIMEĺüLMSĺANDĺSOUGHTĺTOĺREVITALISEĺTHEĺ!MERICANĺCRIMEĺüLM ĺOFTENĺ ALSOĺINCORPORATINGĺMODERNISTĺüLMĺTECHNIQUESĺDERIVEDĺFROMĺ%UROPEANĺARTHOUSEĺ CINEMAĺ)NĺTHISĺVERSIONĺOFĺTHEĺSTORY ĺTHEĺüRSTĺCYCLEĺOFĺNEO NOIRĺPRODUCTIONĺCANĺ BEĺFOUNDĺSOMEWHEREĺAMONGĺSUCHĺüLMSĺASĺSecondsĺ ĺBonnie and Clydeĺ  ĺ Point Blankĺ  ĺ Targetsĺ  ĺ The Anderson Tapesĺ  ĺ Kluteĺ  ĺSweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Songĺ ĺThe Offenceĺ ĺCharley Varrickĺ ĺThe Friends of Eddie Coyleĺ ĺThe Long Goodbyeĺ ĺ Serpicoĺ ĺThieves Like Usĺ ĺBadlandsĺ ĺChinatownĺ ĺThe Conversationĺ ĺThe Parallax Viewĺ ĺThe Taking of Pelham One Two Threeĺ ĺDog Day Afternoonĺ ĺANDĺTaxi Driverĺ ĺ!ĺSECONDĺCYCLEĺ WASĺ INAUGURATEDĺ INĺ THEĺ EARLYĺ Sĺ BYĺ THEĺ SUCCESSĺ OFĺ The Postman Always Rings Twiceĺ ĺANDĺBody Heatĺ ĺBOTHĺOFĺWHICHĺRENDEREDĺMOREĺEXPLICITĺ THEĺSEXUALĺTENSIONSĺUNDERPINNINGĺTHEIRĺSOURCESĺINĺ*AMESĺ-ĺ#AINlSĺNOVELSĺANDĺ EARLIERĺADAPTATIONSĺ)NĺSOMEĺSENSE ĺDESPITEĺSUBSEQUENTĺPEAKSĺANDĺTROUGHSĺOFĺ PRODUCTION ĺTHISĺSECONDĺCYCLEĺHASĺNEVERĺREALLYĺENDED ĺWITHĺTHEĺMAKERSĺOFĺCRIMEĺ

4

NEO-NOIR

THRILLERSĺANDĺEROTICĺTHRILLERSĺCONTINUALLYĺDRAWNĺTOĺpĺATĺTHEĺVERYĺLEASTĺpĺTHEĺVISUALĺ STYLEĺOFĺNOIR !LTHOUGHĺ USEFUL ĺ THISĺ THUMBNAILĺ HISTORYĺ OFĺ NEO NOIRĺ ISĺ FARĺ TOOĺ SIMPLEĺ ANDĺ UNILINEARĺ#RUCIALLY ĺITĺOVERLOOKSĺTHEĺGLOBALĺCIRCULATIONĺOFĺ(OLLYWOODĺCRIMEĺTHRILL ERSĺBOTHĺCLASSICALĺANDĺPOST CLASSICAL ĺANDĺOFĺTHEĺTERMĺküLMĺNOIRlĺANDĺTHEĺIMAGESĺ ANDĺIDEASĺASSOCIATEDĺWITHĺITĺ&ILMĺNOIRĺISĺOFTENĺCONCEPTUALISEDĺASĺAĺCOALESCENCEĺ OFĺ'ERMANĺ%XPRESSIONISM ĺ&RENCHĺPOETICĺREALISMĺANDĺ!MERICANĺHARD BOILEDĺüC TION ĺBUTĺTHEREĺISĺABSOLUTELYĺNOĺREASONĺTOĺSUPPOSEĺTHATĺTHEĺCULTURALĺEXCHANGESĺ STOPPEDĺWHENĺTHESEĺELEMENTSĺMETĺANDĺCOMBINEDĺINĺ,OSĺ!NGELESĺINĺTHEĺEARLYĺ Sĺ&ORĺEXAMPLE ĺISĺTHEREĺANYĺREASONĺBEYONDĺ53 CENTRICITYĺTOĺCONSIDERĺTirez sous le pianiste/Shoot the Pianistĺ ĺBande à partĺ ĺORĺLe Samouraïĺ  ĺASĺBRIDGESĺBETWEEN ĺRATHERĺTHANĺSIMPLYĺEXAMPLESĺOF ĺüLMĺNOIRĺORĺNEO NOIRĺ!Sĺ!NDREWĺ3PICERĺARGUES ĺüLMĺNOIRĺNEEDSĺTOĺBEĺUNDERSTOODĺkASĺAĺTRANS NATIONALĺCULTURALĺPHENOMENONlĺĺ ĺ$AVIDĺ$ESSERĺLIKEWISEĺCONTENDSĺTHATĺ küLMĺNOIRĺHASĺALWAYSĺBEENĺAĺGLOBALĺGENREĺORĺMODElĺĺ ĺANDĺDISCUSSESĺ TWOĺ TYPESĺ OFĺ NEO NOIRĺ NARRATIVE ĺ WHICHĺ CANĺ BEĺ TRACEDĺ THROUGHĺ GLOBALĺ CINEMAĺ pĺ IDENTIFYINGĺ Lung fu fong wan/City on Fireĺ  ĺ ASĺ THEĺ SOURCEĺ OFĺ THEĺ RE CENTĺkHEISTĺGOINGĺBADlĺCYCLEĺMOREĺOFTENĺATTRIBUTEDĺTOĺTHEĺINČUENCEĺOFĺReservoir Dogsĺ ĺANDĺüNDINGĺkCOUPLESĺONĺTHEĺRUNlĺINĺFuyajo/Sleepless Townĺ ĺ Adorenarin doraibu/Adrenaline Driveĺ ĺHy ry -gai/City of Lost Soulsĺ ĺ ANDĺHystericĺ  !ĺTRANSNATIONALĺGLOBALĺAPPROACHĺSUGGESTSĺAĺMOREĺCONTINUOUSĺMODEĺOFĺPRO DUCTIONĺ THANĺ THATĺ EXPERIENCEDĺ INĺ THEĺ 53ĺ CONTEXTĺ ALONEĺ4HISĺ MIGHTĺ SEEMĺ TOĺ NEGATEĺ THEĺ NEEDĺ FORĺ Aĺ SEPARATEĺ TERMĺ kNEO NOIRlĺ (OWEVER ĺ THEREĺ ISĺ ONEĺ OTHERĺ SIGNIüCANTĺDIFFERENCEĺBETWEENĺüLMĺNOIRĺANDĺNEO NOIRĺ7HILEĺMANYĺOFĺTHEĺMAK ERSĺOFĺüLMĺNOIRĺWOULDĺHAVEĺBEENĺCONSCIOUSĺOFĺTHEĺWORKĺOFĺTHEIRĺCONTEMPORARIESĺ ANDĺPREDECESSORS ĺNONEĺOFĺTHEMĺSETĺOUTĺTOĺMAKEĺSOMETHINGĺCALLEDĺküLMĺNOIRlĺ 3IMILARLY ĺANĺAUDIENCEĺMIGHTĺWELLĺHAVEĺBEENĺAWAREĺOFĺANĺARRAYĺOFĺCRIMEĺTHRILL ERSĺANDĺMELODRAMASĺLIKEĺTHEĺONEĺTHEYĺWEREĺWATCHING ĺBUTĺNONEĺOFĺTHEMĺKNEWĺ THEYĺWEREĺWATCHINGĺAĺüLMĺNOIRĺ4HEĺCONCEPTĺANDĺTHEĺCATEGORYĺSIMPLYĺDIDĺNOTĺ EXISTĺFORĺTHEMĺ.EO NOIRĺISĺMADEĺANDĺWATCHEDĺBYĺPEOPLEĺFAMILIARĺWITHĺTHEĺCON CEPTĺOFĺüLMĺNOIRĺ4HEĺCONVENTIONSĺHAVEĺENTEREDĺTHEĺIDIOMĺOFĺPOPULARĺCULTUREĺASĺ DEMONSTRATEDĺBYĺPASTICHESĺSUCHĺASĺDead Men Don’t Wear Plaidĺ ĺANDĺTHEĺ k#HARMEDĺ NOIRlĺ  ĺ EPISODEĺ OFĺ Charmedĺ p ĺ SEEĺ ALSOĺ .AREMOREĺ ĺp ĺ.EO NOIRĺKNOWSĺITSĺPASTĺ)TĺKNOWSĺTHEĺRULESĺOFĺTHEĺGAMEĺ 4HEĺDEGREEĺTOĺWHICHĺTHISĺAWARENESSĺISĺACKNOWLEDGEDĺVARIESĺGREATLYĺ&EWĺ üLMSĺ GOĺ ASĺ FARĺ ASĺ Femme Fataleĺ  ĺ INĺ WHICHĺ ,AUREĺ 2EBECCAĺ 2OMIJN 3TAMOS ĺWATCHESĺDouble Indemnityĺ ĺONĺTELEVISION ĺBUTĺMANYĺREFERĺINDI RECTLYĺ TOĺ THEĺ kCLASSICSlĺ THROUGHĺ COSTUMING ĺ mise-en-scène ĺ LIGHTING ĺ FRAMING ĺ DIALOGUEĺANDĺSOĺONĺTHINKĺOFĺTHEĺ7OMANĺINĺTHEĺ"LONDEĺ7IGĺ#HING HSIAĺ,IN ĺINĺ Chung Hing sam lam/Chungking Expressĺ  ĺ FORĺ EXAMPLEĺ4HEĺ POLARĺ EX TREMESĺ OFĺ SUCHĺ AWARENESSĺ CANĺ BEĺ EXPLOREDĺ THROUGHĺ Get Carterĺ  ĺ ANDĺ

PARALLAX VIEWS: AN INTRODUCTION

5

Noir in noir: Get Carter

Pulpĺ  ĺ pĺ BOTHĺ "RITISH ĺ BOTHĺ DIRECTEDĺ BYĺ -IKEĺ (ODGESĺ BEFOREĺ ANYĺ BROADĺ !NGLOPHONEĺ CONSENSUSĺ ABOUTĺ üLMĺ NOIRĺ ASĺ Aĺ GENREĺ HADĺ EMERGED ĺ BUTĺ DEM ONSTRATINGĺQUITEĺDIFFERENTĺkTAKESlĺONĺNEO NOIR ĺREČECTINGĺDIFFERENTĺNATIONALĺANDĺ TRANSNATIONALĺINČUENCES Get Carterĺ SHARESĺ MANYĺ TRAITSĺ WITHĺ THEĺ KINDSĺ OFĺ 53ĺ CRIMEĺ MOVIESĺ LISTEDĺ EARLIERĺASĺGENERATINGĺTHEĺüRSTĺCYCLEĺOFĺNEO NOIRĺ)TĺPROFFERSĺAĺPARTICULARLYĺBLEAKĺ VIEWĺOFĺTHEĺWORLD ĺEMPHASISEDĺBYĺLOCATIONĺSHOOTINGĺWHICHĺALSOĺLINKSĺITĺTOĺSEMI DOCUMENTARYĺNOIRS ĺSUCHĺASĺThe House on 92nd Streetĺ ĺANDĺTHEĺALIENAT INGĺEFFECTSĺOFĺZOOMĺLENSESĺITSĺSTYLISTICĺEXPERIMENTATIONĺANDĺSEXUALĺFRANKNESSĺ AREĺINČUENCEDĺBYĺ%UROPEANĺARTHOUSEĺCINEMAĺ!TĺTHEĺSAMEĺTIME ĺITĺISĺUNDOUBT EDLYĺAĺk"RITISHlĺüLM ĺCAREFULLYĺLOCATEDĺINĺNATIONALĺANDĺREGIONALĺCONTEXTSĺ,ONDON BASEDĺGANGLANDĺHEAVYĺ*ACKĺ#ARTERĺ-ICHAELĺ#AINE ĺRETURNSĺTOĺ.EWCASTLEĺFORĺHISĺ BROTHERlSĺFUNERALĺ(ISĺINVESTIGATIONĺREVEALSĺTHATĺHISĺBROTHERĺWASĺMURDEREDĺ!FTERĺ UNCOVERINGĺAĺWEBĺOFĺVICEĺANDĺCORRUPTION ĺ#ARTERĺREVENGESĺHIMSELFĺUPONĺTHOSEĺ WHOĺ HAVEĺ HARMEDĺ HISĺ FAMILYĺ!LTHOUGHĺ THEĺ NARRATIVEĺ ANDĺ ITSĺ DESOLATEĺ CONCLU SIONĺAREĺDISTINCTLYĺNOIRISH ĺTHEĺüLMĺESCHEWSĺTHEĺEXPRESSIONISTĺSTYLEĺOFĺüLMĺNOIRĺ pĺITĺMOREĺCLOSELYĺRESEMBLESĺTHEĺTRADITIONĺOFĺSĺSOCIALĺREALISM ĺTAKENĺATĺMO MENTSĺTOĺANĺALMOSTĺANTHROPOLOGICALĺEXTREMEĺpĺSOĺASĺBETTERĺTOĺCAPTUREĺTHEĺDECAYĺ ANDĺDERELICTIONĺOFĺTHEĺDECLININGĺNORTHERNĺCITYĺINĺWHICHĺITĺISĺSETĺ)NDEED ĺTHEĺONLYĺ HINTĺTHEĺüLMĺGIVESĺUSĺTHATĺITĺknowsĺITĺISĺWORKINGĺINĺTHISĺNARRATIVEĺTRADITIONĺpĺBE YOND ĺOFĺCOURSE ĺTHEĺCONSUMMATEĺSKILLĺWITHĺWHICHĺITĺDOESĺSOĺpĺAREĺTWOĺSHOTSĺ OFĺ #ARTER ĺ NORTHBOUNDĺ ONĺ Aĺ TRAIN ĺ READINGĺ 2AYMONDĺ #HANDLERlSĺ Farewell, My Lovelyĺ ĺNOTĺONLYĺALLUDINGĺTOĺTHEĺHARD BOILEDĺLITERARYĺROOTSĺOFĺüLMĺNOIRĺBUTĺ ALSOĺDEMONSTRATINGĺAĺSELF CONSCIOUSNESSĺABOUTĺ!MERICANĺNARRATIVEĺTRADITIONSĺINĺ Aĺ"RITISHĺCONTEXTĺ4HISĺISĺEMPHASISEDĺINĺTHEĺüRSTĺOFĺTHEĺTWOĺSHOTSĺ#ARTERĺISĺSIT TINGĺNEXTĺTOĺAĺYOUNGĺBOYĺREADINGĺAĺCOMICĺ4HEĺCOMPARISONĺREEKSĺOFĺTHEĺPOSTWARĺ

6

NEO-NOIR

DISMAYĺATĺTHEĺ!MERICANISATIONĺOFĺ"RITISHĺCULTUREĺANDĺMORALĺPANICSĺABOUTĺLITERACY ĺ CRIMEĺüCTIONĺANDĺCOMICS ĺWHILEĺALSOĺESTABLISHINGĺTHEĺGULFĺBETWEENĺüCTIONĺANDĺ kREALITYlĺ#OMPLEXĺASĺITĺIS ĺTHISĺISĺTHEĺONLYĺSUCHĺMOMENTĺINĺTHEĺüLM ĺANDĺITĺMIGHTĺ BEĺBESTĺDESCRIBEDĺASĺMINIMALLYĺFOREGROUNDEDĺSELF CONSCIOUSNESS )TSĺ MINIMALISMĺ BECOMESĺ PARTICULARLYĺ EVIDENTĺ WHENĺ CONTRASTEDĺ WITHĺ Pulp ĺ WHICHĺDEČATESĺNOIRĺINĺAĺRADICALLYĺDIFFERENTĺMANNERĺ)TĺREVELSĺINĺREČEXIVEĺGAME PLAYING ĺMETALEPTICĺSHENANIGANSĺANDĺAĺSENSEĺOFĺNEEDINGĺTOĺRENEWĺNOIRĺSOĺASĺ TOĺFORESTALLĺITĺBECOMINGĺMERELYĺAĺSELF ENCLOSED ĺGLAMOROUSĺANDĺNOSTALGICĺAES THETICĺ 0ROTAGONISTĺ #HESTERĺ4HOMASĺ +INGĺ -ICHAELĺ #AINE ĺ KNOWNĺ ASĺ -ICKEY ĺ ISĺAĺHACKĺWRITERĺOFĺPULPĺCRIMEĺüCTION ĺCHURNINGĺOUTĺNOVELSĺSUCHĺASĺMy Gun is Longĺ ANDĺ The Knee Trembler ĺ UNDERĺ ANĺ ARRAYĺ OFĺ PSEUDONYMSĺ 'UYĺ 3TRANGE ĺ 'ARYĺ2OUGH ĺ$ANĺ7ILD ĺ,ESĺ"EHAN ĺ3USANĺ%AGER ĺ0AULĺ3ĺ#UMMING ĺ$Rĺ/ĺ2ĺ 'ANNĺANDĺ3ĺ/DOMYĺ4HEĺüLMĺOPENSĺINĺAĺDICTATIONĺSERVICElSĺTYPINGĺPOOL ĺWITHĺ AĺMIDDLE AGEDĺWOMANĺTRANSCRIBINGĺ-ICKEYlSĺDESCRIPTIONĺOFĺAĺSEXĺSCENEĺ!SĺHEĺ REACHESĺTHEĺWORDS ĺk)ĺPUTĺMYĺHANDĺONĺHERal ĺTHEREĺISĺAĺCUTĺTOĺAĺLONGĺSHOTĺOFĺ THEĺROOMĺANDĺHISĺVOICEĺISĺDROWNEDĺOUTĺBYĺTHEĺSOUNDĺOFĺTYPEWRITERSĺ4HISĺGAGĺ ISĺREPEATEDĺASĺANOTHERĺWOMAN ĺTRANSCRIBINGĺAĺüGHTĺSCENE ĺREACHESĺk)ĺSMASHEDĺ MYĺKNEEĺINTOĺHISal ĺANDĺTWICEĺMOREĺASĺAĺüGHTĺSCENE ĺINĺWHICHĺTHEĺHEROĺWHIPSĺ ANOTHERĺ MAN ĺ BECOMESĺ Aĺ DESCRIPTIONĺ OFĺ QUEER ĺ 3-ĺ AROUSALĺ4HESEĺ INTERRUP TIONSĺOPENĺUPĺAĺCRITICALĺGAPĺBETWEENĺTHEĺMATERIALĺBEINGĺDESCRIBEDĺANDĺTHEĺüLMĺ ITSELF ĺWHICHĺISĺFURTHERĺEMPHASISEDĺBYĺ-ICHAELĺ#AINElSĺNARRATIONĺ(ISĺČATĺSOUTH EASTĺ,ONDONĺACCENTĺISĺPROFOUNDLYĺATĺODDSĺWITHĺ-ICKEYlSĺNARRATIVEĺVOICE ĺWHICHĺ SOUNDSĺLIKEĺAĺPASTICHEĺOFĺ-ICKEYĺ3PILLANE ĺANDĺHISĺBORED ĺALMOSTĺPERFUNCTORY ĺ DELIVERYĺISĺEQUALLYĺATĺODDSĺWITHĺTHEĺLURIDĺSUBJECTĺMATTERĺITĺDESCRIBESĺ4HISĺSERIESĺ OFĺDISJUNCTIONSĺISĺELABORATEDĺYETĺFURTHERĺWHENĺTHEĺüLMĺCUTSĺTOĺ-ICKEYĺ+INGĺSTEP PINGĺOUTĺOFĺAĺBUILDINGĺANDĺHAILINGĺAĺCAB ĺACTIONSĺWHICHĺINITIALLYĺMATCHĺTHEĺONGOINGĺ NARRATION ĺ ASĺ IFĺ ITĺ HASĺ SEAMLESSLYĺ SWITCHEDĺ FROMĺ HISĺ RECORDEDĺ DICTATIONĺ TOĺ HISĺ OWNĺVOICE OVERĺ1UICKLY ĺHOWEVER ĺHISĺEXPERIENCEĺOFĺTHEĺWORLDĺFALLSĺSHORTĺOFĺTHEĺ EFFORTLESSĺOCCUPATIONĺOFĺITĺHEĺDESCRIBESĺ -ICKEYĺ ISĺ HIREDĺ TOĺ GHOST WRITEĺ THEĺ MEMOIRSĺ OFĺ 0RESTONĺ 'ILBERTĺ -ICKEYĺ 2OONEY ĺAĺSELF OBSESSEDĺFORMERĺSTARĺOFĺ(OLLYWOODĺGANGSTERĺMOVIESĺWHO ĺINĺ EXILEĺONĺAĺ-EDITERRANEANĺISLAND ĺHASĺBECOMEĺINVOLVEDĺWITHĺLOCALĺFASCISTĺPOLITI CIANSĺ ANDĺ CRIMINALSĺ ,IKEĺ MANYĺ Aĺ NOIRĺ PROTAGONIST ĺ -ICKEYĺ ISĺ SOONĺ CAUGHTĺ UPĺ INĺ ANĺ ELABORATEĺ SERIESĺ OFĺ EVENTSĺ pĺ ATĺ ONEĺ POINTĺ HEĺ DESCRIBESĺ ITĺ ASĺ BEINGĺ kLIKEĺ SOMEĺPORNOGRAPHICĺPHOTOGRAPHĺDIFüCULTĺTOĺWORKĺOUTĺWHOĺWASĺDOINGĺWHATĺANDĺ TOĺWHOMlĺpĺOVERĺWHICHĺHEĺHASĺNOĺCONTROLĺANDĺWHICHĺMIGHTĺRESULTĺINĺHISĺDEATHĺ (OWEVER ĺTHISĺISĺNOTĺSOMEĺGRIMĺSTORYĺOFĺINESCAPABLEĺFATE ĺBUTĺANĺABSURDĺCOM EDYĺTHATĺOPENSĺUPĺAĺRIFTĺBETWEENĺNOIRĺROMANTICISATION ĺPULPĺMELODRAMAĺANDĺTHEĺ RIDICULOUS ĺRELENTLESSĺCOMEDYĺOFĺEVERYDAYĺLIFEĺ)TSĺABSURDITYĺMARKSĺITĺASĺQUITEĺ DIFFERENTĺ FROMĺ Get Carter ĺ BUTĺ ITSĺ SELF REČEXIVITYĺ LINKSĺ ITĺ MOREĺ DIRECTLYĺ TOĺ THEĺ MODERNISTĺTRADITIONĺOFĺüLMSĺSUCHĺASĺÀ bout de souffle/Breathlessĺ ĺBande à partĺANDĺPoint Blank

PARALLAX VIEWS: AN INTRODUCTION

7

.EO NOIR ĺUNLIKEĺSOĺMANYĺOFĺITSĺPROTAGONISTS ĺISĺHARDLYĺLACKINGĺINĺSELF KNOWL EDGE ĺ ANDĺ BETWEENĺ THEĺ POLESĺ OFĺ MINIMALĺ ANDĺ EXCESSIVEĺ SELF CONSCIOUSNESSĺ EXEMPLIüEDĺBYĺ(ODGESlĺTWOĺüLMS ĺITĺREWORKS ĺWORKSĺUP ĺWORKSĺOVER ĺWORKSĺWITHĺ ANDĺWORKSĺAGAINSTĺCLASSICALĺNOIRĺ)TĺKNOWSĺHOWĺTOĺBEĺNOIRĺ)TĺKNOWSĺTHATĺPEOPLEĺ AREĺRARELYĺASĺGOODĺAS ĺANDĺOFTENĺFARĺWORSEĺTHAN ĺWEĺMIGHTĺWISHĺ)TĺKNOWSĺTHATĺ EVENĺTHEĺSIMPLESTĺPLANSĺGOĺWRONGĺ)TĺKNOWSĺTHATĺTRUSTĺISĺINĺSHORTĺSUPPLYĺANDĺTHATĺ OURĺDESIRESĺFARĺEXCEEDĺOURĺTALENTSĺ!NDĺITĺKNOWSĺTHATĺITĺKNOWSĺTHESEĺTHINGSĺ"UTĺ THISĺDOESĺNOTĺNECESSARILYĺMAKEĺNEO NOIRĺANYĺMOREĺKNOWABLEĺTHANĺüLMĺNOIRĺ 4HEREFORE ĺINĺBRINGINGĺTOGETHERĺTHEĺFOLLOWINGĺESSAYS ĺWEĺHAVEĺNOTĺSOUGHTĺTOĺ IMPOSEĺSOMEĺORTHODOXYĺONĺWHATĺCONSTITUTESĺNEO NOIRĺBUTĺRATHER ĺASĺTHEĺTITLEĺOFĺ THISĺESSAYĺSUGGESTS ĺTOĺBRINGĺTOĺBEARĺMULTIPLEĺPERSPECTIVESĺONĺAĺSUBJECTĺWHOSEĺ NATUREĺCHANGESĺDEPENDINGĺUPONĺTHEĺPOSITIONĺFROMĺWHICHĺONEĺISĺVIEWINGĺITĺ&ORĺ EXAMPLE ĺANALYSISĺCANĺSTARTĺFROMĺTHEĺCORPUS ĺLOOKINGĺATĺPATTERNSĺOFĺREPRESENTA TIONĺACROSSĺAĺRANGEĺOFĺüLMS ĺSUCHĺASĺTYPICALĺNARRATIVEĺSTRUCTURES ĺCHARACTERĺTYPESĺ ORĺSTYLISTICĺCONVENTIONSĺ!LTERNATIVELY ĺITĺCANĺFOCUSĺONĺONEĺORĺTWOĺkTOUCHSTONElĺ TEXTS ĺEXAMINEDĺASĺBEING ĺINĺSOMEĺSENSE ĺTYPICALĺORĺPARADIGMATICĺ)NĺTHISĺCOL LECTION ĺWEĺHAVEĺSOUGHTĺTOĺACHIEVEĺAĺBALANCEĺBETWEENĺTHEĺTWO ĺBEGINNINGĺWITHĺ THEĺGENERALĺpĺ+ATHRINAĺ'LITRElSĺDISCUSSIONĺOFĺTHEĺIMPLICATIONSĺOFĺTHEĺSHIFTĺFROMĺ BLACK AND WHITEĺNOIRĺTOĺCOLOURĺNEO NOIRĺpĺANDĺENDINGĺWITHĺTHEĺSPECIüCĺpĺ$EBORAHĺ 4HOMASlSĺANALYSISĺOFĺMementoĺ ĺAĺüLMĺWHICH ĺLIKEĺThe Lookout ĺREQUIRESĺ ITSĺPROTAGONISTĺTOĺMAKEĺSENSEĺOFĺTHEĺWORLDĺBYĺTELLINGĺSTORIESĺ (OWEVER ĺASĺWITHĺTHEĺNARRATIVESĺOFĺSOĺMANYĺOFĺTHESEĺüLMS ĺTHEĺJOURNEYĺFROMĺ THEĺGENERALĺTOĺTHEĺSPECIüCĺDOESĺNOTĺPROCEEDĺINĺAĺSIMPLEĺANDĺLINEARĺFASHION ĺBUTĺ COMBINESĺ ELEMENTSĺ OFĺ BOTHĺ METHODSĺ4HEĺ VIEWSĺ TAKENĺ AREĺ ALSOĺ AFFECTEDĺ BYĺ THEORETICALĺPERSPECTIVESĺ-ARXIST ĺFEMINIST ĺPSYCHOANALYTICĺ-OSTĺESSAYSĺRETAINĺ Aĺ53 CENTRICĺAPPROACHĺINCLUDINGĺ53ĺCO PRODUCTIONS ĺBUTĺOTHERSĺESCHEWĺSUCHĺ BIASĺENTIRELYĺ4HUS ĺTHEĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺpĺFORĺMANY ĺTHEĺICONĺOFĺNOIRĺpĺISĺDISCUSSEDĺ INĺVERYĺDIFFERENTĺWAYSĺBYĺ,INDAĺ2UTHĺ7ILLIAMS ĺ2EBECCAĺ&EASEYĺANDĺ3UZYĺ'OR DONĺ7ILLIAMSĺPOSITIONSĺTHEĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺASĺkREVENGERlĺWITHINĺTHREEĺMODESĺOFĺ 53ĺNEO NOIRĺFAMILYĺNOIR ĺCORPORATEĺNOIRĺANDĺTEENĺNOIRĺ&EASEYĺFOCUSESĺONĺTHEĺ EXTRATEXTUALĺCIRCULATIONĺOFĺ3HARONĺ3TONElSĺSTARĺIMAGEĺASĺINEXTRICABLYĺBOUNDĺUPĺ WITHĺBasic InstinctlSĺ ĺ#ATHERINEĺ4RAMELL ĺNEO NOIRĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺpar excellenceĺ 'ORDONĺ MOVESĺ BEYONDĺ THEĺ 53ĺ HORIZON ĺ TOĺ ANALYSEĺ TWOĺ üLMSĺ MADEĺ BYĺ WOMENĺFROMĺ.EWĺ:EALAND ĺCrushĺ ĺANDĺIn the Cutĺ ĺFOCUSINGĺONĺTHEĺ WAYSĺINĺWHICHĺTHESEĺüLMSĺANDĺThe Last Seductionĺ ĺREQUIREĺUSĺTOĺRETHINKĺ ESTABLISHEDĺFEMINIST PSYCHOANALYTICĺACCOUNTSĺOFĺANXIETYĺINĺNOIRĺ!NXIETYĺISĺALSOĺ ANĺISSUEĺINĺ3HERRYLĺ6INTĺANDĺ-ARKĺ"OULDlSĺESSAY ĺüGUREDĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺDAMAGEDĺ BODIESĺOFĺTHEĺMALEĺPROTAGONISTSĺINĺFight Clubĺ ĺANDĺThe Machinistĺ ĺ THEYĺTAKEĺAĺ-ARXISTĺPERSPECTIVE ĺLINKINGĺTHEĺkANOREXICĺSUBJECTIVITYlĺOFĺTHESEĺPRO TAGONISTSĺTOĺALIENATIONĺUNDERĺCONSUMERĺCAPITALISMĺ #OMPARATIVEĺFRAMEWORKSĺAREĺUSEDĺBYĺ#ARLĺ&REEDMAN ĺ%DWARDĺ'ALLAFENTĺANDĺ (ELENĺ (ANSON ĺ TOĺ ARTICULATEĺ THEĺ DIFFERENCESĺ BETWEENĺ THEĺ OLDĺ ANDĺ NEWĺ pĺ NOTĺ

8

NEO-NOIR

SIMPLYĺBETWEENĺüLMĺNOIRĺANDĺNEO NOIR ĺBUTĺALSOĺBETWEENĺSĺkMODERNISTlĺNOIRĺ ANDĺ Sĺ kPOSTMODERNISTlĺ NOIRĺ &REEDMANĺ CONSIDERSĺ THEĺ WAYĺ INĺ WHICHĺ Body HeatlSĺREVISIONINGĺOFĺDouble IndemnityĺDISPLACESĺLABOURĺWITHĺLEISUREĺPARTICULAR LYĺSEX ĺBRINGINGĺAĺ-ARXISTĺPERSPECTIVEĺTOĺBEAR ĺASĺWELLĺASĺAĺSENSITIVITYĺTOĺSPECIüCĺ HISTORICALĺCONTEXTSĺ'ALLAFENTĺCONSIDERSĺAĺPARTICULARĺMOMENTĺINĺTIME ĺTOĺEXPLOREĺ HOWĺJagged Edgeĺ ĺANDĺTo Live and Die in L.A.ĺ ĺREARTICULATEĺGENRE ĺ ARGUINGĺTHATĺTHEĺüLMSĺINVOKEĺSIGNSĺOFĺNOIR ĺONLYĺkTOĺPROCLAIMĺTHEIRĺDISTANCEĺFROMĺ CLASSICALĺ NOIRlĺ (ANSONĺ FOCUSESĺ ONĺ SOUNDĺ INĺ 53ĺ NEO NOIR ĺ BUTĺ PARTICULARLYĺ THEĺ WAYSĺINĺWHICHĺSĺCONSPIRACYĺüLMS ĺSUCHĺASĺKluteĺANDĺThe Conversation ĺEX PERIMENTEDĺWITHĺSOUNDĺTOĺCREATEĺCOMPLEXĺSOUNDĺSTYLESĺTHATĺEVOKEĺTHEĺTHEMEĺ OFĺPARANOIAĺTHISĺISĺCOMPAREDĺTOĺTHEĺUSEĺOFĺOLD FASHIONEDĺSTANDARDSĺINĺSĺ THRILLERS ĺSUCHĺASĺBody HeatĺANDĺSomeone to Watch Over Meĺ ĺTOĺEVOKEĺ Aĺ MOREĺ REASSURINGĺ MOODĺ OFĺ NOSTALGIAĺ 2OBERTĺ -IKLITSCHĺ ALSOĺ CONSIDERSĺ MUSICĺ ANDĺSOUNDĺINĺ53ĺNEO NOIR ĺBUTĺFOCUSESĺONĺTHEĺkNEO MODERNISTlĺPERIODĺOFĺTHEĺLATEĺ SĺANDĺS ĺANALYSINGĺAĺNUMBERĺOFĺüLMSĺINĺCLOSEĺDETAILĺ 4OĺBEGINĺTOĺČESHĺOUTĺTHEĺTRANSNATIONALĺASPECTSĺOFĺNEO NOIRĺpĺANDĺTHISĺISĺONLYĺ Aĺ STARTĺ pĺ 'INETTEĺ6INCENDEAU ĺ -IKEĺ7AYNEĺ ANDĺ (YANGJINĺ ,EEĺ EXPLOREĺ NON 53ĺ üLMSĺ6INCENDEAUlSĺEXPLORATIONĺOFĺTHEĺCHANGINGĺREPRESENTATIONĺOFĺTHEĺ0ARISIANĺ kLOWERĺDEPTHSlĺDRAWSĺONĺAĺWIDEĺRANGEĺOFĺ&RENCHĺpoliciersĺANDĺCRIMEĺüLMS ĺFROMĺ THEĺPOPULISTĺPOETICĺREALISTĺüLMSĺOFĺTHEĺS ĺTOĺ*EAN 0IERREĺ-ELVILLElSĺSTYLISEDĺ kBLACK AND WHITE IN COLOURlĺüLMSĺOFĺTHEĺSĺANDĺS ĺFOCUSINGĺINĺDETAILĺONĺ THEĺLASTĺĺYEARSĺ(ERĺESSAYĺALSOĺHASĺTHEĺADVANTAGEĺOFĺPAYINGĺTHEĺMOSTĺCON CERTEDĺATTENTIONĺTOĺTHEĺULTIMATEĺNOIRĺMILIEUĺpĺTHEĺCITYĺ7AYNElSĺFOCUSĺONĺREIüCA TIONĺCONSIDERSĺBOTHĺTEXTĺANDĺCONTEXT ĺSPECIüCALLYĺTHEĺINDUSTRIALĺCONTEXTĺOFĺ"RITISHĺ üLMĺDISTRIBUTIONĺANDĺTHEĺWAYSĺINĺWHICHĺWEĺMIGHTĺTHINKĺOFĺGAMBLINGĺASĺAĺCENTRALĺ METAPHORĺ INĺ BOTHĺ NEO NOIRĺ ANDĺ LATEĺ CAPITALISMĺ ,EElSĺ ESSAYĺ MAPSĺ OUTĺ CROSS CULTURALĺEXCHANGESĺINĺTHEĺGANGSTERĺNEO NOIRSĺOFĺ*APAN ĺ(ONGĺ+ONGĺANDĺ3OUTHĺ +OREAĺ ASĺ THEYĺ ARTICULATEĺ7ESTERNĺ ANDĺ TRANSNATIONALĺ NARRATIVEĺ FORMSĺ WITHĺ LOCALĺ #ONFUCIANĺTRADITIONS !NOTHERĺFACETĺOFĺGENERICĺPRODUCTIONĺANDĺCIRCULATIONĺISĺILLUMINATEDĺBYĺ'REGĺ 3INGHlSĺESSAYĺONĺWAYSĺINĺWHICHĺüLMĺNOIRĺISĺPREüGUREDĺINĺTHEĺMax PayneĺVID EOGAMEĺFRANCHISEĺ3PECIüCALLY ĺ3INGHĺISĺINTERESTEDĺINĺTHEĺAFFECTIVEĺRESPONSESĺOFĺ THEĺSINGLEĺPLAYERĺGAMEĺ'REGĺ4UCKĺISĺALSOĺCONCERNEDĺWITHĺAFFECTIVEĺRESPONSESĺ pĺNAMELY ĺTHEĺAFFECTĺOFĺBLACKĺCOMEDYĺWITHINĺNEO NOIRĺ0ROVIDINGĺAĺVALUABLEĺWAYĺ OFĺTHINKINGĺABOUTĺDIFFERENTĺTYPESĺOFĺHUMOUR ĺ4UCKĺCONNECTSĺ$AVIDĺ,YNCHĺANDĺTHEĺ #OENĺBROTHERS ĺKEYĺNEO NOIRĺüLMMAKERS ĺTOĺSURREALISTĺBLACKĺCOMEDY ĺWHILEĺDIS TINGUISHINGĺ1UENTINĺ4ARANTINOlSĺBRANDĺOFĺHUMOURĺASĺMOREĺkSENTIMENTALlĺ !TĺTHEĺENDĺOFĺThe Lookout ĺ#HRISĺDOESĺINDEEDĺSAVEĺHISĺFRIENDĺANDĺHIMSELF ĺ BUTĺTHEREĺAREĺNONETHELESSĺUNEXPECTEDĺOUTCOMESĺpĺHEĺWASĺNOTĺNARRATINGĺBACK WARDSĺ FROMĺ Aĺ üXEDĺ UNIVERSALĺ POINTĺ BUTĺ FROMĺ THEĺ LOCALISED ĺ CONTINGENTĺ ENDINGĺ UPONĺWHICHĺHEĺHADĺSETTLEDĺ,IKEWISE ĺWEĺHAVEĺNOTĺASPIREDĺTOĺPRODUCEĺTHEĺüNALĺ WORDĺ ONĺ NEO NOIR ĺ BUTĺ HAVEĺ ATTEMPTEDĺ TOĺ OFFERĺ MULTIPLEĺ WAYSĺ INĺ $ESPITEĺ OURĺ

PARALLAX VIEWS: AN INTRODUCTION

9

BESTĺEFFORTS ĺTHEREĺAREĺNEGLECTEDĺAREAS ĺNOTABLYĺ,ATINĺ!MERICANĺNEO NOIR ĺQUEERĺ SEXUALITYĺANDĺNEO NOIR ĺANDĺNEO NOIRĺTELEVISIONĺ4HEREĺWILLĺUNDOUBTEDLYĺBEĺüLMSĺ DISCUSSEDĺ THATĺ SOMEĺ WILLĺ DISPUTEĺ AREĺ NEO NOIRĺ pĺ ANDĺ OTHERSĺ OMITTEDĺ THATĺ WILLĺ SEEMĺTOĺSOMEĺLIKEĺGLARINGLYĺOBVIOUSĺOVERSIGHTSĺ"UTĺTHATlSĺGENREĺFORĺYOUĺTHEREĺ AREĺANYĺNUMBERĺOFĺWAYSĺIN ĺBUTĺTHEREĺMAYĺVERYĺWELLĺBEĺNOĺWAYĺOUT

NOTE 1ĺĺ (OWEVER ĺMANYĺIFĺNOTĺALLĺGENRESĺAREĺNAMEDĺRETROSPECTIVELYĺONCEĺAĺPATTERNĺOFĺPRODUC

TIONĺANDORĺCONSUMPTIONĺISĺESTABLISHEDĺ&ORĺEXAMPLE ĺFEWĺWOULDĺDISPUTEĺTHATĺ*ULESĺ 6ERNEĺ ANDĺ (ĺ 'ĺ7ELLSĺ WEREĺ WRITINGĺ SCIENCEĺ üCTIONĺ DECADESĺ BEFOREĺ THEĺ TERMĺ WASĺ COINEDĺBYĺ(UGOĺ'ERNSBACKĺINĺTHEĺLATEĺSĺORĺTHATĺTHEĺTERMĺkSLASHERlĺCOULDĺONLYĺ COMEĺINTOĺUSEĺAFTERĺHalloweenĺ ĺFriday the 13thĺ ĺANDĺTHEIRĺIMITATORSĺWEREĺ INĺCIRCULATION

REFERENCES !LTMAN ĺ2ICKĺ ĺThe American Film Musicalĺ"LOOMINGTONĺ)NDIANAĺ5NIVERSITYĺ0RESS $ERRIDA ĺ*ACQUESĺ ĺk4HEĺ,AWĺOFĺ'ENREl ĺCritical Inquiry ĺ ĺ ĺp $ESSER ĺ$AVIDĺ ĺk'LOBALĺ.OIRĺ'ENREĺ&ILMĺINĺTHEĺ!GEĺOFĺ4RANSNATIONALISMl ĺINĺ"ARRYĺ +EITHĺ'RANTĺED ĺFilm Genre Reader IIIĺ!USTINĺ5NIVERSITYĺOFĺ4EXASĺ0RESS ĺpĺ .AREMORE ĺ*AMESĺ ĺMore than Night: Film Noir in Its Contextsĺ,ONDONĺ5NIVERSITYĺ OFĺ#ALIFORNIAĺ0RESS .EALE ĺ3TEVEĺ ĺGenre and Hollywoodĺ,ONDONĺ2OUTLEDGEĺ 3PICER ĺ!NDREWĺ  ĺ k)NTRODUCTIONl ĺ INĺ!NDREWĺ 3PICERĺ ED European Film Noirĺ -AN CHESTERĺ-ANCHESTERĺ5NIVERSITYĺ0RESS ĺpĺ 3TAIGER ĺ *ANETĺ ĺ ;= ĺ k(YBRIDĺ ORĺ )NBREDĺ4HEĺ 0URITYĺ (YPOTHESISĺ ANDĺ (OLLYWOODĺ 'ENREĺ(ISTORYl ĺINĺ"ARRYĺ+EITHĺ'RANTĺED ĺFilm Genre Reader IIIĺ!USTINĺ5NIVERSITYĺOFĺ 4EXASĺ0RESS ĺp

10

NEO-NOIR

1 Under the Neon Rainbow: Colour and Neo-Noir KATHRINA GLITRE

4HEĺDIFüCULTIESĺOFĺWRITINGĺABOUTĺCOLOURĺINĺüLMĺAREĺMANIFOLDĺ#ONSIDERĺ2EDĺ2OCKĺ 7ESTĺ ĺ)Nĺ ĺ)ĺDESCRIBEDĺTHEĺüLMĺINĺMYĺDIARYĺASĺküLMĺNOIRĺpĺORĺRATHERĺ üLMĺORANGEĺpĺTHATĺGOLDENĺLIGHTĺTHATĺPERVADESĺSUCHĺHEATED ĺTENSEĺüLMSl ĺAFTERĺ SEEINGĺ ITĺ INĺ Aĺ RUN DOWNĺ CINEMAĺ ONĺ4IMESĺ 3QUAREĺ 2E WATCHINGĺITĺ ONĺ $6$ ĺĺ YEARSĺLATER ĺ)ĺAMĺDISAPPOINTEDĺTHEĺüLMĺSEEMSĺTOOĺBRIGHT ĺTOOĺWHITE ĺMOREĺBLUEĺ THANĺ)ĺREMEMBEREDĺ!NDĺNOTĺORANGEĺATĺALLĺ4HISĺISĺNOTĺJUSTĺMYĺMEMORYĺPLAYINGĺ TRICKSĺ ONĺ ME ĺ ALTHOUGHĺ MEMORYĺ ISĺ UNDOUBTEDLYĺ PARTĺ OFĺ HOWĺ WEĺ UNDERSTANDĺ COLOURĺANDĺNEO NOIR ĺ)TĺISĺNOTĺJUSTĺPHYSIOLOGICAL ĺALTHOUGHĺTHISĺTOOĺPLAYSĺITSĺPARTĺ COLOURĺISĺAĺTRICKĺOFĺTHEĺLIGHT ĺTHEĺEYEĺANDĺTHEĺBRAIN ĺ.ORĺISĺITĺSIMPLYĺTECHNOLOGI CAL ĺREDUCINGĺTHEĺRESOLUTIONĺFROMĺCELLULOIDĺTOĺ$6$ ĺAVERAGINGĺTHEĺANALOGUEĺRESO NANCEĺTOĺSUITĺAĺDIGITALĺSPECTRUMĺ)NDEED ĺTHEĺüLMlSĺORIGINALĺCOLOURĺMAYĺJUSTĺHAVEĺ FADEDĺWITHĺTIMEĺASĺ$E,UXEĺüLMĺSTOCKĺISĺPRONEĺTOĺDO ĺ #OLOURĺISĺOBJECTIVEĺANDĺSUBJECTIVEĺ)TĺISĺRELATIVE ĺCULTURALĺANDĺSPECIüCĺWHATĺ )ĺCALLĺREDĺWILLĺAPPEARĺTOĺBEĺTHEĺSAMEĺASĺGREENĺTOĺSOMEONEĺWHOĺISĺCOLOURĺBLINDĺ WHATĺ)ĺCALLĺMAGENTA ĺYOUĺMAYĺCALLĺPINKĺWHATĺ)ĺCALLĺSHOCKINGĺPINKĺMAYĺNOTĺkSHOCKlĺ YOUĺATĺALLĺ!MIDSTĺTHESEĺCOMPLEXITIES ĺITĺISĺSTILLĺNECESSARYĺTOĺWRITEĺABOUTĺCOLOURĺ INĺNEO NOIRĺ#OLOURĺPLAYSĺANĺIMPORTANTĺPARTĺ

Flashback )NĺTHEĺGAPĺBETWEENĺTHEĺCLASSICĺANDĺMODERNISTĺCYCLESĺOFĺüLMĺNOIR ĺTHEĺSWITCHĺ TOĺCOLOURĺTELEVISIONĺMID S ĺMEANTĺTHATĺCOLOURĺüLMĺSTOCKĺBECAMEĺkVIRTUALLYĺ UNIVERSALlĺ.EALEĺĺ ĺTHROUGHOUTĺTHEĺ(OLLYWOODĺüLMĺINDUSTRYĺ)NĺAĺSENSE ĺ THEN ĺTHISĺCHANGINGĺTECHNOLOGICALĺEXPECTATIONĺREQUIREDĺNEO NOIRĺTOĺkREMEDIATElĺ CLASSICĺNOIRĺ"EFOREĺCONSIDERINGĺWHATĺKINDĺOFĺSTRATEGIESĺNEO NOIRĺUSESĺTOĺREPRE SENTĺTHEĺNOIRĺWORLDĺINĺCOLOURĺAND ĺINĺTURN ĺHOWĺTHISĺAFFECTSĺTHEĺNEO NOIRĺWORLD ĺ

COLOUR AND NEO-NOIR

11

WEĺ NEEDĺ TOĺ REČECTĺ ONĺ THEĺ CENTRALITYĺ OFĺ BLACK AND WHITENESSĺ TOĺ CRITICALĺ ARGU MENTSĺABOUTĺüLMĺNOIRĺ )TĺISĺAĺCRITICALĺCOMMONPLACEĺTOĺNOTEĺTHATĺANĺkEXPRESSIONISTlĺSTYLEĺISĺFUNDA MENTALĺTOĺüLMĺNOIRĺ7HATEVERĺELSEĺüLMĺNOIRĺMAYĺBEĺpĺAĺGENRE ĺAĺCYCLE ĺAĺCRITICALĺ CONSTRUCTIONĺpĺITĺISĺMOSTĺIMMEDIATELYĺRECOGNISEDĺTHROUGHĺITSĺSTYLISTICĺMOTIFS ĺASĺ CATALOGUEDĺINĺMOODYĺPROSEĺBYĺANYĺNUMBERĺOFĺSCHOLARSĺ4HEĺUSEĺOFĺCHIAROSCUROĺ LIGHTINGĺISĺFREQUENTLYĺCOMMENTEDĺON ĺBUTĺITĺISĺLESSĺOFTENĺNOTEDĺTHATĺSUCHĺLIGHT INGĺISĺPARTICULARLYĺSUITEDĺTOĺBLACK AND WHITEĺüLMĺ"LACK AND WHITEĺISĺUSUALLYĺDE SCRIBEDĺASĺMONOCHROMATICĺkONEĺCOLOURl ĺBUTĺITĺISĺALSOĺACHROMATICĺkWITHOUTĺCOL OURl ĺ-ONOCHROMATICĺIMAGESĺHAVEĺONEĺTONALĺSCALE ĺINĺTHISĺCASEĺFROMĺWHITEĺTOĺ BLACK ĺTHROUGHĺSHADESĺOFĺGREYĺTHISĺSCALEĺISĺABOUTĺBRIGHTNESSĺpĺPRECISELYĺABOUTĺ DEGREESĺ OFĺ LIGHTĺ CHIARO ĺ ANDĺ DARKĺ SCURO ĺ #ONSEQUENTLY ĺ ASĺ 2UDOLFĺ !RNHEIMĺ NOTES ĺkINĺBLACK AND WHITEĺüLMĺTHEREĺISĺBUTĺONEĺWAYĺTOĺACHIEVEĺEXTREMEĺCON TRASTĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺDIFFERENCEĺBETWEENĺBLACKĺANDĺWHITElĺĺ ĺ#HIAROSCUROĺ LIGHTINGĺRELIESĺONĺSUCHĺCONTRASTSĺSOURCESĺOFĺBRIGHTĺLIGHTĺANDĺPOOLSĺOFĺDARKNESSĺ OMINOUSĺSHADOWSĺTHROWNĺONĺPLAIN ĺPALEĺWALLSĺ4HESEĺLOW KEYĺEFFECTSĺAREĺCRUCIALĺ TOĺTHEĺEXPRESSIONĺOFĺTHEĺCLASSICĺNOIRĺWORLDlSĺMORALĺAMBIVALENCEĺANDĺPARANOIA ĺ REVEALINGĺASĺITĺOBSCURESĺWHATĺLURKSĺINĺTHEĺSHADOWSĺ4HEĺNOIRĺWORLDĺISĺAĺTREACH EROUSĺPLACE ĺWHEREĺINTERNALĺANXIETIESĺBLEEDĺOUT ĺDISRUPTINGĺREALISMĺINĺFAVOURĺOFĺ EXPRESSIONISTĺSTYLISATIONĺ!TĺTHEĺSAMEĺTIME ĺHOWEVER ĺTHEĺHARDĺCONTRASTĺCREATEDĺ BYĺSUCHĺLOW KEYĺLIGHTINGĺALSOĺCONNOTESĺAĺSENSEĺOFĺkTOUGHNESSl ĺWELL SUITEDĺTOĺ THEĺHARD BOILEDĺNARRATIVES 4HISĺSTARTSĺTOĺEXPLAINĺWHYĺüLMĺNOIRĺWASĺINĺBLACK AND WHITEĺ/THERĺCOMMONĺ EXPLANATIONSĺOFĺNOIRĺSTYLEĺINCLUDEĺBUDGETARYĺCONSTRAINTS ĺWAR TIMEĺRATIONINGĺOFĺ ELECTRICITYĺ ANDĺ üLMĺ STOCK ĺ ANDĺ THEĺ INČUENCEĺ OFĺ ÀMIGRÀĺ DIRECTORSĺ SUCHĺ ASĺ &RITZĺ ,ANG ĺ2OBERTĺ3IODMAKĺANDĺ/TTOĺ0REMINGERĺ)TĺISĺWORTHĺTAKINGĺAĺMOMENTĺTOĺRE ČECTĺFURTHERĺEVENĺAĺHIGH BUDGETĺ! PICTUREĺLIKEĺ4HEĺ"IGĺ3LEEPĺ ĺDIRECTEDĺBYĺ ANĺ!MERICANĺDIRECTOR ĺ(OWARDĺ(AWKS ĺWASĺINĺBLACK AND WHITEĺ7HYĺ4HEĺ4ECH NICOLORĺTHREE STRIPĺPROCESSĺHADĺBEENĺAROUNDĺSINCEĺTHEĺEARLYĺS ĺPRODUCINGĺ üLMSĺSUCHĺASĺ4HEĺ7IZARDĺOFĺ/Zĺ ĺ'ONEĺWITHĺTHEĺ7INDĺ ĺANDĺ$ISNEYlSĺ COLOURĺANIMATIONSĺ"UTĺTHESEĺüLMSĺWEREĺASSOCIATEDĺWITHĺFANTASYĺANDĺSPECTACLE ĺ NOTĺ REALISMĺ 0ARADOXICALLY ĺ THEĺ CONVENTIONSĺ OFĺ REALISMĺ CONTINUEDĺ TOĺ PRIVILEGEĺ BLACK AND WHITEĺ üLMĺ WELLĺ INTOĺ THEĺ Sĺ ANDĺ BEYOND ĺ ESPECIALLYĺ FORĺ kSERIOUSlĺ DRAMASĺANDĺSOCIALĺPROBLEMĺüLMSĺSEEĺ.AREMOREĺĺp ĺ#OLOURĺpĺLIKEĺ SPECTACLEĺMOREĺGENERALLYĺpĺWASĺASSOCIATEDĺWITHĺFEMININITY ĺESCAPISMĺANDĺTHEĺ kEXOTIClĺ/THERĺSEEĺ.EALEĺĺp ĺ 5NSURPRISINGLY ĺTHEN ĺTHEĺFEWĺCOLOURĺüLMSĺFROMĺTHEĺPERIODĺTHATĺHAVEĺBEENĺ DESCRIBEDĺASĺüLMĺNOIRĺAREĺOFTENĺCENTRALLYĺCONCERNEDĺWITHĺWOMENĺ,EAVEĺ(ERĺ TOĺ(EAVENĺ ĺ.IAGARAĺ ĺ3LIGHTLYĺ3CARLETĺ ĺ!ĺ+ISSĺ"EFOREĺ$YINGĺ  ĺANDĺ0ARTYĺ'IRLĺ ĺ-OSTĺüLMĺNOIRĺCRITICSĺTREATĺTHESEĺüLMSĺASĺMARGINALĺ EXAMPLESĺpĺNOT ĺ)ĺSUSPECT ĺJUSTĺBECAUSEĺTHEYĺAREĺINĺCOLOUR ĺORĺBECAUSEĺTHEYĺAREĺ ABOUTĺ WOMEN ĺ ORĺ BECAUSEĺ THEYĺ EMPHASISEĺ PSYCHOLOGICALĺ MELODRAMAĺ RATHERĺ

12

NEO-NOIR

THANĺHARD BOILEDĺCRIME ĺBUTĺBECAUSEĺOFĺTHEĺWAYSĺINĺWHICHĺTHESEĺTHREEĺASPECTSĺ MUTUALLYĺREINFORCEĺEACHĺOTHERlSĺ/THERNESSĺ)NDEED ĺTHOSEĺCRITICSĺWHOĺDISCUSSĺ THEĺüLMSĺINĺANYĺDETAILĺFORĺEXAMPLE ĺ.AREMOREĺĺpĺANDĺ#HRISTOPHERĺ ĺp ĺDOĺSOĺINĺDISCRETEĺSECTIONSĺONĺCOLOURĺNOIRĺ)NĺTHEĺPROCESS ĺTHEĺüLMSlĺ kDIFFERENCElĺBECOMESĺEXAGGERATEDĺ &ORĺTHEĺMOSTĺPART ĺCOLOURĺNOIRSĺEMPLOYĺQUITEĺCONVENTIONALĺ4ECHNICOLORĺTECH NIQUESĺ5NTILĺTHEĺS ĺ4ECHNICOLORĺOPERATEDĺAĺVIRTUALĺMONOPOLYĺONĺCOLOURĺüLMĺ INĺ(OLLYWOOD ĺINCLUDINGĺHAVINGĺTHEIRĺOWNĺCONSULTANT ĺ.ATALIEĺ-ĺ+ALMUS ĺANDĺ CAMERAMENĺ WORKINGĺ ONĺ EVERYĺ4ECHNICOLORĺ üLMĺ )Nĺ k#OLORĺ #ONSCIOUSNESSl ĺ +A LMUSĺOUTLINEDĺTHEĺPRINCIPLESĺOFĺHARMONYĺANDĺPSYCHOLOGICALĺAFFECTĺUNDERPINNINGĺ 4ECHNICOLORĺAESTHETICS ĺEMPHASISINGĺTHEĺNEEDĺFORĺRESTRAINTĺANDĺSUGGESTINGĺTHATĺ COLOURĺkAMPLIüESĺTHEĺPICTUREĺINĺAĺSIMILARĺMANNERlĺTOĺTHEĺMUSICALĺSCOREĺĺ  ĺ)NĺOTHERĺWORDS ĺCOLOURĺWASĺUNDERSTOODĺTOĺCOMPLEMENTĺNARRATIVEĺINĺAĺCON VENTIONALLYĺ CLASSICALĺ WAYĺ ITĺ WASĺ CAREFULLYĺ PLANNEDĺ ANDĺ CONTROLLEDĺ TOĺ SUPPORTĺ NARRATIVEĺBYĺENHANCINGĺCHARACTERISATIONĺANDĺEMOTIONALĺREGISTERSĺ)NĺTHISĺRESPECT ĺ 4ECHNICOLORĺ LOGICĺ REQUIREDĺ REDĺ TOĺ SIGNALĺ kDANGERl ĺ kANGERl ĺ kPASSIONlĺ ANDĺ SOĺ ONĺ ĺ ĺ 4HEĺ MAINĺ SIGNIüERĺ OFĺ NOIRĺ STYLEĺ INĺ THESEĺ üLMSĺ REMAINSĺ THEĺ USEĺ OFĺ CHIARO SCUROĺ LIGHTINGĺ )NDEED ĺ ACCORDINGĺ TOĺ *AMESĺ .AREMORE ĺ 3LIGHTLYĺ 3CARLETĺ USEDĺ CONVENTIONALĺ BLACK AND WHITEĺ LIGHTINGĺ SET UPSĺ TOĺ ACHIEVEĺ THESEĺ EFFECTSĺ ĺ  ĺ (OWEVER ĺ ITĺ ISĺ HARDERĺ TOĺ ACHIEVEĺ CHIAROSCUROĺ INĺ COLOUR ĺ BECAUSEĺ BRIGHT NESSĺISĺNOTĺTHEĺONLYĺATTRIBUTEĺTOĺCONSIDERĺ THEĺTONALĺCONTRASTĺBETWEENĺLIGHTĺANDĺDARK ĺ WHITEĺ ANDĺ BLACK ĺ MAYĺ BEĺ WEAKENEDĺ BYĺ COMPETINGĺFACTORSĺOFĺHUEĺTHEĺACTUALĺCOL OURS ĺ ANDĺ SATURATIONĺ THEĺ STRENGTHĺ OFĺ THEĺ COLOURS ĺ&ORĺEXAMPLE ĺREDĺANDĺGREENĺAREĺ COMPLEMENTARYĺ COLOURSĺ THEYĺ STANDĺ OUTĺ MOSTĺ STRONGLYĺ INĺ RELATIONĺ TOĺ EACHĺ OTHER ĺ CREATINGĺHIGHĺCOLOURĺCONTRASTĺ)NĺTERMSĺOFĺ BRIGHTNESS ĺHOWEVER ĺREDĺANDĺGREENĺHAVEĺ THEĺSAMEĺTONALĺCONTRAST ĺSOĺINĺBLACK AND WHITEĺ PHOTOGRAPHYĺ THEREĺ WILLĺ BEĺ NOĺ NO TICEABLEĺDIFFERENCEĺBETWEENĺTHEĺTWOĺ3O ĺ Classic chiaroscuro: tonal contrast in Niagara WHILEĺTHEĺPRESENCEĺOFĺREDĺANDĺGREENĺWILLĺ MAKEĺLITTLEĺDIFFERENCEĺTOĺCHIAROSCUROĺINĺAĺBLACK AND WHITEĺüLM ĺINĺAĺCOLOURĺüLMĺ THEYĺMAYĺDETRACTĺATTENTIONĺFROMĺTHEĺLIGHTDARKĺCONTRASTĺ(UESĺCANĺALSOĺBEĺDI VIDEDĺINTOĺCOOLĺANDĺWARMĺCOLOURSĺCOOLĺCOLOURSĺSHADESĺOFĺPURPLE ĺTHROUGHĺBLUEĺ TOĺGREENĺANDĺGREENISHĺYELLOW ĺTENDĺTOĺRECEDEĺVISUALLYĺWARMĺCOLOURSĺSHADESĺOFĺ YELLOWĺTHROUGHĺORANGEĺTOĺREDĺTOĺREDDISH PURPLE ĺTENDĺTOĺADVANCEĺVISUALLYĺ'ENER ALLYĺSPEAKING ĺTHEN ĺREDĺWILLĺSTANDĺOUTĺMOREĺTHANĺBLUEĺpĺUNLESSĺTHEĺAREAĺOFĺBLUEĺ ISĺSIGNIüCANTLYĺLARGERĺTHANĺTHEĺAREAĺOFĺRED ĺORĺTHEĺREDĺISĺDESATURATEDĺWASHEDĺ

COLOUR AND NEO-NOIR

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OUT ĺBUTĺTHEĺBLUEĺISĺSATURATEDĺDEEP ĺ(IGHĺSATURATIONĺCREATESĺVISUALĺkENERGYl ĺ ASĺDOĺBRIGHTNESS ĺWARMTHĺANDĺAREAĺ(OWEVER ĺSATURATIONĺLEVELSĺDOĺNOTĺAFFECTĺAĺ COLOURlSĺBRIGHTNESS ĺSOĺINĺBLACK AND WHITEĺAĺDESATURATEDĺREDĺWOULDĺBEĺEXACTLYĺ THEĺSAMEĺSHADEĺOFĺGREYĺASĺAĺSATURATEDĺRED #ONSEQUENTLY ĺCOLOURĺNOIRSĺOFTENĺENHANCEĺTHEĺTONALĺCONTRASTĺOFĺCHIAROSCUROĺ BYĺADDINGĺCOLOURĺCONTRASTĺ,EAVEĺ(ERĺTOĺ(EAVENĺISĺAĺGOODĺEXAMPLEĺ%LLENĺ"ERENTĺ 'ENEĺ4IERNEY ĺANDĺ2ICHARDĺ(ARLANDĺ#ORNELĺ7ILDE ĺRETURNĺFROMĺRIDINGĺTOĺüNDĺTHEĺ HOUSEĺSHROUDEDĺINĺBLUEĺSHADOWSĺINTERMITTENTLYĺRELIEVEDĺBYĺAMBERĺSOURCEĺLIGHTSĺ THEĺCONTRASTĺBETWEENĺLIGHTĺANDĺDARKĺISĺTHUSĺREINFORCEDĺBYĺTHEĺCOMPLEMENTARYĺ CONTRASTĺBETWEENĺCOOLĺBLUEĺANDĺWARMĺYELLOWY ORANGEĺ4HISĺLIGHTINGĺRETAINSĺVERI SIMILITUDE ĺSINCEĺTHEĺCOLOURSĺAREĺMOTIVATEDĺBYĺTHEĺMISE EN SCġNEĺTHEĺSYMBOLICĺ ANDĺSTYLISTICĺEFFECTĺISĺINĺADDITIONĺTOĺTHEĺPRIMARYĺDRIVEĺOFĺNARRATIVEĺREALISMĺ .IAGARAĺPROVIDESĺONEĺEXCEPTIONĺTOĺTHISĺGENERALĺRULE ĺWHENĺ'EORGEĺ,OOMISĺ *OSEPHĺ#OTTEN ĺMURDERSĺHISĺWIFE ĺ2OSEĺ-ARILYNĺ-ONROE ĺINĺTHEĺ.IAGARAĺ&ALLSĺ "ELLĺ4OWERĺ4HEĺSCENEĺCOMBINESĺCHIAROSCUROĺLIGHTING ĺNOIRĺMISE EN SCġNEĺANDĺ MATTEĺPAINTINGSĺWITHĺLIVEĺACTIONĺINĺAĺWAYĺTHATĺENABLESĺAĺHIGHLYĺSTYLISEDĺREPRE SENTATIONĺOFĺTHEĺMURDER ĺINCLUDINGĺANĺUNUSUALĺkAERIALlĺCOMPOSITEĺSHOTĺLOOKINGĺ DIRECTLYĺ DOWNĺ ATĺ THEĺ ČOORĺ FROMĺ ABOVEĺ THEĺ BELLSĺ4HEĺ SHOTĺ )ĺ AMĺ INTERESTEDĺ IN ĺ THOUGH ĺISĺOFĺ2OSE ĺSTANDINGĺCENTREĺFRAME ĺDRESSEDĺINĺAĺBLACKĺSUITĺANDĺWHITEĺ BLOUSEĺ ONĺ THEĺ LEFT ĺ BLUE GREENĺ SKYĺ ISĺ SEENĺ THROUGHĺ THEĺ LOUVRESĺ OFĺ Aĺ SHUTTER ĺ GRADUALLYĺOBLITERATEDĺBYĺ'EORGElSĺGREY BLUEĺSUITĺASĺHEĺMOVESĺFORWARDĺONĺTHEĺ RIGHT ĺAĺREDĺLIGHTĺHASĺTURNEDĺTHEĺENTIREĺWALLĺREDĺANDĺCASTSĺITSĺGLOWĺONĺTOĺHERĺHAIRĺ !CCORDINGĺTOĺ+ALMUS ĺkTHEĺLAWĺOFĺEMPHASISĺSTATESĺaĺTHATĺNOTHINGĺOFĺRELATIVEĺ UNIMPORTANCEĺ INĺ Aĺ PICTUREĺ SHALLĺ BEĺ EMPHASIZEDĺ )F ĺ FORĺ EXAMPLE ĺ Aĺ BRIGHTĺ REDĺ ORNAMENTĺWEREĺSHOWNĺBEHINDĺANĺACTORlSĺHEAD ĺTHEĺBRIGHTĺCOLORĺWOULDĺDETRACTĺ FROMĺTHEĺCHARACTERĺANDĺACTIONĺ%RRORSĺOFĺTHISĺNATUREĺMUSTĺBEĺCAREFULLYĺAVOIDEDlĺ ĺp ĺ(ERE ĺSUCHĺANĺkERRORlĺISĺACTIVELYĺEMBRACEDĺ4HEĺPRESENCEĺOFĺTHEĺ REDĺLIGHTĺBREAKSĺTHEĺRULESĺOFĺVERISIMILITUDEĺITĺSEEMSĺUNREALISTICĺTHATĺSUCHĺAĺLIGHTĺ SHOULDĺBEĺTHEREĺ"UTĺINĺTERMSĺOFĺNOIRĺCOMPOSITION ĺITSĺPRESENCEĺISĺEXTREMELYĺ EFFECTIVE ĺCREATINGĺAĺBALANCEDĺCONTRASTĺBETWEENĺCOOLĺBLUE GREYĺANDĺWARMĺREDĺTOĺ EXPRESSĺEMOTIONALĺCRISISĺANDĺTHEĺDANGERĺOFĺTHEĺSITUATIONĺ 4HISĺMOREĺEXPRESSIONISTĺUSEĺOFĺREDĺLIGHTĺECHOESĺTHEĺALTERNATINGĺRED ĺWHITEĺ ANDĺ GREENĺ NEONĺ LIGHTINGĺ ATĺ THEĺ CLIMAXĺ OFĺ 2OPEĺ  ĺ WHENĺ 2UPERTĺ #ADELLĺ *AMESĺ3TEWART ĺREALISESĺTHEĺFULLĺHORRORĺOFĺWHATĺHISĺSTUDENTS ĺ"RANDONĺ3HAWĺ *OHNĺ$ALL ĺANDĺ0HILLIPĺ-ORGANĺ&ARLEYĺ'RANGER ĺHAVEĺDONEĺSEEĺ.AREMOREĺĺ  ĺ7HATĺISĺAĺMINORĺNOTEĺINĺ2OPEĺBECOMESĺAĺMAJORĺMOTIFĺINĺ6ERTIGOĺ ĺ REDĺANDĺGREENĺAREĺREPEATEDLYĺCONTRASTEDĺ4HEĺüRSTĺTIMEĺWEĺSEEĺ-ADELEINEĺ%L STERĺ +IMĺ .OVAK ĺ THEĺ JADE GREENĺ SATINĺ STOLEĺ SHEĺ ISĺ WEARINGĺ DRAWSĺ OURĺ ATTEN TIONĺBECAUSEĺITĺSTANDSĺOUTĺAGAINSTĺTHEĺBAROQUEĺSCARLETĺWALLPAPERĺ4HEĺüRSTĺTIMEĺ WEĺSEEĺ*UDYĺ"ARTONĺ+IMĺ.OVAK ĺSHEĺISĺWEARINGĺAĺSIMILARĺSHADEĺOFĺGREEN ĺBUTĺ WHENĺSHEĺANDĺ3COTTIEĺ&ERGUSONĺ*AMESĺ3TEWART ĺREVISITĺTHEĺBAROQUEĺRESTAURANT ĺ SHEĺWEARSĺAĺLILACĺDRESSĺTHATĺCLASHESĺHORRIBLYĺWITHĺTHEĺREDĺ7HENĺ*UDYĺISĺüNALLYĺ

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NEO-NOIR

kTRANSFORMEDlĺBACK ĺINTOĺk-ADELEINEl ĺTHEĺSCENEĺISĺOVERWHELMEDĺBYĺJADEĺLIGHTĺ THATĺ üLTERSĺ THROUGHĺ THEĺ NETĺ CURTAINSĺ FROMĺ THEĺ NEONĺ SIGNĺ OUTSIDEĺ Aĺ SIGNĺ THATĺ APPEARSĺREDĺDURINGĺTHEĺDAY ĺ4HEĺüLMĺALSOĺUSESĺCOLOURĺTOĺSIGNALĺPSYCHOLOGICALĺ OBSESSIONĺpĺNOTABLYĺDURINGĺ3COTTIElSĺPSYCHEDELICĺNIGHTMAREĺpĺINĺAĺWAYĺTHATĺHASĺ INČUENCEDĺNEO NOIRĺ 4OĺSUMMARISEĺINĺCLASSICĺNOIR ĺCOLOURĺTENDSĺTOĺREINFORCEĺESTABLISHEDĺPATTERNSĺ OFĺNOIRĺREPRESENTATIONĺ4HUS ĺTHEĺüLMSlĺMOSTĺOVERT ĺATTENTION GRABBINGĺUSESĺOFĺ COLOURĺ DOĺ ONEĺ ORĺ MOREĺ OFĺ THEĺ FOLLOWINGĺ ENHANCEĺ THEĺ FEMMEĺ FATALElSĺ CHARAC TERISATIONĺFORĺEXAMPLE ĺ2OSElSĺFUCHSIAĺDRESSĺINĺ.IAGARA ĺEMPHASISEĺAĺMORALLYĺ DANGEROUSĺLOCATIONĺTHROUGHĺGARISHĺMISE EN SCġNEĺFORĺEXAMPLE ĺTHEĺGANGSTERlSĺ BEACHĺ HOUSEĺ INĺ 3LIGHTLYĺ 3CARLET ĺ ORĺ ACCENTUATEĺ CHIAROSCUROĺ LIGHTINGĺ BYĺ USINGĺ CONTRASTINGĺCOLOURSĺ&ORĺTHEĺMOSTĺPART ĺTHESEĺUSESĺOFĺCOLOURĺHAVEĺAĺPLAUSIBLEĺ DIEGETICĺSOURCE ĺCOMPLYINGĺWITHĺCLASSICALĺREALISTĺAESTHETICSĺ4HESEĺSCENESĺALSOĺ TENDĺTOĺBEĺQUITEĺISOLATED ĺWITHĺLARGEĺSTRETCHESĺOFĺTHEĺüLMSĺUSINGĺENTIRELYĺCON VENTIONALĺHIGH KEYĺLIGHTINGĺANDĺREALISTĺMISE EN SCġNEĺ

The new black (OWĺDOESĺTHEĺUSEĺOFĺCOLOURĺINĺNEO NOIRĺCOMPAREĺ"YĺTHEĺTIMEĺOFĺTHEĺMODERN ISTĺPHASEĺOFĺNEO NOIR ĺCOLOURĺüLMĺWASĺTHEĺNORMĺANDĺCONNOTEDĺSOCIALĺkREALISMlĺINĺ AĺWAYĺITĺHADĺNOTĺOFTENĺDONEĺDURINGĺTHEĺCLASSICĺPERIODĺ4ECHNICOLORlSĺMONOPOLYĺ HADĺCOLLAPSEDĺINĺTHEĺS ĺFOLLOWINGĺTHEĺ3UPREMEĺ#OURTlSĺĺANTI TRUSTĺRUL INGĺANDĺTHEĺADVENTĺOFĺSINGLE STRIPĺBRANDSĺSUCHĺASĺ%ASTMANĺ#OLOR ĺ$E,UXEĺANDĺ -ETROCOLORĺ4HEĺQUALITYĺOFĺTHISĺNEWĺüLMĺSTOCKĺVARIED ĺHOWEVER ĺANDĺSINGLE STRIPĺ TECHNIQUESĺPRODUCEDĺAĺBRIGHTER ĺLESSĺSATURATEDĺRANGEĺOFĺCOLOURSĺTHANĺTHEĺTHREE STRIPĺ4ECHNICOLORĺPROCESSĺ#OLOURĺüLMĺSTOCKĺALSOĺHADĺDIFüCULTYĺDEALINGĺWITHĺLOWĺ LIGHTINGĺ LEVELSĺ #ONSEQUENTLY ĺ Aĺ NUMBERĺ OFĺ NEO NOIRSĺ MADEĺ INĺ THEĺ Sĺ ANDĺ SĺLACKĺCHIAROSCUROĺANDĺTENDĺTOWARDSĺNATURALISTĺCOLOURĺ.AREMORE ĺFORĺEXAM PLE ĺCRITICISESĺ(ARPERĺ ĺANDĺ-ARLOWEĺ ĺ Whatever their incidental virtues, neither of these films was able to provide a visual correlative for the shadowy, decadent romanticism of the 1940s. Even in the 1970s, color films dealing with noir subjects were sometimes flatly and brightly lit’ (1998: 190). 3IMILARLY ĺ -ARKĺ "OULDĺ NOTESĺ THATĺ THEĺ ĺ REMAKEĺ OFĺ 4HEĺ +ILLERSĺ  ĺ kISĺ BRIGHTLY ĺANDĺUNIFORMLY LIT ĺCONVENTIONALLYĺSHOTĺANDĺINĺCOLOURĺaĺ!RGUABLY ĺTHEĺNOIRĺ WORLDĺHASĺBECOMEĺUBIQUITOUSĺANDĺNORMALISED ĺRENDERINGĺAĺSTYLISTICALLYĺDISTINCTĺ REPRESENTATIONĺSUPERČUOUSĺORĺIMPOSSIBLElĺĺ ĺ 0OINTĺ"LANKĺ ĺHOWEVER ĺSUGGESTEDĺMOREĺEVOCATIVEĺPOSSIBILITIESĺFORĺCOL OURĺ ANDĺ NEO NOIRĺ STYLEĺ 3TRONGLYĺ INČUENCEDĺ BYĺ %UROPEANĺ ARTĺ CINEMA ĺ THEĺ üLMĺ MADEĺEXTENSIVEĺUSEĺOFĺMODERNISTĺTECHNIQUES ĺNARRATIVELYĺANDĺSTYLISTICALLYĺ)NDI VIDUALĺSCENESĺEXHIBITĺDISTINCTĺCOLOURĺPREFERENCESĺ,YNNEĺ7ALKERlSĺ3HARONĺ!CKER ĺ

COLOUR AND NEO-NOIR

15

APARTMENTĺISĺALMOSTĺDEVOIDĺOFĺCOLOUR ĺWITHĺSILVERYĺWHITESĺANDĺGREYSĺDOMINATINGĺ THEĺFURNISHINGS ĺCOSTUMESĺANDĺMAKE UPĺ,YNNElSĺSISTER ĺ#HRISĺ!NGIEĺ$ICKINSON ĺ ISĺASSOCIATEDĺWITHĺWARMERĺCOLOURSĺTHEĺWALLSĺOFĺHERĺAPARTMENT ĺTHEĺSHEETSĺONĺ HERĺBED ĺTHEĺROBEĺSHEĺPUTSĺON ĺTHEĺDRESSĺSHEĺWEARSĺTHEĺNEXTĺDAY ĺAREĺALLĺSHADESĺ OFĺ YELLOWĺ SHEĺ LATERĺ WEARSĺ REDĺ ANDĺ TOMATOĺ EVENĺ7ALKERĺ ,EEĺ -ARVIN ĺ WEARSĺ MUSTARDĺANDĺOCHREĺWHENĺHEĺISĺWITHĺHERĺ&REDERICKĺ#ARTERĺ,LOYDĺ"OCHNER ĺANDĺ HISĺEMPLOYEESĺALLĺWEARĺMUDDYĺBROWNĺANDĺMOSSĺGREENĺSUITS ĺTOĺMATCHĺHISĺOF üCEĺ"ROADLYĺSPEAKING ĺTHEĺüLMlSĺCOLOURĺkWARMSĺUPlĺASĺTHEĺNARRATIVEĺPROGRESSES ĺ MOVINGĺ FROMĺ WHITES ĺ GREYSĺ ANDĺ BLUESĺ TOĺ YELLOWS ĺ BROWNSĺ ANDĺ ORANGES ĺ BUTĺ THEĺüNALĺSCENEĺRETURNSĺTOĺCOOLĺCOLOURS ĺUSINGĺDIFFUSEĺBLUE ĺGREENĺANDĺMAGENTAĺ LIGHTINGĺTOĺHIGHLIGHTĺTHEĺGREYĺSTONEĺ4HEĺüLMlSĺHALLUCINATORYĺQUALITIESĺpĺSUMMEDĺ UPĺBYĺ7ALKERlSĺLINE ĺk$IDĺITĺHAPPENĺ!ĺDREAMĺ!ĺDREAMlĺpĺAREĺALSOĺEXPRESSEDĺ THROUGHĺ COLOUR ĺ MOSTĺ NOTABLYĺ DURINGĺ THEĺ üGHTĺ ATĺ THEĺ -OVIEĺ (OUSEĺ4HEĺ CLUBĺ MIXESĺPURPLEĺANDĺCRIMSONĺDÀCORĺWITHĺREDĺANDĺMAGENTAĺSPOTLIGHTSĺANDĺCOLOUREDĺ PROJECTIONS ĺWITHĺGELSĺROTATINGĺTHROUGHĺBLUE ĺGREEN ĺYELLOW ĺMAGENTAĺANDĺCYANĺ 4HEĺGLUTĺOFĺCOLOURSĺISĺMATCHEDĺBYĺAĺCACOPHONYĺpĺTHEĺSCREECHESĺOFĺTHEĺSINGERĺ ANDĺAUDIENCEĺMEMBERSĺüNALLYĺECHOEDĺBYĺTHEĺSCREAMSĺOFĺAĺDANCERĺüNDINGĺTHEĺ UNCONSCIOUSĺBODIES ĺANDĺEXTREMEĺCLOSE UPSĺOFĺTHEIRĺGAPINGĺMOUTHSĺMATCHINGĺ THEĺSCENElSĺOPENINGĺSHOTĺOFĺTHEĺSINGERĺSTANDINGĺBEHINDĺAĺPROJECTEDĺIMAGE ĺASĺIFĺ INĺTHEĺMOUTHĺOFĺAĺSCREAMINGĺWOMANĺ4HEĺSCENEĺENDSĺWITHĺ7ALKERĺBLINKINGĺINTOĺ THEĺPROJECTORlSĺREDĺLIGHT ĺWHICHĺCASTSĺMOLTENĺPATTERNSĺONĺHISĺFACEĺ7EĺRECOGNISEĺ THISĺ SHOTĺ FROMĺ THEĺ VERYĺ BEGINNINGĺ OFĺ THEĺ üLM ĺ WHENĺ THEĺ ENTIRELYĺ REDĺ SCREENĺ CAMEĺINTOĺFOCUSĺTOĺREVEALĺ7ALKERlSĺFACEĺ#OLOURĺISĺNOTĺUSEDĺINĺISOLATION ĺTHEN ĺ BUTĺASĺPARTĺOFĺAĺCOMPLEXĺSYSTEMĺOFĺSTYLISTICĺCHOICESĺTHATĺITERATEĺANDĺREITERATEĺ THEĺTRAUMAĺANDĺVIOLENCEĺOFĺBETRAYALĺINĺSUCHĺAĺWAYĺASĺTOĺLEAVEĺUSĺUNCERTAINĺASĺTOĺ WHETHERĺTHISĺIS ĺINDEED ĺAĺDEADĺMANlSĺDREAMĺ 4HEĺ Sĺ SAWĺ Aĺ NUMBERĺ OFĺ CINEMATOGRAPHERSĺ USINGĺ COLOURĺ üLMĺ STOCKĺ INĺ INNOVATIVEĺ WAYS ĺ ALTHOUGHĺ NOTĺ ALWAYSĺ FORĺ CONVENTIONALĺ kNOIRlĺ EFFECTSĺ 6ILMOSĺ :SIGMOND ĺFORĺEXAMPLE ĺkČASHEDlĺTHEĺüLMĺSTOCKĺONĺ4HEĺ,ONGĺ'OODBYEĺ ĺ TOĺ kDEGRADEĺ CONTRASTSl ĺ PRODUCINGĺ kAĺ RATHERĺ DIFFUSED ĺ PASTEL COLOREDĺ PHOTOGRA PHYlĺ.AREMOREĺĺp ĺ#ONSEQUENTLY ĺTHEĺüLMĺLACKSĺBRIGHTNESS ĺCOLOURĺISĺ RELATIVELYĺMUTEDĺTHROUGHOUTĺANDĺCHIAROSCUROĺEFFECTSĺAREĺSIMILARLYĺUNDERSTATEDĺ /THERSĺ ACHIEVEDĺ Aĺ MOREĺ OMINOUS ĺ NOIRĺ STYLEĺ 'ORDONĺ7ILLISĺ COMBINEDĺ COLOURĺ WITHĺLOW LEVELĺLIGHTĺTOĺPRODUCEĺDISTINCTIVELYĺDARKĺüLMSĺSUCHĺASĺ+LUTEĺ ĺANDĺ 4HEĺ0ARALLAXĺ6IEWĺ ĺAND ĺFORĺ4AXIĺ$RIVERĺ ĺ-ICHAELĺ#HAPMANĺUNDER EXPOSEDĺTHEĺüLMĺSTOCK ĺTHENĺOVEREXPOSEDĺTHEĺBRIGHTĺPOINTSĺOFĺSOURCEĺLIGHTINGĺ DURINGĺPRINTINGĺTOĺENSUREĺDENSEĺBLACKSĺANDĺHIGHĺCONTRASTĺSEEĺ.AREMOREĺĺ  ĺ -ODERNĺ HIGH SPEEDĺ COLOURĺ üLMĺ DEALSĺ MOREĺ EASILYĺ WITHĺ LOWĺ LIGHTĺ LEVELS ĺ BUTĺMANYĺNEO NOIRĺCINEMATOGRAPHERSĺCONTINUEĺTOĺUSEĺPRE ĺANDĺPOST PRODUCTIONĺ EFFECTSĺTOĺENHANCEĺTHEĺLOOKĺOFĺTHEĺüLMĺ&ORĺEXAMPLE ĺONĺ3EENĺ ĺ$ARIUSĺ +HONDJIĺČASHEDĺTHEĺNEGATIVEĺBYĺILLUMINATINGĺITĺWITHĺkCERTAINĺCOLOURĺTONESĺACCORD INGĺTOĺTHEĺATMOSPHEREĺaĺCOLOURINGĺaĺTHEĺDARKESTĺSHADOWSlĺ+HONDJIĺQUOTEDĺ

16

NEO-NOIR

INĺ$ARKEĺĺ ĺAĺFEWĺHUNDREDĺPRINTSĺALSOĺUSEDĺSILVERĺRETENTIONĺTOĺRESTOREĺ LUMINOSITYĺANDĺDENSITYĺTOĺWHITESĺANDĺBLACKS ĺENHANCINGĺCONTRAST 7HILEĺüLMMAKERSĺWILLĺEACHĺHAVEĺTHEIRĺOWNĺTECHNIQUES ĺTHEREĺAREĺALSOĺRECUR RINGĺSTRATEGIESĺANDĺCONVENTIONSĺAROUNDĺTHEĺUSEĺOFĺCOLOURĺINĺ!MERICANĺNEO NOIRĺ 4HESEĺAREĺTENDENCIES ĺRATHERĺTHANĺRULESĺANĺINDIVIDUALĺNEO NOIRĺMAYĺUSEĺONEĺORĺ SOMEĺOFĺTHESEĺSTRATEGIES ĺINĺVARYINGĺCOMBINATIONSĺANDĺDEGREES ĺ ĺ .EO NOIRĺ PREDOMINANTLYĺ RELIESĺ ONĺ CO ORDINATEDĺ USEĺ OFĺ NEUTRALĺ COLOURSĺ WHITES ĺBLACKS ĺGREYS ĺBROWNS ĺOFF SETĺBYĺAREASĺOFĺSATURATEDĺPRIMARYĺCOLOURS ĺ WHICHĺBECOMEĺMOREĺPREVALENTĺDURINGĺSCENESĺOFĺDRAMATICĺCONČICTĺ ĺ 3PECIüCALLY ĺ NEO NOIRĺ FAVOURSĺ THEĺ PRIMARIESĺ OFĺ LIGHTĺ RED ĺ GREEN ĺ BLUEĺ 4HESEĺCOLOURSĺAREĺUSEDĺINĺALLĺASPECTSĺOFĺMISE EN SCġNEĺ"LUEĺüLTERSĺAREĺCOM MONLYĺUSEDĺTOĺTINTĺSCENES ĺASĺINĺ2EDĺ2OCKĺ7EST ĺWHENĺ3HERIFFĺ7AYNEĺ"ROWNĺ *ĺ4ĺ7ALSH ĺCHASESĺ-ICHAELĺ7ILLIAMSĺ.ICOLASĺ#AGE ĺTHROUGHĺMISTYĺWOODSĺ"LUEĺ ANDĺGREENĺCANĺDOMINATEĺENTIREĺüLMSĺBLUEĺINĺ(EATĺ ĺ0AYBACKĺ ĺANDĺ 4HEĺ $EEPĺ %NDĺ  ĺ GREENĺ ANDĺ BLUEĺ INĺ 5NDERNEATHĺ  ĺ GREENĺ INĺ &IGHTĺ #LUBĺ ĺ4HEĺSHADESĺOFĺGREENĺFOUNDĺINĺNEO NOIRĺAREĺQUITEĺDISTINCT ĺTENDINGĺ TOWARDSĺACIDIC ĺMEDICINALĺJADEĺGREENS ĺRATHERĺTHANĺkNATURALl ĺkHEALTHYlĺSHADESĺOFĺ GRASSĺGREENĺWHICHĺAREĺALLĺBUTĺABSENT ĺ2EDĺISĺUSUALLYĺRESERVEDĺFORĺKEYĺSCENESĺ ANDĺMISE EN SCġNEĺMOTIFSĺFORĺEXAMPLE ĺ*OHNĺ$OElSĺ+EVINĺ3PACEY ĺAPARTMENTĺ INĺ3EEN ĺ)NĺPARTICULAR ĺREDĺISĺOFTENĺCOMBINEDĺWITHĺBLACKĺANDĺWHITEĺTOĺMAXIMISEĺ DRAMATICĺIMPACTĺpĺESPECIALLYĺWHENĺBLOODĺISĺINVOLVEDĺpĺASĺINĺ4HEĺ'RIFTERSĺ ĺ 2ESERVOIRĺ$OGSĺ ĺANDĺ3INĺ#ITYĺ ĺ ĺ#YANĺANDĺMAGENTAĺAREĺQUITEĺCOMMONĺINĺLIGHTING ĺESPECIALLYĺINĺPOSTMOD ERNĺSĺNEO NOIRSĺSUCHĺASĺ"LOODĺ3IMPLEĺ ĺ-ANHUNTERĺ ĺANDĺ"LACKĺ 7IDOWĺ ĺBUTĺAREĺRARELYĺUSEDĺFORĺSETS ĺPROPSĺANDĺCOSTUMESĺ9ELLOWĺISĺUN COMMONĺINĺNEO NOIR ĺPRESUMABLYĺBECAUSEĺITĺISĺTOOĺkHAPPYlĺANDĺOPTIMISTICĺFORĺ THEĺNOIRĺWORLDĺVIEWĺ7HENĺYELLOWĺDOESĺAPPEAR ĺITĺISĺTHEĺFADEDĺCOLOURĺOFĺTHEĺPASTĺ SEEĺĺBELOW ĺORĺTHEĺJAUNDICEDĺHUEĺOFĺCORRUPTIONĺTHINKĺOFĺ9ELLOWĺ"ASTARDĺ.ICKĺ 3TAHL ĺINĺ3INĺ#ITYĺORĺ,ORENĺ6ISSERlSĺ-ĺ%MMETĺ7ALSH ĺPALEĺYELLOWĺSUITĺINĺ"LOODĺ 3IMPLEĺ%VENĺYELLOWĺNEONĺISĺCOMPARATIVELYĺSCARCE ĺ3ECONDARYĺANDĺTERTIARYĺPIGMENTSĺAREĺUSUALLYĺKEPTĺTOĺAĺMINIMUM ĺASĺAREĺ PALEĺANDĺPASTELĺCOLOURSĺSHADESĺOFĺPURPLE ĺPINK ĺPEACHĺpĺEVENĺORANGEĺpĺAREĺRARELYĺ SEENĺINĺNEO NOIR ĺPERHAPSĺBECAUSEĺTHEYĺSEEMĺTOOĺFEMININEĺ4HEĺASSOCIATIONĺOFĺ ORANGEĺWITHĺNEO NOIRĺISĺMUCHĺMOREĺABOUTĺTHEĺQUALITYĺOFĺLIGHTĺANDĺATMOSPHEREĺ THANĺOTHERĺASPECTSĺOFĺMISE EN SCġNEĺITĺISĺTHEĺDUSTY ĺDESERTĺSUNLIGHT ĺTHEĺČAMEĺ OFĺTHEĺüRE ĺTHEĺAURAĺOFĺBODYĺHEATĺ ĺ#OLOURSĺTENDĺTOĺBEĺSPATIALLYĺCONTROLLEDĺ,ARGEĺAREASĺOFĺNEUTRALSĺWILLĺBEĺOFF SETĺBYĺSMALLERĺBLOCKSĺOFĺPRIMARYĺHUESĺ&ABRICSĺAREĺUSUALLYĺPLAINĺWHENĺPRESENT ĺ PATTERNSĺAREĺGEOMETRICĺOR ĺOCCASIONALLY ĺBAROQUEĺNOTHINGĺČOWERY ĺ3EEDYĺMO TELSĺMAYĺHAVEĺSUITABLYĺGRUBBY ĺPATTERNEDĺDÀCORĺTOĺSIGNALĺRUN DOWNĺCONDITIONSĺ 3HORTĺDEPTHĺOFĺüELDĺANĺALLĺBUTĺINEVITABLEĺBY PRODUCTĺOFĺLOWĺLIGHTĺLEVELSĺANDĺZOOMĺ

COLOUR AND NEO-NOIR

17

LENSES ĺOFTENĺAIDSĺTHESEĺEFFECTS ĺBLURRINGĺBACKGROUNDĺOBJECTSĺTOĺCREATEĺAĺMOREĺ UNIFORMĺSHADEĺANDĺDIFFUSINGĺTHEĺLIGHTĺCASTĺBYĺNEONSĺANDĺSOURCEĺLIGHTSĺ&ORĺEX AMPLE ĺINĺ"LACKĺ7IDOWĺWHENĺ!LEXĺ"ARNESĺ$EBRAĺ7INGER ĺWATCHESĺ#ATHERINEĺ 0ETERSENĺ4HERESAĺ2USSELL ĺFROMĺHERĺCAR ĺTHEĺBACKGROUNDĺISĺSPLITĺBETWEENĺREDĺ ANDĺGREENĺLATERĺSHOTSĺREVEALĺTHEĺREDĺISĺCASTĺBYĺAĺNEONĺLIGHT ĺWHILEĺAĺCHANGEĺINĺ FOCUSĺREVEALSĺTHATĺTHEĺGREENĺAREAĺWASĺACTUALLYĺAĺDUMPSTERĺ ĺ4HEĺRANGEĺOFĺCOLOURSĺINĺPARTICULARĺSETTINGSĺMAYĺALSOĺBEĺLIMITED ĺCREATINGĺ ANĺOVERALLĺCOLOURĺTENDENCYĺFORĺINDIVIDUALĺSCENES ĺASĺINĺ0OINTĺ"LANKĺ4HISĺTENDEN CYĺINVOLVESĺWHATĺ!RNHEIMĺDESCRIBESĺASĺCOLOURlSĺkQUALITATIVElĺTONE SCALEĺĺ  ĺTHEĺSCALEĺOFĺDIFFERENCEĺFROM ĺFORĺEXAMPLE ĺBLUEĺTOĺSEAĺGREENĺTOĺGREEN ĺORĺ FROMĺYELLOWĺTOĺOCHREĺTOĺBROWNĺ4HEĺHUEĺCHANGES ĺBUTĺREMAINSĺCLOSELYĺRELATEDĺ TOĺTHEĺOTHERĺCOLOURSĺ4HISĺISĺQUITEĺDIFFERENTĺFROMĺTHEĺkQUANTITATIVElĺTONALĺCONTRASTĺ BETWEENĺ DEGREESĺ OFĺ LIGHTNESSĺ !RNHEIMĺ ĺ  ĺ &ORĺ EXAMPLE ĺ SEPIAĺ PHO TOGRAPHYĺISĺMONOCHROMEĺBROWNĺISĺTHEĺONLYĺCOLOURĺTHEĺSHADESĺAREĺQUANTITIESĺ OFĺBRIGHTNESSĺ!ĺüLMĺSUCHĺASĺ#HINATOWNĺ ĺHOWEVER ĺCREATESĺAĺSENSEĺOFĺ THEĺ kSEPIA TINTEDlĺ DUST BOWLĺ $EPRESSIONĺ ERAĺ BYĺ LIMITINGĺ THEĺ COLOURĺ PALETTEĺ TOĺ QUALITATIVEĺSHADESĺOFĺCREAMS ĺYELLOWSĺANDĺBROWNS ĺWITHĺSPLASHESĺOFĺOTHERĺCOL OURSĺTHROWNĺINĺ4HISĺQUALITATIVEĺSEPIAĺTENDENCYĺWASĺAĺCOMMONĺSTRATEGYĺINĺPOST CLASSICALĺ(OLLYWOODĺREVISIONISTĺGENREĺüLMSĺ"ONNIEĺANDĺ#LYDEĺ ĺ-C#ABEĺ ĺ-RSĺ-ILLERĺ ĺANDĺ4HEĺ'ODFATHERĺ ĺUSEĺTHESEĺKINDSĺOFĺTECHNIQUESĺ TOĺREVISITĺTHEĺMYTHOLOGYĺOFĺGANGSTERĺMOVIESĺANDĺWESTERNSĺ)TĺISĺAĺCONVENTIONĺ THATĺHASĺBECOMEĺPARTICULARLYĺASSOCIATEDĺWITHĺREPRESENTATIONSĺOFĺAĺGENERICĺPASTĺ ANDĺREMAINSĺAĺCOMMONĺSTRATEGYĺFORĺPERIODĺNEO NOIRS ĺSUCHĺASĺ$EVILĺINĺAĺ"LUEĺ $RESSĺ ĺ,!ĺ#ONüDENTIALĺ ĺANDĺ4HEĺ"LACKĺ$AHLIAĺ ĺ4HEĺSATURAT ED ĺBROWNISHĺCOLOURĺPALETTEĺSUGGESTSĺkTHEĺPASTlĺWITHOUTĺRESORTINGĺTOĺBLACK AND WHITEĺALTHOUGHĺ4HEĺ-ANĺ7HOĺ7ASNlTĺ4HEREĺ ĺDOESĺGOĺTHISĺFAR ĺBUTĺITĺALSOĺ LENDSĺTHEĺüLMSĺAĺNOSTALGICĺGLAMOURĺTHATĺOFTENĺFEELSĺQUITEĺOPPRESSIVEĺ4HEĺENDĺ OFĺ4HEĺ"LACKĺ$AHLIAĺSEEMSĺTOĺRECOGNISEĺTHIS ĺOFFERINGĺAĺMOMENTARYĺREPRIEVEĺ WHENĺ+AYĺ,AKEĺ3CARLETTĺ*OHANSSON ĺOPENSĺTHEĺDOORĺTOĺ$WIGHTĺk"UCKYlĺ"LEICH HERTĺ*OSHĺ(ARTNETT ĺPUREĺLIGHTĺBOUNCESĺOFFĺHERĺWHITEĺANGORAĺSWEATERĺANDĺTHEĺ WHITEĺČOWERSĺANDĺWALLĺBEHINDĺHERĺ2EDEMPTIONĺISĺCUTĺSHORT ĺHOWEVER ĺASĺ"UCKYĺ HALLUCINATESĺTHEĺ"LACKĺ$AHLIAlSĺMUTILATEDĺCORPSEĺLYINGĺONĺTHEĺLAWNĺRUBBINGĺHISĺ EYESĺHEĺTURNSĺAWAY ĺANDĺTHEĺSEPIAĺTONESĺFADEĺBACKĺINĺFORĺTHEĺüNALĺSHOTSĺ ĺ!ĺ FEWĺ üLMS ĺ INCLUDINGĺ $/!ĺ  ĺ $EADĺ!GAINĺ  ĺ ANDĺ -EMENTOĺ  ĺ COMBINEĺ COLOURĺ WITHĺ BLACK AND WHITEĺ SEQUENCESĺ $EADĺ !GAINĺ SIMPLYĺ USESĺ BLACK AND WHITEĺ FORĺ ČASHBACKSĺ THEĺ PASTĺ ISĺ BLACK AND WHITE ĺ THEĺ PRESENTĺ COLOURĺ -EMENTOĺ ISĺ MOREĺ COMPLEX ĺ SINCEĺ THEĺ BLACK AND WHITEĺ SEQUENCESĺ AL THOUGHĺINĺTHEĺPAST ĺPROVIDEĺMOREĺCOHERENT ĺCHRONOLOGICALĺNARRATIONĺTHANĺTHEĺCOL OURĺSCENESĺWHICHĺBEGINĺINĺTHEĺPRESENTĺANDĺWORKĺTHEIRĺWAYĺBACKWARDS ĺ)NĺBOTHĺ CASES ĺ SWITCHINGĺ BETWEENĺ COLOURĺ ANDĺ BLACK AND WHITEĺ FOOTAGEĺ FACILITATESĺ THEĺ ORGANISATIONĺOFĺPLOTĺTIME ĺBUTĺALSOĺWORKSĺTHEMATICALLYĺTOĺSUGGESTĺTHEĺRUPTUREĺOFĺ PASTĺANDĺPRESENTĺASĺAĺTRAUMATICĺEVENTĺ$/!ĺWORKSĺDIFFERENTLYĺTHEĺPRESENTĺISĺ

18

NEO-NOIR

INĺBLACK AND WHITE ĺWHILEĺTHEĺČASHBACKĺISĺINĺCOLOURĺ(OWEVER ĺTHEĺSEQUENCESĺINĺ THEĺkPRESENTlĺMOSTĺCLOSELYĺREMAKEĺTHEĺORIGINALĺĺüLMĺTHEĺPAST ĺWHILEĺTHEĺ ČASHBACKĺ TELLSĺ Aĺ COMPLETELYĺ NEW ĺ kMODERNlĺ STORYĺ ABOUTĺ Aĺ COLLEGEĺ PROFESSOR ĺ $EXTERĺ#ORNELLĺ$ENNISĺ1UAID ĺ)NĺTHISĺRESPECT ĺTHEĺRELATIONSHIPĺBETWEENĺBLACK AND WHITEĺANDĺCOLOURĺPLAYSĺWITHĺOURĺEXTRATEXTUAL ĺGENERICĺUNDERSTANDINGĺOFĺPAST PRESENTĺINĺAĺTYPICALLYĺPOSTMODERNĺWAYĺ4HEĺSHIFTĺTOĺCOLOURĺISĺVERYĺKNOWINGĺTHEĺ CAMERAĺTRACKSĺRIGHTĺREVEALING ĺLETTERĺBYĺLETTER ĺAĺHANDĺWRITINGĺINĺWHITEĺCHALKĺONĺAĺ BLACKBOARD ĺ# / , / 2ĺ!SĺTHEĺüNALĺLETTERĺISĺREVEALED ĺTHEĺBLACK AND WHITEĺIMAGEĺ BECOMESĺCOLOURĺ$EXĺISĺTEACHINGĺANĺ%NGLISHĺCLASSĺABOUTĺCOLOURĺASĺMETAPHORĺ ĺ/NEĺOFĺTHEĺMOSTĺCOMMONĺSTRATEGIESĺISĺTHEĺCOMBINATIONĺOFĺCOLOURĺWITHĺ LIGHTINGĺ .EONĺ SIGNS ĺ BRAKEĺ LIGHTS ĺ SHADEDĺ LAMPSĺ ALLĺ HELPĺ COLOURĺ THEĺ NEO NOIRĺ ENVIRONMENTĺ4HISĺISĺNOTĺJUSTĺABOUTĺTHEĺCOLOURĺOFĺTHEĺLAMPLIGHT ĺBUTĺALSOĺABOUTĺ HOWĺTHEĺLIGHTĺCASTĺSEEPSĺTHROUGH ĺSTAININGĺTHEĺDIEGETICĺWORLDĺUNNATURALĺSHADESĺ 4HISĺKINDĺOFĺCOLOUREDĺLIGHTINGĺGOESĺMUCHĺFURTHERĺTHANĺTHEĺBLUE YELLOWĺCONTRASTĺ USEDĺTOĺACCENTUATEĺCHIAROSCUROĺINĺ,EAVEĺ(ERĺTOĺ(EAVEN ĺALTHOUGHĺTHEĺCOLOURSĺ CANĺSTILLĺFULüLĺTHISĺFUNCTIONĺ&ORĺEXAMPLE ĺINĺ4HEĺ,ONGĺ'OODBYE ĺTHEĺSCENEĺWHEREĺ -ARLOWEĺ%LLIOTTĺ'OULD ĺüRSTĺTELEPHONESĺ-RSĺ7ADEĺ.INAĺVANĺ0ALLANDT ĺPROVESĺ ANĺEXCEPTIONĺTOĺTHEĺüLMlSĺOTHERWISEĺLOWĺCONTRASTĺVISUALSĺREDDISHĺLIGHTĺSUFFUSESĺ THEĺBAR ĺOFF SETĺBYĺSMALLĺGREENĺLIGHTSĺONĺTHEĺWALLĺTHEĺCAMERAĺZOOMSĺINĺSLOWLYĺ TOĺ FOCUSĺ ONĺ -ARLOWElSĺ FACE ĺ BACKLIT ĺ ALMOSTĺ OBLITERATED ĺ BYĺ THEĺ BRIGHT ĺ BLUISH WHITEĺ LIGHTĺ ČOODINGĺ THROUGHĺ ANĺ OPENĺ DOORWAYĺ BEHINDĺ HIM ĺ WHILEĺ REDDISHĺ üLLĺ LIGHTĺ ILLUMINATESĺ HISĺ FACEĺ4HEĺ SCENElSĺ USEĺ OFĺ COLOUREDĺ LIGHTĺ PROVESĺ TYPICALĺ OFĺ NEO NOIRĺBAR ROOMSĺpĺFORĺEXAMPLE ĺTHEĺREDĺEXITĺSIGNĺANDĺWALLĺLIGHTSĺATĺTHEĺ0INE HAVENĺ4AVERNĺINĺ"ODYĺ(EATĺ ĺANDĺTHEĺMAGENTAĺNEONSĺTHATĺSHINEĺTHROUGHĺTOĺ *ULIANĺ-ARTYlSĺ$ANĺ(EDAYA ĺOFüCEĺBEHINDĺTHEĺBARĺINĺ"LOODĺ3IMPLEĺ,IKEĺMANYĺ POSTMODERNĺNEO NOIRS ĺ"LOODĺ3IMPLEĺISĺOVERLOADEDĺWITHĺCOLOUREDĺLIGHTĺTOĺCRE ATEĺVISUALĺINTERESTĺ4HESEĺLIGHTINGĺEFFECTSĺAREĺNOTĺALWAYSĺCONVINCINGLYĺMOTIVATEDĺ BYĺMISE EN SCġNEĺASĺ-ARTYĺSITSĺOUTĺBACK ĺTHEĺFOREGROUNDĺISĺAWASHĺWITHĺBLUEĺ LIGHTĺAPPARENTLYĺCOMINGĺFROMĺAĺČY ZAPPERĺONĺTHEĺWALL ĺWHILEĺTHEĺINTERIOR ĺVISIBLEĺ THROUGHĺANĺOPENĺDOORĺBEHINDĺHIM ĺPROVIDESĺYELLOW ORANGEĺCONTRASTĺ3OMEĺüLMSĺ ABANDONĺMOTIVATEDĺSOURCEĺLIGHTINGĺALTOGETHERĺASĺWITHĺTHEĺLIGHTINGĺATĺTHEĺENDĺ OFĺ0OINTĺ"LANK ĺBUTĺMOSTĺFOLLOWĺ"LOODĺ3IMPLElSĺLEADĺANDĺCONTRIVEĺSOMEĺKINDĺ OFĺMISE EN SCġNEĺEXPLANATIONĺ%VENĺSO ĺTHEĺEFFECTĺUSUALLYĺEXCEEDSĺTHEĺCAUSEĺ 3UCHĺ LIGHTINGĺ ISĺ ESPECIALLYĺ PREVALENTĺ INĺ LOW BUDGET ĺ CABLEĺ ANDĺ DIRECT TO VIDEOĺ PRODUCTIONS ĺSUCHĺASĺ4HEĺ,ASTĺ3EDUCTIONĺ ĺANDĺ4HEĺ3ETĺ5Pĺ ĺPROVID INGĺ RELATIVELYĺ CHEAPĺ VISUALSĺ INĺ THEĺ SAMEĺ WAYĺ THATĺ CHIAROSCUROĺ DIDĺ FORĺ CLASSICĺ NOIRĺANDĺDEMONSTRATINGĺTHEĺIMPOSSIBILITYĺOFĺSEPARATINGĺECONOMICĺANDĺAESTHETICĺ CONSIDERATIONS )NĺSOMEĺRESPECTS ĺTHESEĺUSESĺOFĺCOLOURĺOFFERĺAĺCONTINUATIONĺOFĺCLASSICĺNOIRĺ EXCESSIVEĺCOLOURĺISĺSTILLĺASSOCIATEDĺWITHĺMORALLYĺDANGEROUSĺLOCATIONS ĺESPECIALLYĺ THOSEĺSPACESĺWHEREĺSEDUCTIONS ĺCONSPIRACIESĺANDĺCRIMESĺTAKEĺPLACE ĺSUCHĺASĺ BARS ĺCLUBSĺANDĺALLEYWAYSĺ(OWEVER ĺAĺSTYLISEDĺCOLOURĺSYSTEMĺISĺUSUALLYĺPRESENTĺ

COLOUR AND NEO-NOIR

19

Flat white: tonal uniformity in The Last Seduction

ACROSSĺTHEĺWHOLEĺüLM ĺNOTĺJUSTĺINĺISOLATEDĺSCENES ĺANDĺALTHOUGHĺTHESEĺCOLOURSĺ AREĺSTILLĺGENERALLY ĺMOTIVATEDĺBYĺMISE EN SCġNE ĺTHEIRĺEFFECTSĺOFTENĺEXCEEDĺTHEĺ MOTIVATIONĺ4HEĺNEO FEMMEĺFATALElSĺRELATIONSHIPĺTOĺCOLOURĺISĺALSOĺSLIGHTLYĺDIFFER ENTĺ 3HEĺ ISĺ USUALLYĺ DRESSED ĺ HEAD TO TOE ĺ INĺ ONEĺ COLOURĺ INĺ "ODYĺ (EAT ĺ -ATTYĺ 7ALKERĺ +ATHLEENĺ4URNER ĺ ISĺ WEARINGĺ WHITEĺ WHENĺ .EDĺ 2ACINEĺ 7ILLIAMĺ (URT ĺ SPILLSĺAĺCHERRY REDĺSNOW CONEĺDOWNĺHERĺFRONTĺINĺ4HEĺ'RIFTERS ĺ,ILLYĺ$ILLONĺ!NJEL ICAĺ(USTON ĺISĺALSOĺüRSTĺSEENĺINĺWHITE ĺBUTĺWEARSĺREDĺWHENĺSHEĺACCIDENTALLYĺKILLSĺ HERĺ SON ĺ 2OYĺ *OHNĺ #USACK ĺ #ATHERINEĺ4RAMELLĺ 3HARONĺ 3TONE ĺ WEARSĺ SHADESĺ OFĺBEIGE ĺCREAMĺANDĺWHITEĺINĺ"ASICĺ)NSTINCTĺ ĺANDĺINĺ4HEĺ,ASTĺ3EDUCTION ĺ "RIDGETĺ'REGORYĺ,INDAĺ&IORENTINO ĺWEARSĺBLACKĺORĺGREYĺSUITSĺWITHĺWHITEĺSHIRTS ĺ UNTILĺTHEĺüNALĺSCENEĺWHENĺSHEĺWEARSĺDARK ĺMOSSYĺGREENĺ!SĺTHEĺPREVALENCEĺOFĺ WHITEĺSUGGESTS ĺTHEĺSYMBOLICĺMEANINGSĺATTACHEDĺTOĺCOLOURSĺUNDERĺTHEĺ4ECHNI COLORĺ REGIMEĺ DOĺ NOTĺ NECESSARILYĺ APPLYĺ INĺ NEO NOIRĺ )NSTEAD ĺ THEĺ FEMMEĺ FATALEĺ ISĺMOSTĺOFTENĺASSOCIATEDĺWITHĺAĺkMONOCHROMElĺLOOK ĺSIGNALLINGĺHERĺEMOTIONALĺ CONTROLĺANDĺSINGLE MINDEDNESSĺ#ONVERSELY ĺWHENĺ"RIDGETĺATTEMPTSĺTOĺTELLĺ-IKEĺ 3WALEĺ0ETERĺ"ERG ĺTHEĺTRUTH ĺCOLOURĺČOODSĺTHEĺSHOT ĺTHEĺGREENĺPOOLĺTABLEĺLIGHTĺ BEHINDĺTHEMĺCONTRASTINGĺSTRONGLYĺWITHĺREDĺüLLĺLIGHTĺWASHINGĺOVERĺTHEIRĺFACESĺANDĺ BODIESĺINĺTHEĺFOREGROUND 4HISĺWASHĺOFĺCOLOUREDĺLIGHTĺACROSSĺAĺLARGEĺSPACEĺISĺTYPICALĺOFĺNEO NOIRĺANDĺ NEEDSĺTOĺBEĺCONSIDEREDĺASĺQUITEĺDISTINCTĺFROMĺCONVENTIONALĺCHIAROSCUROĺLIGHT INGĺ4HEĺPRESENCEĺOFĺCOMPLEMENTARYĺCOLOUREDĺLIGHTĺCERTAINLYĺPROVIDESĺVISUALĺ CONTRAST ĺBUTĺpĺASĺINĺTHISĺSCENEĺpĺITĺDOESĺNOTĺALWAYSĺINVOLVEĺAĺTONALĺCONTRASTĺ BETWEENĺ LIGHTĺ ANDĺ DARKĺ IE ĺ IFĺ YOUĺ TURNĺ DOWNĺ THEĺ COLOURĺ INĺ THISĺ SCENE ĺ THEĺ IMAGEĺ ISĺ QUITEĺ EVENLYĺ GREY ĺ 3IDE LIGHTING ĺ BACK LIGHTINGĺ ANDĺ6ENETIANĺ BLINDSĺ AREĺUSEDĺINĺALMOSTĺEVERYĺNEO NOIRĺMENTIONEDĺHERE ĺBUTĺTHEĺKINDĺOFĺCOMPLEX ĺ LAYEREDĺ CHIAROSCUROĺ EFFECTSĺ FOUNDĺ INĺ CLASSICĺ NOIRĺ AREĺ RELATIVELYĺ RAREĺ )NDEED ĺ

20

NEO-NOIR

LIGHTĺ BREAKINGĺ THROUGHĺ BLINDSĺ ISĺ OFTENĺ DIFFUSEDĺ TOĺ CREATEĺ Aĺ SOFTĺ HAZEĺ THATĺ ISĺ VERYĺ DIFFERENTĺ FROMĺ THEĺ CRISP ĺ HIGHĺ CONTRASTĺ OFĺ CLASSICĺ NOIR ĺ ALTHOUGHĺ BARSĺ OFĺ SHADOWĺAREĺSTILLĺLIKELYĺTOĺFALLĺONĺWALLSĺANDĺFACESĺ)NĺCOMBINATIONĺWITHĺTHEĺUSEĺOFĺ COLOUREDĺüLTERSĺANDĺTHEĺBLURRINGĺEFFECTĺOFĺSHORTĺDEPTHĺOFĺüELD ĺTHESEĺWASHESĺOFĺ COLOURĺANDĺHAZYĺLIGHTĺOFTENĺSEEMĺTOĺČATTENĺSPACE ĺWHEREASĺCLASSICĺNOIRĺMOREĺ COMMONLYĺEMPHASISEDĺSPATIALĺDEPTHĺ#HIAROSCUROĺLIGHTINGĺHELPEDĺEXPRESSĺTHEĺ AMBIVALENCEĺ OFĺ THEĺ CLASSICĺ NOIRĺ WORLDĺ INĺ NEO NOIR ĺ COLOURĺ SHAPESĺ Aĺ DIFFERENTĺ MORALĺUNIVERSEĺ

The world through jade-tinted glasses 4HEĺüRSTĺFEWĺSHOTSĺOFĺ5NDERNEATHĺAREĺMONOCHROME ĺJADEĺGREENĺ)TĺISĺNOTĺIM MEDIATELYĺAPPARENTĺWHYĺ)NĺTHEĺCONTEXTĺOFĺAĺNARRATIVEĺüLM ĺTHEĺCOLOURĺSEEMSĺ EXCESSIVE ĺEVENĺBEYONDĺMEANING ĺBECAUSEĺITĺDOESĺNOTĺCONFORMĺTOĺCONVENTIONALĺ CODESĺOFĺREALISM ĺCOLOURĺSYMBOLISMĺORĺPSYCHOLOGICALĺMOTIVATIONĺ.AREMOREĺSUG GESTSĺTHATĺTHEĺüLM ĺLIKEĺkAĺGREATĺMANYĺRETROĺORĺmNEO NOIRnĺüLMSĺUSE;S=ĺCOLOREDĺ LIGHTĺaĺTOĺEVOKEĺTHEĺMONOCHROMATICĺTRADITIONĺOFĺHIGHĺCONTRAST ĺBLACK AND WHITEĺ THRILLERSlĺĺ ĺ)MPLICITLY ĺCOLOURĺISĺASSUMEDĺTOĺACHIEVEĺANĺEQUIVALENTĺEF FECTĺTOĺBLACK AND WHITEĺCHIAROSCUROĺ"UTĺCOLOUR ĺBYĺDEüNITION ĺISĺNOTĺBLACK AND WHITEĺ#OLOURĺpĺEVENĺMONOCHROMEĺCOLOURĺpĺEXCEEDSĺTHEĺBINARYĺAMBIVALENCEĺOFĺ BLACK AND WHITEĺTHEREĺISĺLIGHT ĺDARKĺANDĺGREENĺ #OLOURĺ PROLIFERATES ĺ ESCAPESĺ ANDĺ EXCEEDSĺ MEANINGĺ !Sĺ $AVIDĺ "ATCHELORĺ NOTES ĺkTHEĺIDEAĺTHATĺCOLOURĺISĺBEYOND ĺBENEATHĺORĺINĺSOMEĺOTHERĺWAYĺATĺTHEĺLIMITĺ OFĺLANGUAGEĺHASĺBEENĺEXPRESSEDĺINĺAĺNUMBERĺOFĺWAYSĺBYĺAĺNUMBERĺOFĺWRITERSlĺ ĺ ĺ(EĺSUMMARISESĺ*ULIAĺ+RISTEVAlSĺSEMIOTIC PSYCHOANALYTICĺARGUMENTĺ CONCISELYĺ Colour, for Kristeva, is linked to ‘subject/object indeterminacy’, to a state before the self is formed in language, before the world is fully differentiated from the subject. And colour always exists as a disruption in the symbolic order … Consequently, ‘the chromatic experience constitutes a menace to the “self”’. Or, as Kristeva then puts it: ‘Colour is the shattering of unity.’ It is as if colour begins not just to interrupt the process of selfformation, but to throw it into reverse; it is as if colour serves to de-differentiate the self and de-form the world. (2000: 82, quoting Kristeva 1980: 220–1) 4HEĺ SHATTERINGĺ OFĺ UNITYĺ4HEĺ PHRASEĺ MIGHTĺ DESCRIBEĺ NEO NOIRĺ ASĺ MUCHĺ ASĺ THEĺ POWERĺOFĺCOLOURĺ )NĺNEO NOIR ĺTHEĺWORLDĺISĺNOTĺWHATĺITĺSEEMSĺ#ORRUPTIONĺISĺNOĺLONGERĺCONüNEDĺ TOĺ,OSĺ!NGELESĺTHEĺCITY ĺTHEĺSMALLĺTOWN ĺTHEĺDESERT ĺTHEĺPAST ĺTHEĺPRESENT ĺEVENĺ THEĺFUTUREĺpĺALLĺDUPLICITOUS ĺCORRUPTĺANDĺDEGENERATEĺ0EOPLElSĺMOTIVESĺAREĺHID DEN ĺSOMETIMESĺEVENĺFROMĺTHEMSELVESĺ&IGHTĺ#LUB ĺ-EMENTO ĺ4HEĺ-ACHINISTĺ  ĺ )Nĺ 4HEĺ #ONVERSATIONĺ  ĺ (ARRYĺ #AULĺ 'ENEĺ (ACKMAN ĺ OBSESSIVELYĺ

COLOUR AND NEO-NOIR

21

ATTEMPTSĺ TOĺ PIECEĺ TOGETHERĺ FRAGMENTSĺ OFĺ SOUNDĺ TOĺ DISCOVERĺ THEĺ kTRUTHl ĺ ONLYĺ TOĺ REALISEĺ HEĺ HASĺ BEENĺ MANIPULATEDĺ STILLĺ UNSUREĺ WHOĺ BYĺ ANDĺ WHY ĺ HEĺ ENDSĺ UPĺTEARINGĺAPARTĺHISĺHOMEĺSEARCHINGĺFORĺSURVEILLANCEĺEQUIPMENTĺ0ARANOIAĺANDĺ CONSPIRACYĺ DOMINATEĺ NEO NOIR ĺ SHORT CIRCUITINGĺ EPISTEMOLOGICALĺ ANDĺ MORALĺ CER TAINTYĺ3CIENCEĺüCTIONĺNOIRSĺLIKEĺ"LADEĺ2UNNERĺ ĺANDĺ$ARKĺ#ITYĺ ĺTAKEĺ SUCHĺ CONSPIRACIESĺ TOĺ THEĺ LOGICALĺ EXTREME ĺ!ĺ WORLDĺ PEOPLEDĺ WITHĺ ANTI HEROES ĺ CONSPIRATORS ĺFEMMEĺFATALESĺANDĺPSYCHOPATHSĺISĺINHERENTLYĺAĺWORLDĺINĺWHICHĺTHEĺ VERYĺCONCEPTĺOFĺTHEĺUNIüEDĺkSELFlĺISĺUNDERĺTHREATĺ#OLOURĺPROVIDESĺAĺPARTICULARLYĺ AFFECTIVEĺWAYĺOFĺREPRESENTINGĺTHISĺTHREATĺ .AREMOREĺNOTESĺTHATĺ5NDERNEATHĺINCLUDESĺkWHOLEĺSEQUENCESĺ;SHOT=ĺTHROUGHĺ RED ĺBLUE ĺORĺGREENĺüLTERSlĺĺ ĺBUTĺHEĺDOESĺNOTĺCONNECTĺTHISĺCHOICEĺOFĺ COLOURSĺTOĺTHEĺSPECTRUMĺTHESEĺAREĺTHEĺPRIMARIESĺOFĺLIGHTĺ!TĺAĺBASICĺLEVEL ĺTHEN ĺ THEĺüLMMAKERSĺHAVEĺFOREGROUNDEDĺTHEĺkSPLITTINGlĺOFĺWHITEĺLIGHTĺINTOĺTHEĺCOLOURSĺ OFĺ THEĺ SPECTRUMĺ4HISĺ FRAGMENTATIONĺ ISĺ CARRIEDĺ THROUGHĺ ATĺ ALLĺ LEVELSĺ SPATIALLY ĺ TEMPORALLY ĺVISUALLY ĺAURALLY ĺEXPERIENTIALLYĺ4HEĺOPENINGĺJADE TINTEDĺSHOTSĺSHOWĺ AĺMANĺ0ETERĺ'ALLAGHER ĺDRIVINGĺAĺTRUCK ĺOVERTAKINGĺAĺVANĺONĺAĺHIGHWAYĺANĺOLDERĺ MANĺ0AULĺ$OOLEY ĺSITSĺNEXTĺTOĺHIMĺ)NĺONEĺSHOT ĺANĺOUT OF FOCUSĺBARĺOFĺMUTEDĺREDĺ APPEARSĺALONGĺTHEĺBOTTOMĺOFĺTHEĺOTHERWISEĺGREENĺFRAMEĺ.EITHERĺMANĺSPEAKS ĺ BUTĺTHEYĺEXCHANGEĺLOOKS ĺANDĺWEĺMIGHTĺINFERĺFROMĺTHEĺWAYĺTHEĺDRIVERĺWATCHESĺ THEĺVANlSĺREČECTIONĺINĺTHEĺWINGĺMIRRORĺTHATĺSOMETHINGĺISĺGOINGĺONĺHEREĺ"EFOREĺ WEĺCANĺüNDĺOUTĺWHAT ĺTHEĺSCENEĺCUTSĺTOĺTHEĺSAMEĺMANĺ'ALLAGHER ĺINĺTHEĺBACKĺ OFĺAĺYELLOWĺTAXIĺpĺINĺkNATURALlĺCOLOURĺ(EĺSTARESĺOUTĺTHEĺWINDOW ĺWHICHĺREČECTSĺ AĺSUBURBANĺSTREETĺINĺITSĺHIGHLYĺPOLISHEDĺSURFACEĺ4HEĺSCENEĺCUTSĺTOĺHIMĺDRIVINGĺ THEĺTRUCK ĺTHENĺBACKĺTOĺHIMĺINĺTHEĺCABĺ!ĺDISEMBODIEDĺWOMANlSĺVOICEĺASKS ĺk!REĺ YOUĺGETTINlĺOFFĺATĺ!USTINlĺ!ĺMALEĺVOICEĺTHATĺWEĺMIGHTĺRECOGNISEĺASĺ'ALLAGHERlS ĺ GRUNTSĺAĺREPLYĺ4HEIRĺCONVERSATIONĺCONTINUES ĺBUTĺALLĺWEĺSEEĺISĺTHEĺMANĺSTARINGĺ OUTĺTHEĺWINDOWĺWEĺMIGHTĺASSUMEĺTHATĺHEĺISĺREMEMBERINGĺTHISĺCONVERSATIONĺ 4HEĺSEQUENCEĺCUTSĺTOĺAĺBUS ĺWHEREĺTHEĺOWNERĺOFĺTHEĺVOICEĺISĺREVEALEDĺANDĺWEĺ SEEĺ HERĺ TALKINGĺ TOĺ THEĺ MANĺ kINĺ PERSONlĺ4HEYĺ INTRODUCEĺ THEMSELVESĺ ASĺ 3USANĺ %LISABETHĺ3HUE ĺANDĺ-ICHAELĺ'ALLAGHER ĺ!URALLY ĺTHEĺSHORTĺCONVERSATIONĺCONTIN UESĺWITHOUTĺINTERRUPTION ĺASĺVISUALLYĺTHEĺSCENEĺCUTSĺBACKĺTOĺTHEĺTAXI ĺTHENĺTOĺTHEĺ BUS ĺTHENĺTOĺTHEĺBUSĺSTATIONĺANDĺüNALLYĺTOĺTHEĺCABĺARRIVINGĺATĺITSĺDESTINATIONĺHISĺ MOTHERlSĺHOUSEĺ)NĺLESSĺTHANĺTWO AND A HALFĺMINUTES ĺWEĺHAVEĺSEENĺ-ICHAELĺINĺ FOURĺDIFFERENTĺLOCATIONSĺATĺFOURĺDIFFERENTĺTIMES ĺBUTĺREMAINĺVERYĺUNCERTAINĺASĺTOĺ WHATĺISĺPAST ĺPRESENTĺORĺFUTUREĺ !TĺAĺPRAGMATICĺLEVEL ĺTHEĺMONOCHROMATICĺGREENĺALERTSĺUSĺTOĺPAYĺATTENTION ĺ ENABLINGĺUSĺTOĺFOLLOWĺTHEĺFACTĺOFĺSPATIAL TEMPORALĺDISJUNCTIONĺINDEED ĺWEĺMIGHTĺ SAYĺ THATĺ THEĺ EXPERIENCEĺ OFĺ FRAGMENTATIONĺ ISĺ THEĺ POINTĺ OFĺ THISĺ SEQUENCEĺ4HEĺ ABSTRACTĺCOLOURĺISĺALSOĺPARTĺOFĺTHEĺüLMlSĺSYSTEMĺOFĺMISE EN SCġNEĺANDĺNARRATIVEĺ STRUCTUREĺ )NSIDEĺ -ICHAELlSĺ MOTHERlSĺ HOUSE ĺ THEĺ LIVINGĺ ROOMĺ ISĺ PARTITIONEDĺ BYĺ WOODENĺFRAMESĺTHATĺHOLDĺRECTANGLESĺOFĺBLUE ĺGREENĺORĺYELLOWĺGLASSĺ4HEĺGLASSĺ ISĺUSEDĺATĺVARIOUSĺPOINTSĺTOĺCASTĺCOLOUREDĺLIGHTĺONĺTOĺPEOPLElSĺFACESĺANDĺEVENĺ

22

NEO-NOIR

TOĺkSPLITlĺTHEĺSCREENĺINTOĺDISTINCTĺBOXESĺFORĺEXAMPLE ĺ-ICHAELĺISĺSEENĺTHROUGHĺAĺ BLUEĺGLASSĺRECTANGLE ĺISOLATEDĺFROMĺHISĺMOTHERĺ!NJANETTEĺ#OMER ĺONĺTHEĺOTHERĺ SIDEĺOFĺTHEĺPARTITIONĺ4HEĺüLMĺOFTENĺDRAWSĺATTENTIONĺTOĺTRANSPARENTĺANDĺREČECTIVEĺ SURFACES ĺSUCHĺASĺTHEĺWINGĺMIRRORĺANDĺTAXIĺWINDOWĺ4HEĺMONOCHROMEĺGREENĺISĺ RETROSPECTIVELYĺkEXPLAINEDlĺINĺTHISĺWAYĺpĺTHEĺREDĺARMOUREDĺTRUCKĺHASĺGREEN TINTEDĺ WINDOWSĺpĺBUTĺASĺWITHĺ"LOODĺ3IMPLE ĺTHEĺEFFECTĺEXCEEDSĺDIEGETICĺMOTIVATIONĺ EVENĺ SHOTSĺ WITHINĺ THEĺ TRUCKĺ APPEARĺ GREEN ĺ NOTĺ JUSTĺ THOSEĺ THROUGHĺ THEĺ WIND SCREENĺ!ND ĺ WHYĺ GREENĺ &ORĺ THEĺ SAMEĺ REASONĺ THATĺ THEĺ TRUCKĺ ISĺ REDĺ ANDĺ THEĺ FRAMEDĺGLASSĺISĺBLUEĺTHEĺüLMĺEXPLOITSĺCOLOURĺNOTĺASĺAĺkNATURALlĺPHENOMENON ĺBUTĺ ASĺANĺABSTRACTĺMODEĺOFĺEXPRESSIONĺ "ATCHELORlSĺ DISCUSSIONĺ OFĺ COLOURĺ PROVIDESĺ ANOTHERĺ WAYĺ OFĺ CONCEPTUALISINGĺ THISĺARTIüCIAL ĺCOLOUREDĺSURFACEĺ&OCUSINGĺONĺ0OPĺ!RTĺANDĺ-INIMALISM ĺHEĺARGUES ĺ kSOMETHINGĺIMPORTANTĺHAPPENEDĺTOĺCOLOURĺINĺARTĺINĺTHEĺSlĺĺ ĺTHEĺ USEĺOFĺLIGHTĺINDUSTRIALĺMATERIALSĺpĺPAINT ĺPLASTICS ĺMETALS ĺLIGHTSĺpĺLEDĺTOĺWHATĺHEĺ TERMSĺTHEĺkDIGITALISATIONĺOFĺCOLOURlĺĺ ĺ4RADITIONALLY ĺARTISTSĺBLENDEDĺTHEIRĺ OWNĺCOLOURSĺFROMĺSMALLĺTUBESĺOFĺOILĺPAINTĺANĺANALOGUEĺCONTINUUMĺOFĺCOLOUR ĺ CONTEMPORARYĺARTISTSĺWEREĺABLEĺTOĺPICKĺAĺCANĺOFĺPAINTĺINĺTHEĺEXACTĺSHADEĺTHEYĺ WANTED ĺUSINGĺAĺCOLOURĺCHARTĺ)NĺTHISĺRESPECT ĺkDIGITALĺCOLOURĺISĺINDIVIDUATEDĺITĺ COMESĺINĺDISCRETEĺUNITSĺTHEREĺISĺNOĺMERGENCEĺORĺMODULATIONlĺIBID ĺ"ATCHELORlSĺ DESCRIPTIONĺRESONATESĺWITHĺTHEĺKINDĺOFĺDELIMITED ĺkČATlĺCOLOURSĺFOUNDĺINĺNEO NOIRĺ METAPHORICALLY ĺTHISĺSENSEĺOFĺINDIVIDUATEDĺDIGITALĺCOLOURSĺCANĺBEĺLINKEDĺTOĺFRAG MENTATIONĺANDĺNEO NOIRlSĺMOODĺOFĺALIENATIONĺ)Nĺ5NDERNEATH ĺFORĺEXAMPLE ĺTHEĺ kDISCRETEĺUNITSlĺOFĺCOLOUREDĺGLASSĺWHICHĺISOLATEĺ-ICHAELĺFROMĺTHEĺWORLDĺAROUNDĺ HIMĺREITERATEĺTHEĺOPENINGĺSEQUENCElSĺFRAGMENTATIONĺOFĺSPACE ĺJUSTĺASĺAĺSPLIT FOCUSĺDIOPTERĺLENSĺVISUALISESĺHISĺALIENATIONĺFROMĺHISĺFAMILYĺ3TRIKINGLY ĺ"ATCHELORĺ LINKSĺDIGITALISEDĺCOLOURSĺTOĺkWORKSĺOFĺARTĺTHATĺREFER ĺDIRECTLYĺORĺINDIRECTLY ĺTOĺTHEĺ EXPERIENCEĺOFĺMODERNITYĺ4HESEĺCOLOURSĺAREĺMOREĺaĺURBANĺCOLOURSĺTHANĺTHEĺCOL OURSĺOFĺNATUREĺ!RTIüCIALĺCOLOURS ĺCITYĺCOLOURS ĺINDUSTRIALĺCOLOURSlĺĺ ĺ7Eĺ AREĺUNDOUBTEDLYĺINĺNEO NOIRĺTERRITORYĺHERE ĺFROMĺTHEĺCORRUPTĺNEONĺCITIESĺOFĺ4AXIĺ $RIVERĺANDĺ3EEN ĺTOĺTHEĺSICKLY ĺČUORESCENTĺGREENĺOFĺTHEĺkTOXICĺWASTEĺPARTĺOFĺ TOWNlĺWHEREĺ4YLERĺ$URDENĺ"RADĺ0ITT ĺLIVESĺINĺ&IGHTĺ#LUB ĺANDĺTHEĺLITERALLYĺDIGITALĺ COLOURSĺOFĺ$ARKĺ#ITYĺANDĺ3INĺ#ITYĺ )NDIVIDUATED ĺARTIüCIALĺCOLOURĺOFTENĺOCCURSĺALONGSIDEĺEXCESSIVEĺCOLOURĺASĺLOSSĺ OFĺCONTROLĺ)Nĺ7ESTERNĺCULTURE ĺVIVIDĺCOLOURSĺHAVEĺREPEATEDLYĺBEENĺASSOCIATEDĺ WITHĺINTOXICATION ĺHALLUCINATION ĺIRRATIONALITYĺANDĺCHAOSĺ)NĺMOSTĺCASES ĺTHISĺHASĺ BEENĺCONSTRUCTEDĺASĺAĺDANGEROUSĺLOSSĺOFĺCONTROL ĺASĺSOMETHINGĺkAPOCALYPTICĺaĺ #OLOURĺREQUIRES ĺORĺRESULTSĺIN ĺORĺPERHAPSĺJUSTĺIS ĺAĺLOSSĺOFĺFOCUS ĺOFĺIDENTITY ĺOFĺ SELFĺ!ĺLOSSĺOFĺMIND ĺAĺKINDĺOFĺDELIRIUM ĺAĺKINDĺOFĺMADNESSĺPERHAPSlĺ"ATCHELORĺ ĺ ĺ3COTTIElSĺHALLUCINATIONSĺINĺ6ERTIGOĺAREĺAĺGOODĺEXAMPLEĺOFĺTHISĺkKINDĺOFĺ MADNESSl ĺASĺAREĺTHEĺPATIENTSlĺPSYCHOTICĺBREAKSĺINĺ3HOCKĺ#ORRIDORĺ)TĺALSOĺEX PLAINSĺWHYĺMORALLYĺANDĺPHYSICALLYĺDANGEROUSĺLOCATIONSĺINĺNEO NOIRĺAREĺSWAMPEDĺ WITHĺCOLOUREDĺNEONĺLIGHTĺ4HEĺMETAPHORICĺUSEĺOFĺCOLOURĺASĺLOSSĺOFĺCONTROLĺUSUALLYĺ

COLOUR AND NEO-NOIR

23

OCCURSĺINĺINDIVIDUALĺSCENESĺTHEĺ-OVIEĺ(OUSEĺBRAWLĺINĺ0OINTĺ"LANK ĺFORĺEXAMPLE ĺ ORĺTHEĺ,USTĺMURDERĺSCENEĺINĺ3EENĺ)NĺOTHERĺüLMS ĺCOLOURĺpĺOFTENĺSPECIüCALLYĺ REDĺpĺACCUMULATESĺANDĺINTENSIüESĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺNARRATIVE ĺINDICATINGĺTHEĺPROTAGO NISTlSĺGRADUALĺLOSSĺOFĺCONTROLĺ4HUS ĺTHEĺMUTEDĺQUALITATIVEĺSHADESĺOFĺ3LAMĺ$ANCEĺ  ĺINITIALLYĺSEEMĺALMOSTĺkBLACK AND WHITEl ĺBUTĺINCREASINGĺAMOUNTSĺOFĺREDĺBE GINĺTOĺAPPEAR ĺüNALLYĺOVERWHELMINGĺTHEĺFRAMEĺINĺTHEĺVIOLENTLYĺREDĺANDĺMAGENTAĺ HOTELĺROOMĺWHEREĺ3MILEYĺ(ARRYĺ$EANĺ3TANTON ĺISĺKILLEDĺ !Sĺ THESEĺ EXAMPLESĺ SUGGEST ĺ COLOURĺ ASĺ kMADNESSlĺ ORĺ LOSSĺ OFĺ CONTROLĺ FRE QUENTLYĺBECOMESĺATTACHEDĺTOĺTHEĺTHREATĺTOĺSELFĺ4HEĺMOSTĺBASICĺWAYĺTHATĺIDENTITYĺ ISĺTHREATENEDĺINĺNEO NOIRĺISĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺDEVICEĺOFĺTHEĺNEMESISĺ)NĺüLMSĺSUCHĺ ASĺ "LADEĺ 2UNNER ĺ "LACKĺ7IDOW ĺ "ASICĺ )NSTINCTĺ ANDĺ 3EEN ĺ THEĺ MORALĺ DISTINC TIONSĺ BETWEENĺ INVESTIGATORĺ ANDĺ CRIMINALĺ DISINTEGRATEĺ ANĺ INVESTIGATORĺ TRACKINGĺ AĺCRIMINAL ĺBECOMESĺOBSESSEDĺANDĺkCORRUPTEDl ĺLOSINGĺSENSEĺOFĺHIMHERĺkSELFlĺ 4HEĺEXTENTĺTOĺWHICHĺCOLOURĺEXPRESSESĺTHISĺRELATIONSHIPĺVARIES ĺBUTĺ-ANHUNTERĺ ISĺAĺGOODĺEXAMPLEĺ7ILLĺ'RAHAMĺ7ILLIAMĺ0ETERSEN ĺISĺHUNTINGĺFORĺAĺSERIALĺKILLERĺ NICKNAMEDĺTHEĺ4OOTHĺ&AIRYĺ4OMĺ.OONAN ĺ7ILLĺPREVIOUSLYĺSUFFEREDĺAĺBREAKDOWNĺ AFTERĺIDENTIFYINGĺTOOĺCLOSELYĺWITHĺANOTHERĺSERIALĺKILLER ĺ$Rĺ(ANNIBALĺ,ECKTORĺ"RIANĺ #OX ĺ4OĺkRECOVERĺTHEĺMINDSETlĺHISĺWORDS ĺ7ILLĺVISITSĺ,ECKTORĺINĺPRISONĺ4HEĺCELLĺ ISĺWHITEĺANDĺPALEĺGREYĺINCLUDINGĺ,ECKTORlSĺUNIFORM ĺWHILEĺ7ILLĺISĺDRESSEDĺINĺDARKĺ COLOURS ĺ INCLUDINGĺ Aĺ JADEĺ GREENĺ SHIRTĺ Aĺ COLOURĺ THATĺ LINKSĺ7ILL ĺ ,ECKTORĺ ANDĺ THEĺ 4OOTHĺ&AIRY ĺ7HILEĺ,ECKTORĺREADSĺTHEĺ4OOTHĺ&AIRYĺüLE ĺ7ILLĺABSTRACTEDLYĺSTARESĺ TOĺTHEĺLEFTĺAĺDISSOLVEĺSHOWSĺ,ECKTORlSĺSINK ĺSEENĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺBARSĺOFĺTHEĺCELL ĺ ILLUMINATEDĺ FROMĺ WITHINĺ BYĺ ANĺ UNMOTIVATEDĺ MAGENTAĺ GLOWĺ4HEĺ CAMERAĺ PANSĺ RIGHTĺTOĺ,ECKTORlSĺBOOKCASEĺPURPLEĺLIGHTĺENHANCESĺLILACĺBOOKĺCOVERSĺANDĺCOM PLEMENTSĺTHEĺJADEĺSPINESĺOFĺOTHERSĺ0ANNINGĺPASTĺTHEĺSHELFĺTOĺTHEĺWHITEĺBRICKĺ WALL ĺTHEĺIMAGEĺLOSESĺFOCUSĺANDĺTHEĺSCENEĺCUTSĺBACKĺTOĺ7ILLĺSTARINGĺATĺTHATĺSPACEĺ OFFSCREEN ĺ(EĺJUMPSĺWHENĺ,ECKTORlSĺVOICEĺCALLSĺHIMĺBACKĺTOĺREALITYĺ0REVIOUSLY ĺ THEĺCONVERSATIONĺUSEDĺCONVENTIONALĺSHOTREVERSE SHOTĺCUTTINGĺNOW ĺASĺTHEYĺDIS CUSSĺTHEĺ4OOTHĺ&AIRY ĺSTRAIGHT ONĺSHOTSĺOFĺ7ILLĺANDĺ,ECKTORĺFROMĺTHEĺMIDDLEĺOFĺ THEĺLINEĺOFĺAXISĺAREĺINTERCUT ĺASĺIFĺTHEYĺAREĺREČECTIONSĺOFĺEACHĺOTHERĺ,ECKTORĺISĺ NOTĺFOOLEDĺpĺk9OUĺCAMEĺHEREĺTOĺLOOKĺATĺME ĺTOĺGETĺTHEĺOLDĺSCENTĺBACKĺAGAINlĺpĺ ANDĺASKSĺIFĺ7ILLĺKNOWSĺHOWĺHEĺCAUGHTĺHIMĺ!GITATED ĺ7ILLĺBANGSĺONĺTHEĺDOORĺ TOĺLEAVE ĺESCAPINGĺASĺ,ECKTORĺEXPLAINS ĺk"ECAUSEĺWElREĺJUSTĺALIKEĺ9OUĺWANTĺTHEĺ SCENTĺ3MELLĺYOURSELFlĺ7ILLĺČEESĺTHEĺBUILDINGĺANDĺLEANSĺOVERĺAĺRAILING ĺPANTINGĺ !ĺPOINT OF VIEWĺSHOTĺüLLSĺTHEĺFRAMEĺWITHĺOUTĺOFĺFOCUSĺGREENĺGRASSĺ#OLOURĺHEREĺ ISĺkAĺLOSSĺOFĺFOCUS ĺOFĺIDENTITY ĺOFĺSELFlĺ"ATCHELORĺĺ ĺ5NSURPRISINGLY ĺTHEĺ 4OOTHĺ&AIRYĺISĺASSOCIATEDĺWITHĺAĺRIOTĺOFĺGREENS ĺORANGE REDS ĺBLUESĺANDĺPATTERNSĺ ANDĺITĺSHOULDĺNOTĺBEĺFORGOTTENĺTHATĺHISĺPREFERREDĺNAME ĺTHEĺDRIVINGĺFORCEĺOFĺHISĺ PSYCHOTICĺFANTASY ĺISĺ2EDĺ$RAGONĺ 4HEĺNEMESISĺTROPEĺISĺTAKENĺFURTHERĺINĺ&IGHTĺ#LUB ĺ,OSTĺ(IGHWAYĺ ĺ-UL HOLLANDĺ$Rĺ ĺ&EARĺ8ĺ ĺANDĺ4HEĺ-ACHINIST ĺSHATTERINGĺTHEĺBARRIERSĺBE TWEENĺSELFOTHER ĺREALITYFANTASY ĺMEMORYDREAM ĺANDĺMAINTAININGĺAĺkPSYCHOTIClĺ

24

NEO-NOIR

UNCERTAINTYĺ FORĺ BOTHĺ THEĺ CHARACTERSĺ ANDĺ THEĺ SPECTATORĺ !Sĺ &REDĺ -ADISONĺ "ILLĺ 0ULLMAN ĺSAYSĺINĺ,OSTĺ(IGHWAY ĺk)ĺLIKEĺTOĺREMEMBERĺTHINGSĺMYĺOWNĺWAYĺaĺ(OWĺ )ĺREMEMBEREDĺTHEM ĺNOTĺNECESSARILYĺTHEĺWAYĺTHEYĺHAPPENEDlĺ4HISĺMIGHTĺALSOĺ SERVEĺASĺAĺWAYĺOFĺGRASPINGĺTHEĺüLMlSĺPLOTĺTHEREĺISĺNOĺkTRUElĺMEANINGĺ)TĺDOESĺ NOTĺ MATTERĺ WHETHERĺ &REDĺ LITERALLYĺ BECOMESĺ 0ETEĺ $AYTONĺ "ALTHAZARĺ 'ETTY ĺ ORĺ WHETHERĺ2ENEEĺ-ADISONĺANDĺ!LICEĺ7AKEüELDĺ0ATRICIAĺ!RQUETTE ĺAREĺLITERALLYĺTHEĺ SAMEĺ WOMANĺ7HATĺ MATTERSĺ ISĺ THEĺ DISCONTINUOUS ĺ DREAM LIKEĺ UNCERTAINTYĺ OFĺ EXPERIENCINGĺTHEĺüLMĺ 4HEĺTENSEĺABSTRACTIONĺOFĺTHEĺüRSTĺSECTIONĺOFĺTHEĺüLM ĺFOCUSINGĺONĺ&REDĺANDĺ2E NEElSĺMARRIAGE ĺISĺENHANCEDĺBYĺTHEĺMUTED ĺLIMITEDĺPALETTEĺOFĺCOLOURSĺ&REQUENT LYĺSHOTĺAGAINSTĺNEUTRAL COLOUREDĺWALLSĺANDĺWITHĺSHALLOWĺDEPTHĺOFĺüELD ĺWITHOUTĺ BACK LIGHTING ĺ&REDĺANDĺLATERĺ0ETE ĺSEEMSĺTOĺMERGEĺWITHĺTHEĺBACKGROUNDĺ4HISĺ LENDSĺRESONANCEĺTOĺTHEĺUNCANNYĺMOMENTĺWHENĺ&REDĺDISAPPEARSĺINTOĺTHEĺDARK NESS ĺTHEĺNIGHTĺ2ENEEĺISĺAPPARENTLY ĺMURDEREDĺTHEĺSHADOWYĺCORRIDORĺENGULFSĺ HIMĺ7EĺNEXTĺSEEĺHIM ĺSTILLĺINĺDARKNESS ĺINĺFRONTĺOFĺAĺMIRRORĺAĺSIMILARĺSHOTĺOFĺ 0ETEĺOCCURSĺLATERĺINĺTHEĺüLM ĺ)TĺISĺNOTĺCLEARĺWHEREĺTHISĺMIRRORĺIS ĺSINCEĺTHEREĺISĺNOĺ MIRRORĺINĺTHEĺLIVINGĺROOMĺANDĺHEĺDOESĺNOTĺREPLYĺWHENĺ2ENEEĺCALLSĺHISĺNAMEĺ4WOĺ SHADOWSĺAREĺSEENĺMOVINGĺACROSSĺTHEĺLIVINGĺROOMĺWALLSĺTOWARDSĺTHEĺHALLWAYĺ &REDĺALONEĺEMERGESĺFROMĺTHEĺDARKNESSĺ4HISĺDECEPTIVE ĺČAT DEEPĺDARKNESSĺCON TRASTSĺWITHĺTHEĺČASHINGĺBLUEĺLIGHTNINGĺMOTIF ĺWHICHĺAPPEARSĺATĺTHOSEĺMOMENTSĺ WHENĺ THEĺ TWOĺ STORIESWORLDSĺ COLLIDE ĺ MOSTĺ NOTABLYĺ WHENĺ 0ETEĺ REPLACESĺ &REDĺ INĺTHEĺJAILĺCELLĺ#OLOUR ĺMISE EN SCġNEĺANDĺMUSICĺREPEATEDLYĺLINKĺ0ETEĺANDĺ&REDĺ EACHĺOFĺTHESEĺkČASHESlĺOFĺCONNECTIONĺMAKESĺ0ETElSĺHEADĺHURTĺASĺ&REDlSĺDIDĺPRIORĺ TOĺTHEĺCHANGEOVER ĺ&ORĺEXAMPLE ĺSEEINGĺAĺPHOTOGRAPHĺOFĺ-Rĺ%DDYĺ2OBERTĺ,OG GIA ĺ2ENEE ĺ!LICEĺANDĺ!NDYĺ-ICHAELĺ-ASSEE ĺ0ETEĺASKSĺ!LICE ĺk)SĺTHATĺYOUĺ!REĺ BOTHĺOFĺTHEMĺYOUlĺ(ERĺANSWERĺk4HATlSĺME lĺPOINTINGĺTOĺTHEĺBLONDE ĺSEEMSĺTOĺ CAUSEĺHISĺNOSEBLEEDĺ(EĺGOESĺUPSTAIRSĺINĺSEARCHĺOFĺTHEĺBATHROOMĺTHUDDINGĺMU SICĺBEGINSĺAĺTRACKĺCALLEDĺk2AMMSTEINl ĺBYĺ2AMMSTEIN ĺAĺLONGĺCORRIDORĺLEADSĺTOĺ AĺREDĺCURTAINĺTHATĺREMINDSĺUSĺOFĺ&REDĺANDĺ2ENEElSĺBEDROOMĺBIZARRELY ĺTHEĺDOORSĺ HAVEĺNUMBERSĺONĺTHEMĺ"LUEĺLIGHTNINGĺČASHESĺBEHINDĺ0ETEĺASĺHEĺAPPROACHESĺ ANDĺOPENSĺDOORĺĺ)NSIDE ĺORANGEĺLIGHTĺSEEMSĺTOĺMAKEĺTHEĺIMAGEĺWAVER ĺLIKEĺ VOLCANICĺHEATĺ2ENEE!LICEĺORĺSOMEONEĺELSE ĺISĺREČECTEDĺINĺAĺMIRROR ĺWEARINGĺ ANĺORANGEĺWIGĺ4HEĺINTENSEĺCOLOUR ĺSOUNDĺANDĺIMAGEĺENDĺABRUPTLYĺASĺ0ETEĺSHUTSĺ THEĺDOORĺANDĺLEANSĺAGAINSTĺTHEĺWALLĺ4HEĺSEQUENCEĺISĺREITERATEDĺATĺTHEĺ,OSTĺ(IGH WAYĺ(OTELĺ&REDĺWATCHESĺ2ENEEĺLEAVEĺ-Rĺ%DDY$ICKĺ,AURENT ĺTHENĺAPPROACHESĺ ROOMĺĺHIMSELF ĺBLUEĺLIGHTNINGĺČASHINGĺBEHINDĺHIMĺk2AMMSTEINlĺRETURNS ĺASĺ HEĺCRACKSĺ-Rĺ%DDY$ICKĺ,AURENTĺONĺTHEĺHEADĺANDĺABDUCTSĺHIMĺ(ELPEDĺBYĺTHEĺ -YSTERYĺ-ANĺ2OBERTĺ"LAKE ĺ&REDĺKILLSĺ$ICKĺ,AURENTĺANDĺRETURNSĺHOMEĺk-AKINGĺ SENSElĺOFĺ,OSTĺ(IGHWAYĺREQUIRESĺRADICALLYĺRECONCEPTUALISINGĺTIMEĺANDĺSPACE ĺSOĺ THATĺ&REDlSĺüNALĺUTTERANCEĺOFĺk$ICKĺ,AURENTĺISĺDEADlĺCANĺBEĺUNDERSTOODĺASĺINITIAT INGĺTHEĺEVENTSĺOFĺTHEĺPASTĺ3UCHĺDISCONTINUITYĺENSURESĺAĺCOHERENTĺkSELFlĺCANNOTĺ EXISTĺ&REDlSĺHEADĺkEXPLODESlĺ5NITYĺISĺSHATTERED

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25

Conclusion: (no) exit &EWĺ NEO NOIRSĺ SHATTERĺ UNITYĺ ASĺ EXTREMELYĺ ASĺ ,OSTĺ (IGHWAY ĺ BUTĺ EVENĺ "ASICĺ )NSTINCTĺ SHOWSĺ SIGNSĺ OFĺ THISĺ KINDĺ OFĺ EPISTEMOLOGICALĺ UNCERTAINTY ĺ REFUSINGĺ TOĺ RESOLVE ĺONCEĺANDĺFORĺALL ĺTHEĺQUESTION ĺk$IDĺSHE ĺORĺDIDNlTĺSHElĺ!SĺTHEĺMEN TIONĺ OFĺ THEĺ MONOCHROME ĺ SELF CONTROLLEDĺ FEMMEĺ FATALEĺ REVEALS ĺ HOWEVER ĺ THEĺ THREATĺTOĺTHEĺkSELFlĺREMAINSĺPRIMARILYĺAĺTHREATĺTOĺMALEĺIDENTITYĺWITHĺONEĺORĺTWOĺ EXCEPTIONS ĺSUCHĺASĺ-ULHOLLANDĺ$R ĺ)NĺTHISĺRESPECT ĺNEO NOIRlSĺUSEĺOFĺCOLOUR ĺAL THOUGHĺBREAKINGĺWITHĺCLASSICĺREALISMĺANDĺ4ECHNICOLORĺAESTHETICS ĺREMAINSĺQUITEĺ CONVENTIONALĺCOLOURĺISĺASSOCIATEDĺWITHĺDANGERĺANDĺTHEĺ/THER ĺASĺSOMETHINGĺTOĺ BEĺFEAREDĺ3INĺ#ITY ĺFORĺEXAMPLE ĺUSESĺCOLOURĺALMOSTĺEXCLUSIVELYĺFORĺWOMEN ĺVIL LAINSĺANDĺBLOODĺ!Sĺ"ATCHELORĺARGUES ĺSUCHĺkCHROMOPHOBIAlĺISĺTYPICALĺOFĺ7ESTERNĺ CULTUREĺCOLOURĺISĺROUTINELYĺREGARDEDĺASĺDANGEROUS ĺTRIVIAL ĺORĺBOTHĺkEITHERĺWAY ĺ COLOURĺISĺaĺOTHERĺTOĺTHEĺHIGHERĺVALUESĺOFĺ7ESTERNĺCULTUREĺ/RĺPERHAPSĺCULTUREĺ ISĺOTHERĺTOĺTHEĺHIGHERĺVALUESĺOFĺCOLOURĺ/RĺCOLOURĺISĺTHEĺCORRUPTIONĺOFĺCULTURElĺ ĺ ĺ.EO NOIRĺCONTINUESĺTHISĺTRADITION ĺASSOCIATINGĺVIVID ĺEXCESSIVEĺANDĺ ARTIüCIALĺCOLOURĺWITHĺDEGENERATION ĺDESTRUCTIONĺANDĺDEATH )Tĺ ISĺ IMPOSSIBLEĺ TOĺ DOĺ JUSTICEĺ TOĺ EVERYĺ RAMIüCATIONĺ OFĺ COLOURĺ WITHINĺ EACHĺ NEO NOIRĺüLM ĺBUTĺ)ĺHAVEĺENDEAVOUREDĺTOĺINDICATEĺSOMEĺOFĺTHEĺCOMMONESTĺPAT TERNSĺWITHINĺ53ĺNEO NOIR ĺATĺLEASTĺ/NEĺPARTICULARĺMOTIFĺAPPEARSĺINĺALMOSTĺEVERYĺ NEO NOIRĺMENTIONEDĺHEREĺATĺSOMEĺPOINT ĺWEĺSEEĺAĺREDĺORĺGREENĺEXITĺSIGN ĺBUTĺ THEĺPROTAGONISTĺFAILSĺTOĺTAKEĺITSĺADVICEĺ&OCUSINGĺONĺSHATTEREDĺUNITYĺANDĺIDENTITYĺ ENABLEDĺANĺEXPLORATIONĺOFĺCOLOURlSĺAFFECTĺONĺTHEĺNEO NOIRĺWORLD ĺBUTĺITĺALSOĺINDI CATESĺTHEĺWAYSĺINĺWHICHĺNEO NOIRĺINVOLVESĺANĺINTENSIüCATIONĺANDĺDEVELOPMENTĺ OFĺCLASSICĺNOIRĺTHEMESĺ.OIRĺCHARACTERSĺREMAINĺTRAPPEDĺINĺPATTERNSĺOFĺBEHAVIOURĺ THATĺAREĺBEYONDĺTHEIRĺCONTROLĺTHEREĺISĺNOĺEXITĺ

NOTES 1ĺĺ -OSTĺOFĺTHEĺOTHERSĺpĺ3ECONDĺ#HANCEĺ ĺ)ĺ$IEDĺAĺ4HOUSANDĺ4IMESĺ ĺ(OUSEĺ

OFĺ"AMBOOĺ ĺ4HEĺ4RAPĺ ĺpĺJUSTIFYĺCOLOURĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺSPECTACLEĺOFĺLOCATIONĺ SHOOTINGĺRESPECTIVELY ĺ-EXICO ĺTHEĺDESERT ĺ*APAN ĺTHEĺDESERTĺAGAINĺ3HOCKĺ#ORRIDORĺ  ĺUSESĺCOLOURĺTOĺSIGNALĺMENTALĺPATIENTSlĺPSYCHOTICĺBREAKS ĺUSINGĺFOOTAGEĺFROMĺ (OUSEĺOFĺ"AMBOOĺANDĺSTOCKĺFOOTAGEĺOFĺTRIBALĺDANCINGĺANDĺWATERFALLS 2ĺĺ )NĺPAINTING ĺTHEĺPRIMARYĺCOLOURSĺAREĺRED ĺBLUEĺANDĺYELLOWĺINĺPHOTOGRAPHY ĺTHEĺPRIMARYĺ

COLOURSĺAREĺRED ĺBLUEĺANDĺGREENĺFORĺADDITIVEĺMETHODS ĺORĺCYAN ĺYELLOWĺANDĺMAGENTAĺ FORĺSUBTRACTIVEĺMETHODS ĺ)NĺANYĺCASE ĺAĺPRIMARYĺCOLOURlSĺCOMPLEMENTARYĺCOLOURĺISĺ CREATEDĺ BYĺ MIXINGĺ THEĺ OTHERĺ TWOĺ PRIMARIESĺ FORĺ EXAMPLE ĺ BLUEĺ PAINTĺ ĺ YELLOWĺ PAINTĺ ĺGREENĺPAINT ĺWHICHĺISĺTHEĺCOMPLEMENTARYĺOFĺREDĺPAINTĺBLUEĺLIGHTĺĺGREENĺLIGHTĺĺ

26

NEO-NOIR

CYANĺLIGHT ĺWHICHĺISĺTHEĺCOMPLEMENTARYĺOFĺREDĺLIGHT ĺ"OTHĺMODELSĺPROVEĺUSEFUL ĺHERE ĺ SINCEĺTHEĺCOMPOSITIONĺOFĺMISE EN SCġNEĺOFTENĺRELIESĺONĺTHEĺVISUALĺCODESĺOFĺPIGMENTĺ COLOURS ĺBUTĺALSOĺINCLUDESĺLIGHTINGĺASĺPARTĺOFĺTHEĺMISE EN SCġNEĺ 3ĺĺ 4HISĺ ESSAYĺ FOCUSESĺ ONĺ 53ĺ CINEMAĺ /THER ĺ CULTURALLY SPECIüC ĺ CONVENTIONSĺ AREĺ POS

SIBLEĺ ASĺ 'INETTEĺ6INCENDEAUĺ ARGUESĺ INĺ THISĺ COLLECTION ĺ THEĺ SUBDUED ĺ NEUTRALĺ COLOURĺ SCHEMESĺOFĺ*EAN 0IERREĺ-ELVILLElSĺPOLICIERSĺINČUENCEDĺ&RENCHĺNEO NOIR 4ĺĺ #OMPARINGĺ#ARAVAGGIOlSĺCAREFULĺGRADATIONSĺOFĺCHIAROSCUROĺTOĺ!NDYĺ7ARHOLlSĺUNIFORM ĺ

DELIMITEDĺCOLOURSĺEFFECTIVELYĺILLUSTRATESĺ"ATCHELORlSĺDISTINCTIONĺ,ETĺMEĺSTRESS ĺ"ATCH ELORlSĺARGUMENTĺISĺABOUTĺTHEĺCONCEPTUALISATIONĺOFĺCOLOURĺ(ISĺUSEĺOFĺTHEĺTERMĺkDIGITALĺ COLOURlĺISĺMETAPHORICALĺRATHERĺTHANĺLITERALĺkDIGITALĺCOLOURlĺDOESĺNOTĺNECESSARILYĺHAVEĺ TOĺBEĺPRODUCEDĺBYĺDIGITALĺTECHNOLOGYĺ(OWEVER ĺDIGITALĺTECHNOLOGYĺDOESĺNECESSARILYĺ PRODUCEĺkDIGITALĺCOLOURlĺTHEĺDIGITALĺIMAGEĺISĺINCAPABLEĺOFĺANALOGUEĺCOLOURĺSINCEĺITĺISĺ BASEDĺONĺPIXELS 5ĺĺ 4HISĺ INTENSIüCATIONĺ OFĺ COLOURĺ CANĺ ALSOĺ BEĺ REPRESENTEDĺ POSITIVELYĺ ASĺ kLIBERATIONĺ FROMĺ

CONSTRAINTlĺ RATHERĺ THANĺ kLOSSĺ OFĺ CONTROLlĺ pĺ ASĺ kBLISS ĺ JOUISSANCE ĺ ECSTASYlĺ "ATCHELORĺ ĺ ĺ4HISĺUSEĺOFĺCOLOURĺISĺRAREĺINĺNEO NOIRĺ7ILDĺATĺ(EARTĺ ĺISĺAĺNOTABLEĺEX CEPTIONĺ,ULAĺ&ORTUNElSĺ,AURAĺ$ERN ĺORGASMSĺAREĺACCOMPANIEDĺBYĺRAINBOWĺHUESĺPARTĺ OFĺTHEĺüLMlSĺ7IZARDĺOFĺ/ZĺMOTIF 

REFERENCES !RNHEIM ĺ2UDOLFĺĺ;= ĺk2EMARKSĺONĺCOLORĺüLMl ĺINĺ!NGELAĺ$ALLEĺ6ACCHEĺANDĺ"RIANĺ 0RICEĺEDS ĺ#OLORĺ4HEĺ&ILMĺ2EADERĺ,ONDONĺ2OUTLEDGE ĺp "ATCHELOR ĺ$AVIDĺ ĺ#HROMOPHOBIAĺ,ONDONĺ2EAKTIONĺ"OOKS "OULD ĺ-ARKĺ ĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺ&ROMĺ"ERLINĺTOĺ3INĺ#ITYĺ,ONDONĺ7ALLČOWERĺ0RESS #HRISTOPHER ĺ.ICHOLASĺ ĺ3OMEWHEREĺINĺTHEĺ.IGHTĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺANDĺTHEĺ!MERICANĺ#ITYĺ .EWĺANDĺ%XPANDEDĺ%DITIONĺ%MERYVILLEĺ3HOEMAKERĺĺ(OARD $ARKE ĺ#HRISĺ ĺk)NSIDEĺTHEĺLIGHTl ĺ3IGHTĺĺ3OUND ĺ!PRIL ĺp +ALMUS ĺ.ATALIEĺ-ĺĺ;= ĺk#OLORĺ#ONSCIOUSNESSl ĺINĺ!NGELAĺ$ALLEĺ6ACCHEĺANDĺ"RIANĺ 0RICEĺEDS ĺ#OLORĺ4HEĺ&ILMĺ2EADERĺ,ONDONĺ2OUTLEDGE ĺp +RISTEVA ĺ *ULIAĺ  ĺ $ESIREĺ INĺ ,ANGUAGEĺ !ĺ 3EMIOTICĺ !PPROACHĺ TOĺ ,ITERATUREĺ ANDĺ !RT ĺ TRANSĺ4HOMASĺ'ORA ĺ!LICEĺ*ARDINEĺANDĺ,EONĺ3ĺ2OUDIEZĺ/XFORDĺ"ASILĺ"LACKWELLĺ .AREMORE ĺ*AMESĺ ĺ-OREĺTHANĺ.IGHTĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺINĺITSĺ#ONTEXTSĺ"ERKELEYĺ5NIVERSITYĺ OFĺ#ALIFORNIAĺ0RESS .EALE ĺ3TEVEĺ ĺ#INEMAĺANDĺ4ECHNOLOGYĺ)MAGE ĺ3OUND ĺ#OLOURĺ,ONDONĺ"RITISHĺ&ILMĺ )NSTITUTE-ACMILLANĺ%DUCATION

COLOUR AND NEO-NOIR

27

2 Audio-Noir: Audiovisuality in Neo-Modernist Noir ROBERT MIKLITSCH

&ILMĺ NOIRĺ FORĺ MOSTĺ PEOPLEĺ ISĺ ASSOCIATEDĺ WITHĺ CERTAINĺ INDELIBLEĺ IMAGESĺ NEONĺ SIGNSĺANDĺNIGHTMAREĺALLEYS ĺRAIN GLISTENINGĺSTREETSĺANDĺ6ENETIAN BLINDĺSHADOWSĺ )TĺISĺALSOĺFREQUENTLYĺASSOCIATEDĺWITHĺCERTAINĺSOUNDSĺWISE GUYĺPATTERĺANDĺEROTICĺ DOUBLEĺTALK ĺMOODYĺVOICE OVERSĺANDĺEVENĺMOODIERĺMUSICĺpĺAĺLONEĺSAXOPHONEĺ SOARINGĺINĺTHEĺNIGHT ĺFORĺEXAMPLE 4HESEĺEVOCATIVEĺSOUNDSĺANDĺIMAGESĺCANĺBEĺSAIDĺTOĺCONSTITUTEĺTHEĺIMAGINARYĺ OFĺTHEĺGENREĺWHICH ĺLIKEĺTHEĺ-ALTESEĺ&ALCON ĺISĺATĺONCEĺREALĺANDĺPHANTASMATICĺ !LTHOUGHĺ CRITICSĺ OFĺ NOIRĺ HAVEĺ ENDLESSLYĺ DEBATEDĺ ITSĺ ORIGINSĺ ANDĺ ESSENCE ĺ ITĺ ISĺ NONETHELESSĺSTRIKING ĺESPECIALLYĺGIVENĺHOWĺMANYĺPEOPLEĺCANĺHUMĺTHEĺTHEMEĺ FROMĺ,AURAĺ ĺHOWĺLITTLEĺATTENTIONĺHASĺBEENĺPAIDĺTOĺTHEĺSONICĺORĺACOUSTICĺ DIMENSIONSĺOFĺTHEĺGENREĺBUTĺSEEĺ"UTLERĺĺANDĺ0ORüRIOĺ ĺ)NĺTHIS ĺTHEĺ SOUNDĺOFĺNOIRĺISĺASĺGENERICĺASĺITSĺLOOK ĺCONJURINGĺUPĺAĺJAZZĺAMBIENCEĺOFĺTHEĺSORTĺ FEATUREDĺINĺ0HANTOMĺ,ADYĺ ĺAĺSOUNDSCAPEĺCOMPOSEDĺLESSĺOFĺJAZZĺPERĺSEĺ THANĺOFĺGIN ĺMARIJUANAĺANDĺCIGARETTEĺSMOKE 7HILEĺVOICE OVERĺNARRATIONĺANDĺTHEĺHARD BOILEDĺLANGUAGEĺOFĺTHEĺGENREĺHAVEĺ BEENĺTHEĺSUBJECTĺOFĺCRITICALĺCOMMENTARY ĺSOUNDĺINĺNOIRĺISĺAĺFUNCTIONĺNOTĺONLYĺOFĺ THESEĺCONVENTIONALĺSEMANTICĺELEMENTSĺBUTĺOFĺSOUNDĺEFFECTS ĺBOTHĺDIEGETICĺANDĺ NON DIEGETICĺMUSIC ĺAND ĺOFĺCOURSE ĺSILENCEĺ!CCORDINGLY ĺINĺWHATĺFOLLOWSĺ)ĺWILLĺ ENDEAVOURĺTOĺTALKĺABOUTĺAĺNUMBERĺOFĺCANONICAL ĺNEO MODERNISTĺüLMSĺFROMĺĺ TOĺĺSEEĺ3PICERĺĺ ĺFROMĺTHISĺINTEGRATEDĺPERSPECTIVEĺASĺWELLĺAS ĺASĺ MUCHĺASĺPOSSIBLE ĺINĺCONJUNCTIONĺWITHĺTHEĺIMAGEĺANDĺNARRATIVEĺTRACKSĺ

New Wave noir: Point Blank )Fĺ 0OINTĺ "LANKĺ  ĺ WHICHĺ APPEAREDĺ ALMOSTĺ Aĺ DECADEĺ AFTERĺ /RSONĺ 7ELLESlĺ 4OUCHĺOFĺ%VILĺ ĺCANĺBEĺINTERPRETEDĺASĺONEĺMANlSĺFANTASYĺOFĺREVENGEĺASĺHEĺ LIESĺDYINGĺALONEĺINĺAĺCELLĺINĺ!LCATRAZ ĺTHEĺIRONYĺISĺTHATĺ*OHNĺ"OORMANlSĺüLMĺpĺTHEĺ

28

NEO-NOIR

Incarceration: Point Blank

küRSTĺTRULYĺPOST NOIRĺNOIRlĺ(IRSCHĺĺ ĺpĺALSOĺARGUABLYĺREPRESENTSĺTHEĺRES URRECTIONĺOFĺNOIRĺASĺAĺGENREĺ4HISĺRENAISSANCEĺISĺREČECTEDĺINĺ*OHNNYĺ-ANDELlSĺ MUSIC ĺ WHICHĺ REČECTSĺ THEĺ INČUENCEĺ OFĺ MODERNĺ SERIALISMĺ ANDĺ ISĺ COMPOSEDĺ INĺ THEĺMINIMALISTĺSTYLEĺOFĺ!LBANĺ"ERG ĺTHEĺMENTORĺOFĺTHEĺARCH MODERNISTĺHIMSELF ĺ 4HEODORĺ!DORNOĺ)NDEED ĺ-ANDELlSĺSCOREĺISĺTHEĺARCHITECTURALĺEQUIVALENTĺOFĺ0OINTĺ "LANKlSĺBOLD ĺ-ONDRIAN LIKEĺCOLOURSĺANDĺMONUMENTALĺMISE EN SCġNE ĺSOĺMUCHĺ SOĺTHATĺTHEĺüLMlSĺMUSICĺBECOMESĺANĺACOUSTICĺPRISONĺINĺWHICHĺ7ALKERĺ,EEĺ-AR VIN ĺIMPLACABLE ĺTRAVERSESĺTHEĺMEANĺSTREETSĺOFĺTHEĺMETROPOLIS "OORMANlSĺRECOURSEĺTOĺEXPRESSIONISTĺSOUNDĺEFFECTS ĺPOPULARĺMUSICĺANDĺPE RIODĺ AUDIOĺ TECHNOLOGIESĺ ALSOĺ DISTINGUISHESĺ HISĺ üLMĺ4HEĺ SOUNDĺ pĺ DESIGNEDĺ BYĺ &RANKĺ!RTENEZ ĺ,ARRYĺ*OSTĺANDĺ&RANKLINĺ-ILTONĺpĺIS ĺüRSTĺOFĺALL ĺAĺVIRTUALĺMONTAGEĺ OFĺSPECIALĺEFFECTS ĺFROMĺTHEĺSOUNDĺOFĺ7ALKERlSĺSTEPSĺRESOUNDINGĺASĺHEĺWALKSĺ DOWNĺWHATĺSEEMSĺLIKEĺTHEĺLONGESTĺAIRPORTĺCORRIDORĺINĺTHEĺWORLDĺTOĺTHEĺWHIRLINGĺ RACKETĺOFĺAĺHELICOPTER ĺTHEĺSONICĺANTIPODEĺOFĺ!LCATRAZĺWHICH ĺ7ALKERlSĺUNRELIABLEĺ NARRATIONĺASIDE ĺISĺESCAPE PROOFĺANDĺSILENTĺASĺAĺMORGUEĺ 4HEĺ POPULARĺ MUSICĺ INĺ 0OINTĺ "LANKĺ ISĺ SHOWCASEDĺ INĺ THEĺ -OVIEĺ (OUSEĺ SE QUENCEĺ )Nĺ THISĺ SEQUENCE ĺ SETĺ INĺ Aĺ DISCOTHġQUE CUM MOVIEĺ PALACEĺ COMPLETEĺ WITHĺ GO GOĺ DANCERS ĺ THEĺ EARLYĺ MONOPHONICĺ SOUNDĺ OFĺ THEĺ "EATLESĺ CIRCAĺ k3HEĺ ,OVESĺ9OUlĺISĺSUBJECTEDĺTOĺTHEĺDISTORTINGĺüLTERĺOFĺTHEĺLATEĺSĺ"ACKEDĺBYĺAĺ TRIOĺPLAYINGĺ!RCHIE "ELL AND THE $RELLS STYLEĺ2" ĺTHEĺ%34 LIKEĺVOCALĺANTICSĺOFĺ3TUĺ 'ARDNERĺ ONĺ k-IGHTYĺ 'OODĺ4IMESlĺ MIMICĺ7ALKERlSĺ MONOSYLLABICĺ DELIVERY ĺ DULLYĺ ANDĺDROLLYĺFOREGROUNDEDĺBYĺTHEĺWAITRESSlSĺüRSTĺQUESTIONĺUPONĺSEEINGĺHIM ĺk9OUĺ STILLĺALIVElĺ4HEĺMULTIMEDIAĺPRESENTATIONĺpĺIMAGESĺOFĺAĺ"OTTICELLIĺ-ADONNAĺALTER NATINGĺWITHĺBLACK AND WHITEĺPHOTOSĺOFĺAĺBLONDEĺMODELĺpĺSIMULATEĺTHEĺBADĺACIDĺ TRIPĺ FROMĺ WHICHĺ7ALKERĺ CANNOT ĺ FORĺ THEĺ LIFEĺ OFĺ HIM ĺ ESCAPEĺ4HEĺ SEQUENCEĺ ASĺ AĺWHOLEĺREACHESĺITSĺSURREAL ĺABSURDISTĺDENOUEMENTĺWHENĺ7ALKERĺTRIESĺTOĺEXITĺ ANDĺISĺSETĺUPONĺBYĺTWOĺOFĺ3TEGMANlSĺ-ICHAELĺ3TRONG ĺTHUGSĺ%ARLIER ĺ"OORMANĺ STAGESĺ ANĺ AUTOMOTIVEĺ SET PIECE ĺ Aĺ DEMOLITION DERBYĺ SYMPHONY ĺ WHENĺ7ALKERĺ REPEATEDLYĺCRASHESĺONEĺOFĺ3TEGMANlSĺUSEDĺCARSĺTOĺGETĺHIMĺTOĺTALK ĺ!Sĺ7ALKERĺ üGHTSĺOFFĺTHEĺMINIONSĺOFĺTHEĺ/RGANISATION ĺTHEĺSOUNDĺOFĺCASCADINGĺMOVIEĺREELSĺ

AUDIOVISUALITY IN NEO-MODERNIST NOIR

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PROVIDESĺAĺSONICĺCOUNTERPUNCHĺTOĺTHEĺVISUALĺMíLÀEĺ!ĺCONCLUDINGĺSHOTĺOFĺTHEĺ MODELlSĺFACE ĺFROZENĺINĺAĺMASKĺASĺINĺ%DVARDĺ-UNCHlSĺ3CREAM ĺECHOESĺTHEĺOPEN INGĺCLOSE UPĺOFĺTHEĺBLACKĺSINGERlSĺMOUTHĺANDĺPRECIPITATESĺTHEĺüNALĺSHOTĺOFĺTHEĺ SEQUENCEĺ7ALKERlSĺFACEĺAWASH ĺASĺIFĺWITHĺBLOOD ĺWITHĺTHEĺMULTICOLOUREDĺLIGHTĺ OFĺTHEĺSLIDEĺPROJECTOR )FĺTHEĺ-OVIEĺ(OUSEĺTOURĺDEĺFORCEĺISĺALLĺABOUTĺNOISE ĺTHEĺEQUALLYĺSTRIKINGĺSE QUENCEĺINĺ"REWSTERlSĺ#ARROLLĺ/l#ONNOR ĺHOUSEĺISĺABOUTĺTHEĺINTERPLAYĺBETWEENĺ NOISEĺ ANDĺ SILENCEĺ !FTERĺ Aĺ ROMANTICĺ RENDEZVOUSĺ ATĺ Aĺ DINERĺ WITHĺ #HRISĺ !NGIEĺ $ICKINSON ĺ7ALKERĺHASĺBROUGHTĺHER ĺHERĺROMANTICĺILLUSIONSĺMOMENTARILYĺINTACT ĺ TOĺAĺHOUSEĺWHEREĺ"REWSTERĺHOLDSĺMEETINGSĺFORĺTHEĺ/RGANISATIONĺ!FTERĺ#HRIS ĺ FRUSTRATEDĺBYĺ7ALKERlSĺALTERNATELYĺPASSIVEĺANDĺAGGRESSIVEĺBEHAVIOUR ĺPHYSICALLYĺ ATTACKSĺHIM ĺHEĺMECHANICALLYĺWALKSĺOVERĺTOĺAĺCOUCH ĺSITSĺDOWNĺANDĺUSESĺTHEĺ REMOTEĺCONTROLĺpĺNEW FANGLEDĺTECHNOLOGYĺFORĺITSĺTIMEĺpĺTOĺTURNĺONĺTHEĺ46 ĺSWITCH INGĺCHANNELSĺUNTILĺHEĺPAUSESĺONĺAĺBLACK AND WHITEĺCOMMERCIALĺINĺWHICHĺAĺMODELĺ BLANKLYĺINTONES ĺk!LLĺ)ĺDIDĺWASĺCREAMĺTWICEĺEVERYĺNIGHTĺWITHĺ0ONDlSĺCOLDĺCREAMlĺ 7ALKER ĺHOWEVER ĺDOESĺNOTĺAPPEARĺTOĺBEĺINTERESTEDĺINĺANYTHINGĺBUTĺTHEĺ ĺ THEĺ/RGANISATIONĺOWESĺHIMĺ3UDDENLY ĺTHEĺHOUSE ĺIFĺNOTĺ7ALKER ĺCOMESĺALIVEĺAS ĺ OFFSCREEN ĺ#HRISĺHASĺTURNEDĺONĺEVERYĺGADGETĺONĺTHEĺPREMISES ĺRETALIATINGĺTHISĺ TIMEĺWITHĺLIGHTĺANDĺSOUNDĺpĺWITH ĺASĺITĺWERE ĺTECHNOLOGYĺITSELF 7ALKER ĺWHOĺINĺHISĺOWNĺWAYĺISĺASĺHARD WIREDĺASĺTHEĺ4ERMINATORĺSEEĺ(IRSCHĺ ĺ ĺPROCEEDSĺTOĺWALKĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺHOUSE ĺMETHODICALLYĺTURNINGĺOFFĺLIGHTSĺ ANDĺAPPLIANCESĺpĺTOASTER ĺBLENDER ĺELECTRICĺMIXERĺpĺUNTILĺHEĺDISCOVERSĺ#HRIS ĺDRINKĺ INĺHAND ĺDANCINGĺTOĺBIG BANDĺMUSICĺINĺTHEĺBILLIARDSĺROOMĺ!LTHOUGHĺ7ALKERĺüNALLYĺ TRACKSĺDOWNĺTHEĺSTRANGELYĺUP TEMPOĺMUSICĺTOĺAĺREEL TO REELĺPLAYERĺINĺANOTHERĺ ROOMĺANDĺPROMPTLYĺTURNSĺITĺOFF ĺTHEĺSILENCEĺISĺBROKENĺBYĺ#HRISlSĺMOCKINGĺVOICEĺONĺ THEĺINTERCOM ĺk9OUlREĺAĺPATHETICĺSIGHT ĺ7ALKER ĺFROMĺWHEREĺ)lMĺSTANDINGĺaĺ7HYĺ DONlTĺYOUĺJUSTĺLIEĺDOWNĺANDĺDIElĺ4HEĺCLIMAXĺOCCURSĺWHENĺ7ALKERĺRETURNSĺTOĺTHEĺ BILLIARDSĺROOMĺANDĺ#HRISĺKNOCKSĺHIMĺOVERĺTHEĺHEADĺWITHĺAĺPOOLĺCUEĺ4HISĺMOMENTĺ pĺTHEĺMOMENTĺTHATĺ7ALKERĺüNALLYĺFALLS ĺLITERALLYĺASĺWELLĺASĺüGURATIVELY ĺCATCHINGĺ #HRISlSĺANKLEĺASĺHEĺGOESĺpĺISĺTHEĺCUEĺFORĺONEĺOFĺTHEĺMOSTĺLYRICALĺPASSAGESĺINĺ -ANDELlSĺSCOREĺ4HEĺENSUINGĺMONTAGE ĺINĺWHICHĺ7ALKERĺISĺONĺTOPĺOFĺ#HRISĺWHOĺ METAMORPHOSESĺINTOĺ,YNNEĺ3HARONĺ!CKER ĺWHOĺCHANGESĺINTOĺ2EESEĺ*OHNĺ6ER NON ĺWHOĺINĺTURNĺCHANGESĺBACKĺINTOĺ#HRIS ĺRESUMESĺTHEĺüLMlSĺPERVASIVEĺSENSEĺ OFĺDÀJ÷ĺVU ĺASĺIFĺ7ALKERĺISĺMOURNINGĺHISĺLIFEĺEVENĺASĺHEĺISĺLIVINGĺIT )Nĺ THISĺ EXTRAORDINARYĺ SOUNDIMAGEĺ MONTAGE ĺ THEĺ DREAM LIKEĺ SEQUENCINGĺ OFĺ THEĺ IMAGES ĺ THEĺ KALEIDOSCOPICĺ QUALITYĺ OFĺ WHICHĺ ISĺ HEIGHTENEDĺ BYĺ THEĺ NON DIEGETICĺ STATUSĺ OFĺ THEĺ SCORE ĺ SUGGESTSĺ THATĺ7ALKERlSĺ FANTASYĺ ISĺ SOMETHINGĺ OFĺ AĺNIGHTMARE ĺNOTĺLEASTĺASĺHISĺDOWNFALLĺCANĺBEĺATTRIBUTEDĺTOĺTHEĺEXACTĺMOMENTĺ WHENĺ2EESEĺüRSTĺKNOCKEDĺHIMĺDOWNĺATĺAĺPARTYĺAND ĺMOUNTINGĺHIM ĺSCREAMED ĺ k4RUSTĺMElĺ!PPROPRIATELY ĺTHEĺSEQUENCEĺENDSĺONĺANĺAUDIO PUNCTUATEDĺČASHBACKĺ THATĺJOLTSĺUSĺBACKĺTOĺTHEĺVERYĺBEGINNINGĺOFĺTHEĺüLMĺTHEĺSOUNDĺOFĺAĺGUNSHOTĺpĺTHEĺ SOUND ĺTHATĺIS ĺOFĺ7ALKERĺBEINGĺSHOTĺATĺPOINT BLANKĺRANGEĺINĺAĺCELLĺINĺ!LCATRAZ

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‘Hooray for Hollywood’: The Long Goodbye 7HILEĺITĺANTICIPATESĺEARLYĺSĺkROGUEĺCOPlĺANDĺRIGHT WINGĺVIGILANTEĺüLMSĺSUCHĺ ASĺ$IRTYĺ(ARRYĺ ĺ4HEĺ&RENCHĺ#ONNECTIONĺ ĺANDĺ$EATHĺ7ISHĺ ĺASĺ WELLĺ ASĺ LATER ĺ PARANOID CONSPIRACYĺ üLMSĺ SUCHĺ ASĺ 4HEĺ 0ARALLAXĺ6IEWĺ  ĺ ANDĺ 4HREEĺ$AYSĺOFĺTHEĺ#ONDORĺ ĺ0OINTĺ"LANK ĺPERHAPSĺBECAUSEĺOFĺITSĺNEW WAVEĺ PROVENANCE ĺISĺSOMETHINGĺOFĺANĺANOMALYĺINĺSĺNOIRĺ)NĺFACT ĺINĺTHEIRĺCHRONOL OGYĺOFĺTHEĺPERIOD ĺ!LAINĺ3ILVERĺANDĺ%IZABETHĺ7ARDĺLISTĺ(ARPERĺ ĺASĺTHEĺüRSTĺ NEO NOIRĺ SEEĺ ĺ  ĺ (OWEVER ĺ THEĺ üLMĺ THATĺ MOSTĺ RADICALLYĺ DECONSTRUCTSĺ THEĺINVESTIGATIVEĺNARRATIVEĺTHATĺSUBTENDSĺTHEĺGENREĺISĺNEITHERĺ#HANDLERĺ ĺ NORĺEVENĺ-EANĺ3TREETSĺ ĺpĺAĺ-ARTINĺ3CORSESEĺFEATURE ĺPARTĺNEO NOIR ĺPARTĺ NEO GANGSTER ĺTHATĺTAKESĺITSĺTITLEĺFROMĺ2AYMONDĺ#HANDLERlSĺCELEBRATEDĺESSAYĺpĺ BUTĺ4HEĺ,ONGĺ'OODBYEĺ ĺ2OBERTĺ!LTMANlSĺüLMĺNOTĺONLYĺDECONSTRUCTSĺTHEĺ MYTHĺOFĺ-ARLOWE ĺTURNINGĺHIMĺINTOĺAĺKINDĺOFĺk2IPĺVANĺ-ARLOWEl ĺBUTĺREINVENTSĺTHEĺ AUDIOVISUALĺLANGUAGEĺOFĺCLASSICĺNOIR )Nĺ 4HEĺ ,ONGĺ 'OODBYE ĺ THEĺ CAMERAĺ pĺ PANNING ĺ TRACKING ĺ ZOOMING ĺ CEASE LESSLYĺMOVINGĺpĺISĺALWAYS ĺTOĺPARAPHRASEĺTHEĺDIRECTOR ĺINĺTHEĺWRONGĺPLACEĺ4HEĺ RESULT ĺ COMBINEDĺ WITHĺ Aĺ MISE EN SCġNEĺ COMPOSEDĺ OFĺ MIRRORS ĺ WINDOWSĺ ANDĺ GLASSĺDOORS ĺISĺAĺPROFUSIONĺOFĺFOCALĺPOINTSĺTHAT ĺASĺINĺCUBISM ĺPULVERISESĺCLASSICALĺ CINEMATICĺSPACEĺ%QUALLYĺIMPORTANTLY ĺ4HEĺ,ONGĺ'OODBYEĺHASĺAĺNEWĺSOUNDTRACKĺ pĺDENSE ĺMULTILAYEREDĺpĺkTOĺMATCHĺITSĺNEWĺLOOKĺFORĺNOIRlĺ(IRSCHĺĺ ĺ4HEĺ MOSTĺCONSPICUOUSĺASPECTĺHEREĺISĺ!LTMANlSĺANTI THEATRICALĺBIASĺAGAINSTĺLOOPINGĺ ANDĺPOST SYNCHRONISATIONĺ4HEĺDIRECTORlSĺCORRESPONDINGĺPREFERENCEĺFORĺMULTIPLEĺ MIKINGĺANDĺkLIVEĺSOUNDl ĺFACILITATEDĺBYĺTECHNOLOGICALĺDEVELOPMENTSĺSUCHĺASĺTHEĺ LAVILIERĺMICROPHONEĺSEEĺ"ECKĺĺ ĺČIESĺINĺTHEĺFACEĺOFĺTRADITIONALĺ(OLLY WOODĺPRACTICEĺANDĺITSĺPENCHANTĺFORĺCLARITY ĺACCURACYĺAND ĺINĺTHEĺLASTĺECONOMICĺ INSTANCE ĺINTELLIGIBILITYĺITĺALSOĺARGUABLYĺSUBVERTSĺTHEĺIMPLICITĺVALORISATIONĺOFĺLAN GUAGEĺTHATĺDERIVES ĺHOWEVERĺRESIDUALLY ĺFROMĺ#HANDLERlSĺTEXTĺ 4HEĺOTHERĺCONSPICUOUSĺASPECTĺOFĺTHEĺSOUNDTRACKĺINĺ!LTMANlSĺüLMĺISĺTHEĺUSEĺ OFĺ *OHNĺ7ILLIAMSĺ ANDĺ *OHNNYĺ -ERCERlSĺ k4HEĺ ,ONGĺ 'OODBYElĺ !LTMANĺ SAWĺ THEĺ SONGĺ ASĺ Aĺ kCHARACTERĺ INĺ ITSELFlĺ ĺ  ĺ ANDĺ APPEARINGĺ ASĺ ITĺ DOESĺ THROUGHOUTĺ THEĺüLM ĺCHANGINGĺINĺVOLUMEĺACCORDINGĺTOĺCONTEXT ĺITĺBECOMESĺSOMETHINGĺOFĺAĺ HERMENEUTICĺCODEĺINĺITSĺOWNĺRIGHTĺk4HERElSĺAĺLONGĺGOODBYE#ANĺYOUĺRECOGNISEĺ THEĺTHEMElĺ7HETHERĺASĺAĺSONGĺONĺ-ARLOWElSĺ%LLIOTTĺ'OULD ĺCARĺRADIOĺORĺMUZAKĺ INĺTHEĺSUPERMARKETĺTHATĺHEĺGOESĺTOĺFORĺ#URRYĺ"RANDĺ#ATĺ&OOD ĺAĺTUNEĺTHATĺAĺPIANO PLAYERĺISĺWORKINGĺONĺFORĺTHEĺLOUNGE TIMEĺBARĺCROWDĺORĺASĺTHEĺCHIMEĺOFĺTHEĺ7ADESlĺ DOORBELL ĺ ITĺ ISĺ SIMULTANEOUSLYĺ INDIGENOUSĺ ANDĺ OBTRUSIVEĺ OR ĺ LIKEĺ THEĺ MANĺ BAND AGEDĺHEADĺTOĺFOOTĺINĺTHEĺHOSPITALĺBEDĺNEXTĺTOĺ-ARLOWE ĺVISIBLEĺANDĺINVISIBLE )Nĺ FACT ĺ THEĺ REFERENTIALĺ PLAYĺ OFĺ THEĺ HOSPITALĺ SCENEĺ -ARLOWEĺ TOĺ kMUMMYl ĺ k)ĺSEENĺALLĺYOURĺPICTURESĺTOOl ĺPARTAKESĺOFĺTHEĺüLMlSĺGENERAL ĺPARODICĺMODEĺOFĺ INTERTEXTUALITYĺILLUSTRATEDĺBYĺTHEĺ-ALIBUĺ#OLONYĺGATEKEEPERlSĺCHEESYĺIMITATIONSĺ

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OFĺMOVIEĺSTARS ĺINCLUDINGĺ"ARBARAĺ3TANWYCKĺINĺ$OUBLEĺ)NDEMNITYĺ ĺ'IVENĺ THATĺITĺSIMULTANEOUSLYĺINVOKESĺANDĺSATIRISESĺCLASSICALĺ(OLLYWOODĺüLMĺMUSIC ĺITĺISĺ NOĺSURPRISEĺTHATĺ4HEĺ,ONGĺ'OODBYEĺALSOĺREMEMBERSĺTHEĺORIGINSĺOFĺSOUNDĺüLMĺ ITSELFĺ3OĺINĺTHEĺSEQUENCEĺSETĺINĺTHEĺSINCE DEMOLISHEDĺ,OSĺ!NGELESĺ#ITYĺ*AILĺINĺ ,INCOLNĺ(EIGHTS ĺ-ARLOWE ĺRESPONDINGĺTOĺTHEĺINTERROGATINGĺPOLICEĺOFüCERSĺWHOĺ AREĺALSOĺWATCHINGĺTHROUGHĺAĺTWO WAYĺMIRROR ĺUSESĺTHEĺINKĺFROMĺHISĺüNGERPRINTINGĺ TOĺBLACKENĺHISĺFACE ĺTHEN ĺAFTERĺTALKINGĺABOUTĺAĺkBANJOlĺANDĺČASHINGĺSOMEĺkJAZZĺ HANDSl ĺBREAKSĺINTOĺAĺCHORUSĺOFĺk3EWANEElĺ4HISĺSCENE ĺLIKEĺTHEĺSCORE ĺOPERATESĺ ONĺATĺLEASTĺTWOĺLEVELSĺATĺONCEĺ$IEGETICALLY ĺITĺISĺ-ARLOWElSĺWAYĺOFĺLETTINGĺTHEĺPO LICEĺKNOWĺTHATĺHEĺKNOWSĺTHATĺTHEIRĺQUESTIONSĺAREĺSTALEĺASĺAĺkVAUDEVILLEĺROUTINElĺ +EYSAARĺĺ ĺ&ROMĺAĺNON DIEGETICĺPOINTĺOFĺVIEW ĺ-ARLOWElSĺMINSTRELĺACTĺ ITALICISESĺTHEĺPERFORMATIVEĺELEMENTSĺOFĺHISĺCHARACTERĺ'OULDĺMAYĺBEĺ*EWISHĺLIKEĺ !Lĺ*OLSON ĺBUTĺINĺSĺ!MERICA ĺHEĺCANNOTĺPASSĺASĺAĺBLACKĺJAZZĺSINGERĺANYĺMOREĺ THANĺ !LTMANlSĺ -ARLOWE ĺ NOTWITHSTANDINGĺ THEĺ FACTĺ THATĺ HEĺ SMOKESĺ UNüLTEREDĺ CIGARETTES ĺDRIVESĺAĺĺVINTAGEĺ,INCOLNĺ#ONTINENTAL ĺANDĺWEARSĺTHEĺSAMEĺRATTYĺ COATĺDAYĺINĺANDĺDAYĺOUT ĺCANĺBEĺSEAMLESSLYĺPOST SYNCHRONISEDĺWITHĺ#HANDLERlSĺ (EĺIS ĺINĺFACT ĺASĺOUT OF SYNCĺASĺHISĺRENDITIONS ĺWHETHERĺHUMMED ĺSUNGĺORĺWHIS TLED ĺOFĺTHEĺUBIQUITOUSĺTHEMEĺSONGĺSEEĺ2OSENBAUMĺĺ  )NĺTHEĺCONCLUSIONĺTOĺ4HEĺ,ONGĺ'OODBYE ĺINĺAĺSUBVERSIVEĺDEPARTUREĺFROMĺTHEĺ ORIGINALĺNOVEL ĺ-ARLOWEĺBLOWSĺAWAYĺHISĺEX BUDDYĺ,ENNOXĺ*IMĺ"OUTON ĺ#UTĺTOĺ AĺTREE LINEDĺROADĺINĺ-EXICOĺTHATĺCOULDĺHAVEĺBEENĺkMADEĺINĺAĺ(OLLYWOODĺMOVIElĺ !LTMANĺĺ ĺDOWNĺWHICHĺ-ARLOWE ĺHISĺMEANNESSĺSPENT ĺSAUNTERS ĺPASS INGĺ %ILEENĺ7ADEĺ .INAĺ VANĺ 0ALLANDT ĺ DRIVINGĺ BYĺ INĺ Aĺ YELLOWĺ JEEPĺ ONĺ HERĺ WAYĺ pĺ SHADESĺ OFĺ 4HEĺ4HIRDĺ -ANĺ  ĺ pĺ TOĺ Aĺ ROMANTICĺ RENDEZVOUSĺ WITHĺ Aĺ CORPSEĺ 7ADEĺSTOPS ĺBUTĺ-ARLOWEĺDOESĺNOTĺEVENĺBOTHERĺTOĺTURNĺHISĺHEADĺINSTEAD ĺHEĺ TAKESĺ THEĺ HARMONICAĺ THEĺ kMUMMYlĺ GAVEĺ HIMĺ kTHEĺ SMALLESTĺ ONEĺ ;HElS=ĺ SEENl ĺ ANDĺ STARTSĺ PLAYINGĺ!LTHOUGHĺ -ARLOWEĺ EARLIERĺ TOLDĺ THEĺ kMUMMYlĺ HEĺ HASĺ Aĺ kTINĺ EARl ĺTHEĺSPRIGHTLYĺTUNEĺSUGGESTSĺTHATĺHEĺHASĺPRACTISEDĺINĺTHEĺMEANTIMEĺ4HENĺ HEĺGRABSĺANĺOLDĺWOMANĺANDĺDOESĺAĺQUICKĺJIGĺWITHĺHERĺASĺ*OHNNYĺ-ERCERĺANDĺ 2ICHARDĺ!ĺ7HITINGlSĺk(OORAYĺFORĺ(OLLYWOODlĺBLARESĺONĺTHEĺSOUNDTRACK 5NLIKEĺTHEĺEARLIERĺREFERENCEĺTOĺ!ĺ3TARĺ)Sĺ"ORNĺ ĺWHENĺ2OGERĺ7ADEĺ3TER LINGĺ(AYDEN ĺCOMMITSĺSUICIDEĺBYĺWADINGĺINTOĺTHEĺROARINGĺSURFĺOUTSIDEĺHISĺ-ALIBUĺ HOMEĺATĺNIGHT ĺ!LTMANlSĺUSEĺOFĺk(OORAYĺFORĺ(OLLYWOODlĺATĺTHEĺVERYĺENDĺOFĺ4HEĺ,ONGĺ 'OODBYEĺMOMENTARILYĺBREAKSĺTHEĺüLMlSĺDRAMATICĺSPELLĺSIGNIüEDĺONĺTHEĺSOUNDTRACKĺ BYĺTHEĺüNALĺAPPEARANCEĺOFĺ*OHNĺ7ILLIAMSlĺTHEMEĺSPARSELYĺANDĺSOMBRELYĺSCOREDĺTOĺ DRUMS ĺSTRINGSĺANDĺACOUSTICĺGUITARĺ!NTICIPATINGĺHISĺOWNĺkANTI MUSICALlĺ.ASHVILLEĺ  ĺTHEĺCONCLUDINGĺALLUSIONĺTOĺ(OLLYWOODĺ(OTELĺ ĺ"USBYĺ"ERKELEYlSĺLASTĺ FEATUREĺFORĺ7ARNERĺ"ROS ĺALSOĺDENOTESĺTHEĺTEXTlSĺSTATUSĺASĺAĺNOIRĺMUSICAL ĺAĺüLMĺ WHOSEĺNOIRĺMOTIFSĺpĺBLOODĺMONEY ĺSEXUALĺBETRAYAL ĺMURDERĺINĺTHEĺüRSTĺDEGREEĺpĺ AREĺREČEXIVELYĺSUBLIMATEDĺINĺAĺMUSICALĺDEUSĺEXĺMACHINAĺTHATĺSAYSĺk/NLYĺINĺTHEĺ MOVIESlĺ/R ĺBETTERĺYET ĺTOĺCITEĺTHEĺCLOSINGĺNUMBERĺFROMĺONEĺOFĺTHEĺPARADIGMATICĺ !MERICANĺMUSICALS ĺ4HEĺ"ANDĺ7AGONĺ ĺk4HATlSĺENTERTAINMENT
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Private ear: Chinatown #HINATOWNĺ ĺIS ĺTOĺUNDERSTATEĺTHEĺMATTER ĺAĺVERYĺDIFFERENTĺSORTĺOFĺüLMĺNOIRĺ THANĺ4HEĺ,ONGĺ'OODBYEĺ2OBERTĺ4OWNEĺHADĺTHEĺkPROTOTYPElĺOFĺ0HILIPĺ-ARLOWE ĺ #HANDLERlSĺkTARNISHEDĺKNIGHTl ĺSQUARELYĺINĺMINDĺWHENĺHEĺWROTEĺTHEĺSCRIPTĺANDĺ 2OMANĺ 0OLANSKI ĺ THEĺ DIRECTOR ĺ HASĺ TALKEDĺ ABOUTĺ THEĺ üLMlSĺ PROTAGONIST ĺ *AKEĺ 'ITTESĺ*ACKĺ.ICHOLSON ĺASĺAĺkPRIVATEĺEYEĺINĺ-ARLOWElSĺSTYLElĺ  4HEĺDIRECTORlSĺkRADICALLYĺSUBJECTIVElĺVISIONĺOFĺ'ITTESĺALSOĺNECESSITATEDĺTHAT ĺ ASĺINĺ#HANDLER ĺEVERYTHINGĺSHOULDĺBEĺkSEENĺORĺHEARDlĺFROMĺTHEĺCHARACTERlSĺPOINTĺ OFĺVIEWĺOR ĺIFĺYOUĺWILL ĺPOINTĺOFĺAUDITIONĺ ĺ%ARSĺINĺTHISĺCONTEXTĺTAKEĺONĺPAR TICULARĺ SIGNIüCANCEĺ #ONSIDER ĺ FORĺ EXAMPLE ĺ THEĺ MEMORABLEĺ SCENEĺ WHEREĺ THEĺ kMIDGETlĺPLAYEDĺBYĺ0OLANSKIĺSLASHESĺ'ITTESlĺNOSEĺ!LTHOUGHĺTHEĺkMANĺWITHĺKNIFEl ĺ ANĺALLUSIONĺTOĺTHEĺDIRECTORĺASĺkCUTTERl ĺWASĺORIGINALLYĺSUPPOSEDĺTOĺSLITĺ'ITTESlĺEAR ĺ NOĺONEĺTODAY ĺESPECIALLYĺGIVENĺTHEĺASSOCIATIONĺOFĺPRIVATEĺEYESĺWITHĺNOSINESS ĺ WOULDĺGAINSAYĺTHEĺDECISIONĺTOĺHAVEĺk0OLANSKIlĺCUTĺ'ITTESlĺNOSEĺ3TILL ĺASĺ4OWNElSĺ INITIALĺ INTENTIONĺ WASĺ NOĺ DOUBTĺ MEANTĺ TOĺ SUGGEST ĺ TOĺ BEĺ Aĺ PRIVATEĺ EYEĺ ISĺ ALSO ĺ INĺSOMEĺSENSE ĺTOĺBEĺAĺPRIVATEĺEARĺ4HUS ĺ*AKElSĺEARSĺPRICKĺUPĺWHENĺHEĺHEARSĺ CERTAINĺ kENIGMATIClĺ SOUNDSĺ Aĺ SERVANTĺ WIPINGĺ DOWNĺ THEĺ -ULWRAYSlĺ CARĺ WITHĺ Aĺ CHAMOISĺCLOTH ĺ(OLLISĺ-ULWRAYlSĺ$ARRELĺ:WERLING ĺNAMEĺBEINGĺSCRATCHEDĺOFFĺHISĺ OFüCEĺDOOR )Nĺ FACT ĺ THEĺ SOUNDĺ OFĺ #HINATOWN ĺ MIXEDĺ BYĺ ,ARRYĺ *OST ĺ EDITEDĺ BYĺ 2OBERTĺ #ORNETTĺANDĺRE RECORDEDĺBYĺ"UDĺ'RENZBACH ĺISĺASĺELABORATEĺASĺITSĺPERIOD PERFECTĺ !RTĺ$ECOĺDESIGN ĺPRODUCINGĺAĺVERITABLEĺTAPESTRYĺOFĺCOLOURFULĺSOUNDĺEFFECTSĺpĺINĺ PARTICULAR ĺTHOSEĺHAVINGĺTOĺDOĺWITHĺWATER ĺGUNSHOTSĺANDĺCARĺHORNSĺpĺTHATĺEMBEL LISHĺTHEĺDEEPLYĺENTANGLEDĺTHEMESĺOFĺSEXUALITYĺANDĺPOLITICALĺECONOMYĺ7HETHERĺ ITĺISĺTHEĺWAVES ĺACCENTEDĺBYĺGULLĺCRIES ĺCRASHINGĺATĺ-ULWRAYlSĺFEETĺASĺHEĺSTANDSĺ CONTEMPLATINGĺTHEĺNATUREĺOFĺTHINGSĺATĺ0OINTĺ&ERMINĺ0ARKĺORĺTHEĺTAPĺDRIPPINGĺLIKEĺ AĺMETRONOMEĺINĺ)DAĺ3ESSIONSlĺ$IANEĺ,ADD ĺHOUSE ĺTHEĺSOUNDĺOFĺWATERĺINSINU ATESĺTHATĺINĺTHEĺOFTENĺMORALLYĺARIDĺWORLDĺOFĺ#HINATOWN ĺWATERĺISĺONE ĺIFĺELUSIVE ĺ PIECEĺOFĺTHEĺPUZZLE 3IMILARLY ĺTHEĺSOUNDĺOFĺGUNSHOTS ĺWHICHĺPERIODICALLYĺPUNCTUATEĺTHEĺSOUND TRACKĺFROMĺTHEĺWARNINGĺSHOTSĺüREDĺATĺ*AKEĺATĺTHEĺ/AKĺ0ASSĺ2ESERVOIRĺTOĺTHOSEĺ üREDĺ ATĺ %VELYNĺ &AYEĺ $UNAWAY ĺ ANDĺ HIMĺ ASĺ THEYĺ ESCAPEĺ INĺ HERĺ CARĺ FROMĺ THEĺ -ARĺ6ISTAĺ2ESTĺ(OME ĺINTIMATEĺTHATĺVIOLENCEĺCANĺMATERIALISEĺANYWHERE ĺEVENĺINĺ THEĺOTHERWISEĺPROTOTYPICALLYĺSUNNYĺORANGEĺGROVESĺOFĺTHEĺ3ANĺ&ERNANDOĺVALLEYĺ WHERE ĺHEMMEDĺINĺBYĺIRATEĺFARMERS ĺ*AKEĺISĺMETĺWITHĺAĺSHOTGUNĺBLASTĺ&INALLY ĺ AMONGĺTHEĺWELTERĺOFĺACOUSTICĺEFFECTSĺINĺ#HINATOWNĺpĺTHEĺ!LBACOREĺČAGĺSNAPPINGĺ INĺTHEĺOCEANĺWIND ĺTHEĺINCESSANTĺCHORUSĺOFĺCICADASĺOUTSIDEĺ%VELYNlSĺ!LAMEDAĺ BUNGALOW ĺTHEĺWHIRRINGĺFANĺANDĺCLACKINGĺTYPEWRITERĺINĺTHEĺBACKGROUNDĺOFĺ*AKElSĺ OFüCEĺpĺTHEREĺISĺTHEĺSOUNDĺOFĺCARĺHORNS ĺAĺSOUNDĺTHATĺINĺEVERYDAYĺLIFE ĺATĺLEASTĺINĺ AĺCITYĺASĺCAR CRAZYĺASĺ,OSĺ!NGELESĺINĺTHEĺS ĺISĺASĺCOMMONĺASĺAĺPALMĺTREE

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5PONĺüRSTĺSEEINGĺ#HINATOWN ĺAĺCASUALĺkVIEWERlĺMIGHTĺNOTĺMAKEĺMUCHĺOFĺTHEĺ MOMENTĺWHENĺ*AKEĺISĺINTERROGATINGĺ%VELYNĺINĺHERĺPARKEDĺCARĺAND ĺMOMENTARILYĺ DISTRAUGHT ĺSHEĺLETSĺHERĺHEADĺFALLĺAGAINSTĺTHEĺSTEERINGĺWHEEL ĺACCIDENTALLYĺSET TINGĺ OFFĺ THEĺ HORNĺ #ERTAINLY ĺ THEĺ RANDOMĺ SOUNDĺ OFĺ CARĺ HORNSĺ ATĺ THEĺ BEGINNINGĺ OFĺ THEĺ CONCLUDINGĺ SEQUENCEĺ SETĺ ONĺ .ORTHĺ "ROADWAYĺ INĺ #HINATOWNĺ ARE ĺ EVENĺ FORĺTHEĺEXPERIENCEDĺAUDIO SPECTATOR ĺRELATIVELYĺINAUDIBLE ĺAPPEARINGĺASĺSOĺMUCHĺ URBANĺAMBIENTĺkCOLOURlĺ(OWEVER ĺCOUPLEDĺWITHĺTHEĺSHOTSĺüREDĺBYĺ,OACHĺ$ICKĺ "AKALYAN ĺANDĺTHEĺBLOOD CURDLINGĺSCREAMĺMADEĺBYĺ%VELYNlSĺSISTERĺANDĺDAUGHTER ĺ +ATHERINEĺ"ELINDAĺ0ALMER ĺTHESEĺHORNSĺPREüGUREĺTHEĺHORRIFYINGĺMOMENTĺWHENĺ WEĺ REALISEĺ pĺ LIKEĺ *AKE ĺ FROMĺ ANĺ EXCRUCIATINGĺ DISTANCEĺ pĺ THATĺ %VELYNĺ HASĺ BEENĺ FATALLYĺWOUNDEDĺ7HATĺWEĺDOĺNOTĺKNOWĺBECAUSEĺOURĺEARSĺCANNOTĺTELLĺUSĺISĺTHATĺ SHEĺHASĺBEENĺSHOT ĺTRUEĺTOĺTHEĺüLMlSĺ/EDIPALĺLOGIC ĺRIGHTĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺEYEĺpĺANĺ IMAGEĺTHATĺCOMBINESĺWITHĺ.OAHĺ#ROSSlSĺ*OHNĺ(USTON ĺBLINDINGĺOFĺ+ATHERINElSĺ VISIONĺTOĺMOCKĺTHEĺVERYĺIDEAĺOFĺJUSTICE 'IVENĺTHEĺüLMlSĺCONTINUALĺMETATEXTUALĺPLAYĺONĺTHEĺCAMERAĺEYEĺSEE ĺFORĺEX AMPLE ĺ*AKElSĺOWNĺINVESTIGATIVEĺRECOURSEĺTOĺCAMERAĺANDĺBINOCULARS ĺTHEĺSCOREĺ MIGHTĺ APPEARĺ TOĺ FUNCTIONĺ ASĺ Aĺ MEREĺ SUPPLEMENTĺ TOĺ 0OLANSKIlSĺ VISIONĺ "UTĺ ASĺ -ICHAELĺ%ATONĺNOTES ĺBEFOREĺANYĺIMAGEĺTHEREĺISĺTHEĺSOUNDĺOFĺAĺkSOLOĺTRUMPETĺ PLAYEDĺAGAINSTĺSTRINGSl ĺFOLLOWEDĺBYĺAĺkSEPIA TINTEDĺMONOCHROMATIClĺ0ARAMOUNTĺ LOGOĺ THATĺ kEVOKESĺ EARLYĺ SOUNDĺ CINEMAlĺ ĺ p ĺ $ESPITEĺ THEĺ LATTERĺ RETROĺ ČOURISH ĺ*ERRYĺ'OLDSMITHlSĺSCOREĺISĺSUCCESSFULĺBECAUSEĺITĺkAVOIDSĺALLĺTHEĺPITFALLSĺ OFĺAĺRETROSPECTIVEĺSOUNDTRACKlĺ%ATONĺĺ ĺ)NĺOTHERĺWORDS ĺITĺWORKSĺPRE CISELYĺBECAUSEĺITĺWORKSĺAGAINSTĺITSELF ĺPLAYINGĺAĺCERTAINĺAVANT GRADEĺDISSONANCEĺ OFFĺITSĺMOREĺCONVENTIONALĺMELODICĺANDĺHARMONICĺPASSAGES 4HEĺSCOREĺINĺFACTĺCALLEDĺFORĺANĺkUNUSUALĺCOMBINATIONĺOFĺINSTRUMENTSlĺpĺHARP ĺ STRINGS ĺ TRUMPET ĺ PERCUSSION ĺ PREPAREDĺ PIANOĺ pĺ ANDĺ THEĺ AFOREMENTIONEDĺ MO MENTĺWHENĺTHEĺTRUMPETĺENTERSĺALSOĺEFFECTSĺANĺELEGANTĺSEGUEĺFROMĺkAVANT GARDEĺ COLOURlĺTOĺS ĺBLUES BASEDĺkJAZZĺHARMONIESlĺ(ICKMANĺĺ ĺ!SĺFORĺLEIT MOTIFS ĺITĺISĺNOTĺTOOĺREDUCTIVEĺTOĺSAYĺTHATĺIFĺ%VELYNĺFROMĺTHEĺVERYĺüRST ĺkPHOTO GRAPHIClĺSHOTĺOFĺHERĺINĺ(OLLISlSĺOFüCEĺISĺASSOCIATEDĺWITHĺTHEĺHARP ĺTHENĺ*AKEĺISĺ AFüLIATEDĺWITHĺTHEĺTRUMPETĺSEEĺ$ARBYĺĺ$Uĺ"OISĺĺ ĺ(ENCEĺTHEĺINITIALĺ CONTRASTĺINĺ#HINATOWNĺBETWEENĺSTRINGSĺANDĺTRUMPET ĺAĺCONTRASTĺTHATĺCANĺBEĺREADĺ ASĺAĺMUSICALĺüGUREĺFORĺ*AKElSĺINITIALĺRESISTANCEĺTOĺROMANCEĺ 'OLDSMITH ĺWHOĺWOULDĺLATERĺGOĺONĺTOĺWRITEĺTHEĺSCOREĺFORĺ,!ĺ#ONüDENTIALĺ  ĺWASĺTHEĺPERFECTĺPERSONĺTOĺkORCHESTRATElĺTHISĺTHEMEĺ!LTHOUGHĺHEĺSTUD IEDĺüLMĺCOMPOSITIONĺWITHĺ-IKLÊSĺ2ÊZSA ĺTHEĺMANĺWHOĺWROTEĺTHEĺkKILLERlĺMUSICĺ FORĺ 4HEĺ +ILLERSĺ  ĺ ANDĺ #RISSĺ #ROSSĺ  ĺ 'OLDSMITHlSĺ SCORES ĺ ESPECIALLYĺ COMPAREDĺTOĺTHEĺHIGHĺROMANTICĺONESĺOFĺ-AXĺ3TEINER ĺ%RICHĺ+ORNGOLDĺANDĺ&RANZĺ 7AXMAN ĺTENDĺTOĺEXHIBITĺANĺkEXTREMEĺECONOMYĺOFĺMELODICĺMEANSlĺ$ARBYĺĺ$Uĺ "OISĺĺ ĺ!TĺTHEĺSAMEĺTIME ĺIFĺ'OLDSMITHlSĺORCHESTRALĺMUSICĺDRAMATISESĺ THEĺkCHANGESĺWHICHĺACCOMPANIEDĺTHEĺDEMISEĺOFĺTHEĺSTUDIOĺSYSTEMlĺ$ARBYĺĺ $Uĺ"OISĺĺ ĺTHEĺSOUNDTRACKĺOFĺ#HINATOWNĺNEVERTHELESSĺINCORPORATES ĺ

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LIKEĺ4HEĺ,ONGĺ'OODBYE ĺSOURCEĺMUSICĺFROMĺTHEĺCLASSICALĺ(OLLYWOODĺPERIODĺ&ORĺ EXAMPLE ĺTHEĺ0ARAMOUNTĺVAULTSĺWEREĺRAIDEDĺFORĺ"RIANĺ(OOKERĺANDĺ2UDOLFĺ&RIMLlSĺ k3OMEĺ $AYlĺ ANDĺ k4HEĺ6AGABONDĺ +INGĺ7ALTZlĺ FROMĺ 4HEĺ6AGABONDĺ +INGĺ  ĺ WHILEĺTHEĺ"UNNYĺ"ERIGAN ĺCORONET STUDDEDĺSTANDARDĺk)ĺ#ANlTĺ'ETĺ3TARTEDlĺFROMĺ THEĺk:IEGFELDĺ&OLLIESĺOFĺlĺPLAYSĺUNDERĺTHEĺSCENEĺWHEREĺ*AKE ĺEMPLOYINGĺONEĺ OFĺTHEĺTRICKSĺOFĺHISĺTRADE ĺPLACESĺANĺ)NGERSOLLĺWATCHĺUNDERĺ(OLLISĺ-ULWRAYlSĺREARĺ LEFTĺTYREĺTOĺTIMEĺHISĺDEPARTUREĺ 3TILL ĺ THEĺ MOSTĺ SIGNIüCANTĺ SOURCEĺ MUSICĺ INĺ #HINATOWNĺ ISĺ DOUBTLESSLYĺ k4HEĺ 7AYĺ9OUĺ,OOKĺ4ONIGHTlĺFROMĺTHEĺ!STAIREĺANDĺ2OGERSĺ2+/ĺMUSICAL ĺ3WINGĺ4IMEĺ  ĺ)Nĺ0OLANSKIlSĺüLM ĺ*EROMEĺ+ERNĺANDĺ$OROTHYĺ&IELDSlĺSONGĺAPPEARSĺFORĺTHEĺ üRSTĺTIMEĺASĺBACKGROUNDĺDIEGETICĺPIANOĺMUSICĺATĺTHEĺ"ROWNĺ$ERBYĺWHEREĺ*AKEĺ HASĺGONEĺTOĺSETTLEĺACCOUNTSĺWITHĺ%VELYNĺ4HEĺSCENE ĺLIKEĺTHEĺMUSIC ĺISĺUNDER STATED ĺALTHOUGHĺTHEĺSEXUALĺTENSIONĺISĺPALPABLE ĺASĺEXPLICITĺASĺ%VELYNlSĺROUGED ĺ #UPID "OWlSĺLIPSTICKĺk4HEĺ7AYĺ9OUĺ,OOKĺ4ONIGHTlĺISĺLATERĺREPRISEDĺINĺ#HINATOWNĺ WHENĺ*AKEĺRETURNSĺTOĺTHEĺ$EPARTMENTĺOFĺ7ATERĺANDĺ0OWERĺAND ĺINĺORDERĺTOĺAN NOYĺTHEĺSECRETARYĺANDĺTHEREBYĺHASTENĺHISĺMEETINGĺWITHĺ-ULWRAYlSĺSUCCESSOR ĺ 2USSĺ9ELBURTONĺ*OHNĺ(ILLERMAN ĺHEĺüRSTĺHUMS ĺTHENĺWHISTLESĺTHEĺüRSTĺFEWĺBARSĺ OFĺTHEĺSONG !FTERĺAĺSHORTĺPAUSE ĺ*AKEĺPROCEEDSĺTOĺSINGĺAĺCOUPLEĺOFĺLINESĺUNDERĺHISĺBREATHĺ ASĺHEĺSTUDIESĺWITHĺINCREASINGĺWONDERĺTHEĺBLACK AND WHITEĺPHOTOGRAPHSĺOFĺ-UL WRAYĺANDĺ.OAHĺ#ROSSĺONĺTHEĺWALLSĺ4HEĺUSEĺOFĺk4HEĺ7AYĺ9OUĺ,OOKĺ4ONIGHTlĺISĺ ESPECIALLYĺRESONANTĺHEREĺNOTĺSIMPLYĺBECAUSEĺ*AKEĺPERFORMSĺITĺBUTĺBECAUSEĺTHEĺ LYRICS ĺ DESPITEĺ THEIRĺ ORIGINALĺ SERIO COMICĺ CONTEXT ĺ ANTICIPATEĺ THEĺ TRAGICĺ CIRCUM STANCESĺINĺWHICHĺ*AKEĺWILLĺUNACCOUNTABLYĺüNDĺHIMSELFĺATĺTHEĺENDĺOFĺTHEĺüLM Some day, When I’m awfully low And the world is cold I will feel a glow just thinking of you And the way you look tonight. 4HEĺCHORUSĺOFĺ+ERNĺANDĺ&IELDSlĺSONGĺISĺEQUALLY ĺIFĺNOTĺMOREĺRESONANTĺk,OVELY ĺĺ .EVER ĺNEVERĺCHANGEĺĺ+EEPĺTHATĺBREATHLESSĺCHARMĺĺ7ONlTĺYOUĺPLEASEĺARRANGEĺ IT ĺlCAUSEĺ)ĺLOVEĺYOUl 4HISĺISĺTHEĺPARAMOUNTĺ&AUSTIANĺPREDICAMENT ĺONEĺTHATĺ*AKEĺANDĺ%VELYNĺSHAREĺ FORĺONEĺBRIEF ĺČEETINGĺMOMENTĺASĺTHEYĺBASKĺINĺTHEĺPOST COITALĺGLOWĺAFTERĺHAVINGĺ MADEĺLOVEĺFORĺTHEĺüRSTĺTIMEĺ4HISĺINTIMATEĺBEDROOMĺSCENEĺSET ĺLIKEĺTHEĺPRECED INGĺBATHROOMĺONE ĺINĺTHEĺMOSTĺPRIVATE ĺRECESSEDĺPARTĺOFĺ%VELYNlSĺHOUSE ĺOPENSĺ WITHĺAĺCLASSICALLYĺČUIDĺPANNINGĺSHOTĺTHATĺAPPEARSĺTOĺCONüRMĺ*AKElSĺSTATUSĺASĺTHEĺ KINDĺOFĺGUYĺWHOĺALWAYSĺGETSĺTHEĺGIRLĺANDĺDOESĺNOTĺCAREĺWHATĺHAPPENSĺONCEĺHEĺ HASĺHADĺHERĺ!SĺSUCH ĺTHEĺkCIGARETTElĺSHOTĺUNDERSCORESĺTHEĺPHALLICĺCONNOTATIONSĺ OFĺTHEĺINSTRUMENTĺTHATĺISĺRITUALLYĺASSOCIATEDĺWITHĺHIM ĺTHEĺTRUMPETĺ!NDĺYET ĺTHEĺ

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RETROSPECTIVEĺPOINTĺOFĺVIEWĺOFĺ+ERNĺANDĺ&IELDSlĺSONG ĺCOMBINEDĺWITHĺ*AKElSĺDE FENSIVE ĺBECAUSEĺEMOTIONALLYĺNAKED ĺPOSE ĺDOESĺNOTĺSOĺMUCHĺCOUNTERPOINTĺASĺ POINTĺUPĺTHEĺINEXORABLEĺPROGRESSĺOFĺ0OLANSKIlSĺüLMĺPARADISEĺISĺMUTABLE ĺPERISH ABLEĺASĺANĺAPPLE ĺANDĺ*AKEĺHASĺALWAYSĺALREADYĺLOSTĺ%VELYN 4HISĺINTENSELYĺLYRICALĺSUBTEXTĺREMATERIALISESĺWITHĺALLĺTHEĺFORCEĺOFĺTHEĺRETURNĺ OFĺTHEĺREPRESSEDĺINĺTHEĺOPERATICĺüNALEĺOFĺ#HINATOWNĺ)NĺTHEĺLONGĺWAKEĺOFĺTHEĺ CARĺHORNĺTHATĺSIGNALSĺ%VELYNlSĺDEATH ĺTHEĺETHEREALĺSOUNDĺOFĺAĺHARPĺSHIMMERSĺ ONEĺ üNAL ĺ GHOSTLYĺ TIMEĺ ASĺ IFĺ TOĺ MARKĺ HERĺ PASSINGĺ4HEN ĺ ASĺ THEĺ CAMERAĺ BE GINSĺTOĺCRANEĺUPWARDĺANDĺTHEĺAMBULANCEĺSIRENSĺSWELLĺONĺTHEĺSOUNDTRACK ĺTHEĺ SOLOĺTRUMPETĺPERFORMEDĺBYĺ5ANĺ2ASEYĺRESPONDSĺTOĺTHEĺHARPlSĺCALLĺWITHĺAĺBRIEF ĺ BLUESYĺ WAILĺ4HEĺ CONCLUDINGĺ NOTEĺ OFĺ THEĺ üLM ĺ kAĺ SUSTAINEDĺ NON TONICĺ #l ĺ MAYĺ BEĺkAMBIGUOUSĺASĺTOĺDESTINATIONlĺ$ARBYĺĺ$Uĺ"OISĺĺ ĺBUTĺABOUTĺONEĺ THINGĺ WEĺ CANĺ BEĺ SUREĺ SOMEĺ DESTINIESĺ CANNOTĺ BEĺ AVERTED ĺ ANDĺ LIKEĺ 0OLANSKIĺ HIMSELFĺAFTERĺTHEĺSENSELESSĺDEATHĺOFĺ3HARONĺ4ATE ĺITSELFĺAĺTRAUMATICĺREPETITIONĺ OFĺHISĺMOTHERlSĺDEATHĺINĺAĺCONCENTRATIONĺCAMP ĺ*AKEĺ'ITTESĺWILLĺNEVERĺBEĺQUITEĺ THEĺSAMEĺAGAIN

This ear for hire: The Conversation )Fĺ THEĺ TECHNOLOGICALĺ PESSIMISMĺ OFĺ 4HEĺ #ONVERSATIONĺ  ĺ LINKSĺ &RANCISĺ &ORDĺ #OPPOLAlSĺüLMĺTOĺTHEĺANTI CORPORATEĺTHEMATICSĺOFĺ0OINTĺ"LANK ĺITSĺDOWNBEATĺCON CLUSIONĺREHEARSESĺTHEĺTRAGICĺENDINGĺOFĺ#HINATOWNĺ!LTHOUGHĺ(ARRYĺ#AULĺ'ENEĺ (ACKMAN ĺ MAYĺ NOTĺ BE ĺ LIKEĺ 'ITTES ĺ Aĺ PRIVATEĺ EYEĺ INĺ Sĺ ,OSĺ !NGELESĺ THEĺ SETTING ĺASĺINĺ0OINTĺ"LANK ĺISĺCONTEMPORARYĺ3ANĺ&RANCISCO ĺATĺTHEĺENDĺOFĺ4HEĺ #ONVERSATIONĺHEĺISĺARGUABLYĺEVENĺMOREĺALIENATEDĺ)NĺFACT ĺ(ARRYĺISĺNOTĺSOĺMUCHĺ AĺkRUN OF THE MILLĺHARD BOILEDĺDETECTIVElĺ'OODWINĺĺ7ISEĺĺ ĺASĺAĺPRI VATEĺEARĺFORĺHIREĺ(ISĺMÀTIER ĺTOĺREDEPLOYĺ*AKEĺ'ITTESlĺRECHERCHÀĺDESCRIPTIONĺOFĺ HIMSELFĺINĺ#HINATOWN ĺISĺELECTRONICĺSURVEILLANCE ĺAĺVOCATIONĺHEĺPURSUESĺWITHĺAĺ COMPULSIONĺTHATĺBORDERSĺONĺTHEĺOBSESSIONALĺ 'IVENĺTHESEĺTOPICALĺCONCERNS ĺTHEĺPLOTĺOFĺ4HEĺ#ONVERSATIONĺISĺINEVITABLYĺCAR RIED ĺ ASĺ THEĺ üLMlSĺ SOUNDĺ EDITORĺ7ALTERĺ -URCHĺ SAYS ĺ kBYĺ THEĺ SOUNDlĺ INĺ #LARKEĺ ĺ  ĺ ANDĺ CANĺ THEREFOREĺ BEĺ INTERPRETEDĺ ASĺ ANĺ ALLEGORYĺ ABOUTĺ THEĺ PRODUC TIONĺOFĺüLMĺSOUNDĺORĺTHEĺSOUNDĺDESIGNERĺASĺAUTEURĺ-OREĺGENERALLY ĺ#OPPOLAlSĺ üLMĺ CONSTITUTESĺ ANĺ ACOUSTICĺ INVERSIONĺ OFĺ -ICHAELANGELOĺ !NTONIONIlSĺ "LOW 5Pĺ  ĺMAXIMISINGĺTHEĺCONSPICUOUSĺSOUNDĺEFFECTSĺTHATĺDISTINGUISHĺAĺüLMĺLIKEĺ #HINATOWNĺANDĺDECONSTRUCTING ĺASĺINĺTHEĺ(OLLYWOODĺMUSICAL ĺTHEĺSOUNDIMAGEĺ HIERARCHYĺTHATĺUNDERWRITESĺCLASSICALĺREALISTĺCINEMAĺ4HEĺRESULTĺISĺAĺCLAUSTROPHO BIC ĺTOPSY TURVYĺAUDIO VISIONĺTHATĺENCAPSULATESĺTHEĺPARANOIAĺANDĺCONSPIRATORIALĺ 3TIMMUNGĺATĺTHEĺVERYĺHEARTĺOFĺSĺNEO NOIRĺ 4RUEĺ TOĺ THISĺ AUDIOVISUALĺ AESTHETIC ĺ THEĺ MULTIDIMENSIONALĺ NARRATIVEĺ OFĺ 4HEĺ #ONVERSATIONĺISĺDESIGNED ĺASĺ#OPPOLAĺHASĺADMITTED ĺkLIKEĺAĺPIECEĺOFĺMUSIClĺINĺ #LARKEĺĺ ĺ&ORĺEXAMPLE ĺTHEĺSCORE ĺWHICHĺWASĺCOMPOSEDĺBYĺ$AVIDĺ3HIRE ĺ

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WHOĺALSOĺWROTEĺTHEĺMUSICĺFORĺ&AREWELL ĺ-Yĺ,OVELYĺ ĺPROVIDESĺAĺRUNNINGĺ INSTRUMENTALĺCOMMENTARYĺONĺTHEĺVISUALĺACTION ĺBECOMINGĺDISTINCTLYĺMOREĺDIS SONANTĺASĺTHEĺüLMĺPROGRESSESĺ#OMPOSEDĺFORĺONLYĺONEĺINSTRUMENT ĺTHEĺPIANO ĺ 3HIRElSĺPRE SYNCHRONISEDĺMUSICĺNOTĺONLYĺBEARSĺANĺINVERSEĺRELATIONĺTOĺ4HEĺ'OD FATHERĺ ĺANDĺ4HEĺ'ODFATHERĺ0ARTĺ))ĺ ĺTHATĺPRECEDEĺANDĺSUCCEEDĺITĺBUTĺ ISĺTHEĺkANTITHESISĺOFĺTHEĺBIG BUDGETĺEPICĺSCORElĺ!NDERSONĺĺ ĺ,IKEĺTHEĺ CONVERSATIONĺTHATĺ(ARRYĺANDĺHISĺCOHORTSĺENDEAVOURĺTOĺDECODE ĺITĺISĺALSOĺRIFEĺWITHĺ ELECTRONICALLYĺSYNTHESISEDĺNOISEĺANDĺINTERFERENCE )NĺADDITIONĺTOĺ3HIRElSĺPIANOĺSCORE ĺ4HEĺ#ONVERSATIONĺBOASTS ĺASĺINĺ#HINATOWN ĺ AĺNUMBERĺOFĺSOURCEĺSONGSĺFROMĺTHEĺCANONĺOFĺ!MERICANĺPOPULARĺMUSIC ĺINCLUDINGĺ *AYĺ,IVINGSTONĺANDĺ2AYĺ%VANSlĺk4Oĺ%ACHĺ(ISĺ/WNlĺ ĺWHICHĺPLAYS ĺTELLINGLY ĺ INĺTHEĺBACKGROUNDĺATĺTHEĺSURVEILLANCEĺCONVENTIONĺATĺTHEĺ3AINTĺ&RANCISĺ(OTEL ĺASĺ WELLĺASĺ$UKEĺ%LLINGTONlSĺk3OPHISTICATEDĺ,ADYlĺ ĺANDĺ*OHNNYĺ'REENĺANDĺ%D WARDĺ(EYMANlSĺk/UTĺOFĺ.OWHERElĺ ĺWHICHĺCANĺBEĺHEARDĺATĺTHEĺWAREHOUSEĺ PARTYĺWHEREĺ(ARRYĺFALLSĺFORĺTHEĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺ4HEĺ#ONVERSATIONĺBEGINS ĺINĺFACT ĺ ONĺ Aĺ MUSICALĺ NOTEĺ )Nĺ THEĺ OPENINGĺ SEQUENCE ĺ THEĺ SLIGHTLYĺ DISTORTEDĺ MUSICĺ ONĺ THEĺSOUNDTRACKĺISĺ(UGHIEĺ#ANNONlSĺk"ILLĺ"AILEY ĺ7ONlTĺ9OUĺ0LEASEĺ#OMEĺ(OMElĺ  ĺPLAYEDĺ$IXIELAND STYLEĺBYĺAĺRAG TAGĺBANDĺOFĺSTREETĺMUSICIANS 7HILEĺTHISĺDIEGETICĺSTREETĺMUSICĺISĺTHEĺMOSTĺAUDIBLEĺPARTĺOFĺTHEĺINITIALĺkAUDIO ZOOMlĺ "ECKĺ ĺ  ĺ Aĺ STRAIGHTĺ CUTĺ FROMĺ 5NIONĺ 3QUAREĺ TOĺ Aĺ LONGĺ SHOTĺ OFĺ Aĺ MANĺ PERCHEDĺ UNDERNEATHĺ THEĺ NEON LITĺ k#ITYĺ OFĺ 0ARISlĺ SIGNĺ FOLLOWED ĺ INĺ TURN ĺ BYĺAĺSWISHĺPANĺTOĺAĺSHOTĺOFĺAĺMANĺWEDGEDĺINĺAĺWINDOWĺOFĺANĺOFüCEĺBUILDINGĺ ACROSSĺ THEĺ QUADĺ INDICATESĺ THEĺ ACOUSTICĺ PARAMETERSĺ OFĺ THEĺ SCENEĺ4HEĺ SUBSE QUENTĺCLOSE UPĺOFĺTHEĺSECONDĺMAN ĺWHOĺISĺARMEDĺWITHĺAĺSHOTGUNĺMICROPHONEĺ WITHĺTELESCOPICĺSIGHTS ĺINTRODUCES ĺHOWEVER ĺAĺSINISTERĺNOTEĺCAUGHTĺWITHINĺTHEĺ CROSSHAIRĺOFĺHISĺkRIČElĺLIKEĺSOĺMANYĺINSECTSĺAREĺHISĺkTARGETSl ĺ!NNĺ#INDYĺ7ILLIAMS ĺ ANDĺ-ARKĺ&REDERICĺ&ORREST ĺ !FTERĺANĺESTABLISHINGĺSHOTĺOFĺ5NIONĺ3QUARE ĺWEĺAREĺSUDDENLYĺPLUNGEDĺINTOĺ THEĺACTIONĺATĺSTREETĺLEVELĺ!NNĺANDĺ-ARK ĺWEĺSOONĺREALISE ĺAREĺNOTĺONLYĺBEINGĺ SURVEILLEDĺ FROMĺ ABOVEĺ BUTĺ AREĺ BEINGĺ TRAILEDĺ ONĺ FOOTĺBYĺYETĺANOTHERĺMAN ĺ0AULĺ -ICHAELĺ(IGGINS ĺWHOĺISĺWEARINGĺAĺHEARINGĺAIDĺANDĺCARRYINGĺAĺDIRECTIONALĺMI CROPHONEĺ CONCEALEDĺASĺ Aĺ #HRISTMASĺPRESENTĺ INĺAĺ SHOPPINGĺBAGĺ!ĺLATERĺSHOT ĺ THOUGHĺČEETING ĺELUCIDATESĺTHEĺINTRICATEĺWEBĺOFĺRELATIONSĺTHATĺTHEĺüLMĺRAVELSĺ Aĺ MANĺ ISĺ PLAYINGĺ THEĺ SAXOPHONEĺ INĺ THEĺ FOREGROUND ĺ!NNĺ ANDĺ -ARKĺ AREĺ INĺ THEĺ MIDDLEĺGROUND ĺANDĺINĺTHEĺBACKGROUND ĺONĺTHEĺSAMEĺSIDEĺOFĺTHEĺSCREENĺASĺTHEĺ SAXOPHONIST ĺ ISĺ (ARRY ĺ BALDING ĺ BESPECTACLED ĺ WEARINGĺ NOTĺ UNLIKEĺ -ARLOWEĺ INĺ 4HEĺ,ONGĺ'OODBYE ĺTHEĺSAMEĺCLOTHESĺHEĺWEARSĺEVERYĺDAY ĺAĺTRANSPARENTĺPLASTICĺ TRENCHĺCOATĺ)TĺWILLĺSOONĺBECOMEĺAPPARENTĺTHATĺ(ARRYlSĺPROXIMITYĺTOĺTHEĺSAXO PHONEĺPLAYER ĺINĺCONCERTĺWITHĺTHATĺOFĺTHEĺILLICITĺLOVERS ĺISĺNOTĺACCIDENTALĺTHATĺITĺBE SPEAKSĺAĺCOUNTERVAILINGĺDESIREĺONĺHISĺPART ĺONEĺSIGNIüEDĺBYĺTHEĺSNATCHĺOFĺSONGĺ THATĺ!NNĺSINGSĺRIGHTĺAFTERĺSHEĺANDĺ-ARKĺHAVEĺMOVEDĺOUTĺOFĺ(ARRYlSĺIMMEDIATEĺ ORBIT ĺk7AKEĺUP ĺWAKEĺUP ĺYOUĺSLEEPYĺHEADal

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(ARRYlSĺ DREAMĺ WISH ĺ WHICHĺ GOESĺ TOTALLYĺ AGAINSTĺ THEĺ GRAINĺ OFĺ HISĺ SELF PRO CLAIMEDĺ DESIREĺ FORĺ ISOLATION ĺ ACHIEVESĺ ITSĺ MOSTĺ ELABORATEĺ MUSICALĺ EXPRESSIONĺ VIAĺTHEĺSIGNATUREĺSONGĺOFĺ4HEĺ#ONVERSATION ĺk7HENĺTHEĺ2ED ĺ2EDĺ2OBINĺ#OMESĺ "OB ĺ"OB ĺ"OBBINlĺ!LONGlĺ!SĺWITHĺTHEĺBOOKENDEDĺUSEĺOFĺk(OORAYĺFORĺ(OLLYWOODlĺ INĺ4HEĺ,ONGĺ'OODBYE ĺTHEĺRECOURSEĺTOĺTHISĺ(ARRYĺ7OODSĺSTANDARDĺINĺ4HEĺ#ON VERSATIONĺCANĺBEĺSAIDĺTOĺREITERATEĺTHEĺBEGINNINGĺOFĺSOUNDĺCINEMAĺSINCEĺONEĺOFĺ THEĺVERYĺüRSTĺ6ITAPHONEĺSHORTS ĺ!ĺ0LANTATIONĺ!CTĺ ĺFEATURESĺ!Lĺ*OLSONĺSING INGĺk2ED ĺ2EDĺ2OBINlĺpĺASĺINĺ4HEĺ*AZZĺ3INGERĺ ĺpĺINĺBLACKFACEĺ .OTĺ UNLIKEĺ THEĺ REPETITIONĺ OFĺ k4HEĺ ,ONGĺ 'OODBYElĺ INĺ !LTMANlSĺ üLM ĺ THEĺ RE CURRENCEĺ OFĺ!NNlSĺ FRAGMENTARYĺ RECITATIONĺ OFĺ k2ED ĺ 2EDĺ 2OBINlĺ THROUGHOUTĺ THEĺ CONVOLUTEDĺCOURSEĺOFĺ4HEĺ#ONVERSATIONĺALSOĺENGENDERSĺAĺLYRICALĺMOTIFĺWHOSEĺ CONTEXTUALĺVARIATIONSĺAREĺASĺCOMPLEXĺASĺ(ARRYĺ#AULĺHIMSELFĺ&ORĺEXAMPLE ĺTHEĺ (ARRYĺ7OODSĺSONGĺISĺEXPLOITEDĺFORĺBOTHĺLYRICALĺANDĺDRAMATICĺEFFECTĺINĺTHEĺCRUCIALĺ POST CONVENTIONĺSEQUENCEĺSETĺATĺTHEĺWAREHOUSEĺWHEREĺ"ERNARDĺ-ORANĺ!LLENĺ 'ARüELD ĺ DISCLOSESĺ (ARRYlSĺ TRAUMATICĺ INVOLVEMENTĺ INĺ THEĺ k7ELFAREĺ &UNDlĺ INCI DENTĺ!FTERĺ(ARRYĺTHROWSĺAĺüTĺANDĺEVERYONEĺEXCEPTĺ-EREDITHĺ%LIZABETHĺ-C2AE ĺ LEAVES ĺTHEREĺISĺAĺSTUNNING ĺDEEP FOCUSĺSHOTĺOFĺTHEĺWIDE OPENĺSPACEĺWHEREĺHEĺ WASĺEARLIERĺENGAGEDĺINĺCONVERSATIONĺWITHĺHER ĺANĺINTIMATEĺCONVERSATIONĺTHAT ĺTOĺ HISĺVERYĺREALĺDISMAY ĺ-ORANĺRECORDEDĺ)NĺTHEĺBACKGROUNDĺANĺINDUSTRIALĺLIFTĺCANĺBEĺ SEENĺANDĺASĺTHEĺGROUPĺLEAVES ĺWEĺCANĺHEARĺSOMEONEĺ-ORAN ĺNOTĺONLYĺSINGING ĺ LIKEĺ!NN ĺTHEĺüRSTĺVERSEĺOFĺk2ED ĺ2EDĺ2OBINlĺBUTĺTHEĺSECOND ĺSYMPTOMATICĺONEĺ ASĺWELL ĺk4HERElLLĺBEĺNOĺMOREĺSOBBINlal (ARRY ĺMEANWHILE ĺISĺFORLORNLYĺSTANDINGĺINSIDEĺTHEĺCAGEĺWHEREĺHEĺKEEPSĺHISĺ EQUIPMENT ĺREPLAYINGĺkTHEĺCONVERSATIONlĺ#ONCERNED ĺ-EREDITHĺCOMESĺOVERĺANDĺ TELLSĺHIMĺTOĺTURNĺITĺOFF ĺBUTĺ(ENRYĺCONTINUESĺTOĺLETĺITĺPLAYĺUNTILĺWEĺHEARĺ!NNlSĺVOICEĺ ONĺTHEĺTAPEĺpĺk7AKEĺUP ĺWAKEĺUP ĺYOUĺSLEEPYĺHEADalĺpĺSOUNDING ĺCOMPAREDĺ

Private ear: The Conversation

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ATĺLEASTĺTOĺTHEĺSTREETĺBANDlSĺRAUCOUSĺRENDITIONĺOFĺk2ED ĺ2EDĺ2OBINl ĺNAKEDĺANDĺ FRAGILEĺ7Eĺ THENĺ WATCHĺ INĺ LONGĺ SHOTĺ ASĺ -EREDITH ĺ FULLYĺ ASSUMINGĺ HERĺ FEMMEĺ FATALEĺPERSONA ĺSTRIPS ĺBUTĺDESPITEĺTHEĺLYRICALĺPROMPTINGĺk4HERElLLĺBEĺNOĺMOREĺ SOBBINlĺ WHENĺ HEĺ STARTSĺ THROBBINll ĺ (ARRYĺ REMAINSĺ COMPLETELYĺ DRESSED ĺ LYINGĺ MOTIONLESSĺONĺAĺCOT ĺASĺIMPASSIVEĺASĺ3WEDEĺ"URTĺ,ANCASTER ĺATĺTHEĺBEGINNINGĺ OFĺ4HEĺ+ILLERS ĺTHEĺWIRE MESHĺCAGEĺTHROWINGĺCRISS CROSSĺSHADOWSĺONĺTHEĺCLEANĺ WHITEĺPILLOWĺONĺWHICHĺHISĺTROUBLEDĺHEADĺRESTS 4HEĺ#ONVERSATIONĺDOESĺNOTĺCONCLUDE ĺHOWEVER ĺWITHĺk2ED ĺ2EDĺ2OBINlĺBUTĺ ONĺANOTHERĺMUSICALĺNOTEĺTHATĺDRAMATICALLYĺRECAPITULATESĺTHEĺOPENINGĺSEQUENCEĺ OFĺTHEĺüLMĺANDĺBOTHĺ!NNĺANDĺ(ARRYlSĺSTATUSĺASĺPERFORMERSĺ!FTERĺSUPERVISINGĺTHEĺ RECORDINGĺOFĺkTHEĺCONVERSATIONl ĺ(ARRYĺRETURNSĺTOĺHISĺAPARTMENTĺWHICHĺISĺASĺSPAR TANĺASĺHISĺPHILOSOPHYĺ4HEĺCAMERAĺCUTSĺFROMĺ(ARRYĺSITTINGĺONĺTHEĺCOUCHĺINĺHISĺ LIVINGĺROOM ĺKINDĺOFĺBLUEĺEVENĺTHOUGHĺITĺISĺHISĺBIRTHDAY ĺTOĺAĺTIGHTĺCLOSE UPĺOFĺHISĺ FACEĺAS ĺGLASSESĺOFF ĺEYESĺCLOSEDĺINĺCONCENTRATION ĺHEĺBLOWSĺAWAYĺONĺHISĺTENORĺ SAXOPHONEĺALONGĺWITHĺAĺSONGĺONĺTHEĺRECORDĺPLAYERĺ4HEĺSONG ĺk"LUESĺFORĺ(ARRYl ĺ WASĺCOMPOSEDĺBYĺ3HIRE ĺANDĺ(ACKMANlSĺPLAYINGĺWASĺDUBBEDĺBYĺ*USTINĺ'ORDON ĺ 7HILEĺ(ARRYĺISĺCOMPLETELYĺABSORBEDĺINĺTHISĺk" ČATĺBLUESlĺ!NDERSONĺĺ ĺ THEĺENSUINGĺCLOSE UPĺOFĺTHEĺRECORDĺPLAYERĺEMPHASISES ĺEVENĺMOREĺSOĺTHANĺHISĺ SLIGHTLYĺOUT OF SYNCĺPLAYING ĺTHEĺDISJUNCTIONĺBETWEENĺLIVEĺANDĺkLIVElĺRECORDEDĺPER FORMANCE ĺANĺAUDIOĺNOTEĺREINFORCEDĺBYĺTHEĺAUDIENCEĺAPPLAUSEĺWHENĺTHEĺRECORDĺ ENDSĺANDĺBYĺTHEĺWIDEĺCENTREDĺSHOTĺOFĺ(ARRYĺSEATEDĺINĺHISĺSTRAIGHT BACKĺCHAIR ĺHISĺ HEADĺBOWEDĺASĺIFĺINĺHUMBLEĺACKNOWLEDGEMENTĺ 4HEĺüNALĺSEQUENCEĺOFĺ4HEĺ#ONVERSATIONĺPUTSĺAĺPERVERSEĺTWISTĺONĺTHEĺABOVEĺ PERFORMATIVEĺMOMENTĺ)TĺBEGINSĺWITHĺAĺJARRINGĺCUTĺFROMĺAĺSHOTĺOFĺTHEĺ$IRECTORlSĺ 2OBERTĺ$UVALL ĺBODY ĺCOVEREDĺWITHĺAĺBLOOD SMEAREDĺSHEETĺOFĺPLASTICĺANDĺLAIDĺ OUTĺLIKEĺAĺFUNERAL PARLOURĺCORPSEĺINĺTHEĺHOTELĺROOMĺTHATĺ(ARRYĺBUGGEDĺEARLIER ĺTOĺ AĺCLASSICĺ!MERICANĺSHOTĺOFĺ(ARRY ĺNOWĺWEARINGĺGLASSESĺANDĺPLAYINGĺTHEĺSAXO PHONEĺAGAINĺTOĺTHEĺAPTLYĺTITLEDĺk,OVEĺ"UGlĺINĺTHEĺLIVINGĺROOMĺOFĺHISĺAPARTMENTĺ 3UDDENLY ĺTHEĺTELEPHONEĺRINGSĺ(ARRYĺTURNSĺDOWNĺTHEĺSTEREO ĺBUTĺWHENĺHEĺPICKSĺ UPĺTHEĺRECEIVER ĺTHEĺLINEĺISĺDEAD )NĺANĺENCOREĺOFĺTHEĺüXED CAMERAĺSET UPĺTHATĺOPENSĺTHEĺüRSTĺSEQUENCEĺSETĺ ATĺ(ARRYlSĺAPARTMENT ĺTHEĺCAMERAĺSTAYSĺONĺTHEĺPHONEĺASĺHEĺWALKSĺOUTĺOFĺFRAMEĺ WHILE ĺOFFSCREEN ĺTHEĺVOLUMEĺOFĺTHEĺSTEREOĺGOESĺBACKĺUPĺANDĺ(ARRYĺBEGINSĺPLAY INGĺMOREĺAUTHORITATIVELYĺTHANĺBEFORE ĺTHEĺSOUNDĺOFĺHISĺSAXOPHONEĺEXPANDINGĺEX PRESSIONISTICALLYĺTOĺüLLĺTHEĺROOMĺ4HEĺPHONEĺRINGSĺAGAINĺANDĺASĺTHEĺRECORDĺENDS ĺ (ARRYĺGOESĺOVERĺTOĺANSWERĺITĺ(OWEVER ĺINĺRESPONSEĺTOĺ(ARRYlSĺREPEATEDĺkHELLOSl ĺ THEREĺISĺONLYĺELECTRONICĺNOISEĺAND ĺüNALLY ĺCLEARĺASĺAĺBELL ĺTHEĺVOICEĺOFĺTHEĺ$IREC TORlSĺNEFARIOUSĺASSISTANT ĺ-ARTINĺ3TETTĺ(ARRISONĺ&ORD ĺk7EĺKNOWĺTHATĺYOUĺKNOWĺ &ORĺYOURĺOWNĺSAKEĺDONlTĺGETĺINVOLVEDĺANYĺFURTHERĺ7ElLLĺBEĺLISTENINGĺTOĺYOUlĺ4HENĺ THEĺCOUPĺDEĺGR¹CEĺASĺ(ARRYĺSTANDSĺUP ĺTHEĺSOUNDĺOFĺHISĺSAXOPHONE ĺDISTORTED ĺ DIMINISHED ĺCOMESĺBACKĺTOĺHIMĺOVERĺTHEĺTELEPHONEĺ4HEĺPLAYERĺISĺPLAYED ĺTHEĺ RECORDERĺRECORDED ĺTHEĺBUGGERĺBUGGED

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4HEĺüNALĺPASSAGEĺOFĺ4HEĺ#ONVERSATIONĺISĺVISUALLYĺANDĺACOUSTICALLYĺSTARTLINGĺ )NĺONEĺOFĺTHEĺMOSTĺDEVASTATINGĺCONCLUSIONSĺINĺALLĺOFĺNEO NOIR ĺ(ARRY ĺINĺANĺEFFORTĺ TOĺLOCATEĺTHEĺBUGGINGĺDEVICE ĺDISMANTLESĺHISĺAPARTMENTĺPIECEĺBYĺPIECE ĺAĺPARA NOIA INDUCEDĺACTĺOFĺSELF DESTRUCTIONĺPREüGUREDĺBYĺTHEĺDEMOLITIONĺOFĺTHEĺBUILDINGĺ OCCURRINGĺRIGHTĺOUTSIDEĺHISĺLIVING ROOMĺWINDOWĺ#OULDĺTHEĺBUGĺBEĺLOCATEDĺINĺHISĺ BELOVEDĺSAXOPHONE ĺ4HEĺLASTĺTHINGĺWEĺSEEĺISĺTHEĺCAMERAĺASĺITĺSLOWLY ĺMECHANI CALLYĺPANSĺFROMĺRIGHTĺTOĺLEFTĺOVERĺTHEĺDEBRIS STREWNĺSPACEĺOFĺTHEĺAPARTMENTĺTHEN ĺ BEFOREĺRESUMINGĺITSĺRHYMINGĺREVERSEĺPAN ĺSTOPSĺBRIEČYĺONĺ(ARRY ĺWHOĺISĺSEATEDĺ INĺHISĺSTRAIGHT BACKĺCHAIRĺAGAINSTĺONEĺGOODĺWALL ĺTHEĺSAXOPHONEĺTOĺHISĺLIPS ĺTHEĺ SOUNDĺRESOUNDINGĺINĺTHEĺEMPTYĺSPACEĺASĺIFĺINĺANĺECHOĺCHAMBERĺ3INCEĺTHEREĺISĺ NOĺRECORDĺPLAYING ĺ(ARRYĺAPPEARSĺTOĺBEĺTRYINGĺTOĺKEEPĺTIMEĺTOĺSOMEĺIMMACULATEĺ MEASUREĺINĺHISĺHEAD ĺANĺIDEALĺTUNEĺSIGNIüEDĺBYĺTHEĺkPIANOĺBLUESĺPROGRESSIONlĺ !NDERSONĺĺ ĺONĺTHEĺSOUNDTRACKĺ4HEĺSCREENĺGOESĺBLACK ĺBUTĺTHEĺAUDIOĺ TRACKĺCONTINUESĺTHEĺLASTĺTHINGĺAĺSOUND ĺNOTĺ3HIRElSĺPIANOĺBUTĺTHEĺEXPIRATIONĺOFĺ (ARRYlSĺSAXOPHONE ĺDWINDLINGĺNOTEĺBYĺNOTEĺINTOĺTHEĺDEEP ĺENVELOPINGĺSILENCEĺ

Travis’s ‘mood music’: Taxi Driver 0AULĺ3CHRADERĺCONTENDSĺTHATĺTHEĺkTHIRDĺANDĺüNALĺPHASElĺOFĺüLMĺNOIRĺWASĺAĺkPERIODĺ OFĺPSYCHOTICĺACTIONĺANDĺSUICIDALĺIMPULSElĺĺ ĺ!LTHOUGHĺTHEĺOSTENSIBLEĺ SUBJECTĺOFĺHISĺESSAYĺISĺTHEĺüNALĺCYCLEĺOFĺüLMĺNOIRĺFROMĺĺTOĺ ĺHEĺMIGHTĺ ASĺWELLĺHAVEĺBEENĺDESCRIBINGĺ4AXIĺ$RIVERĺ ĺWHICHĺHEĺWROTE ĺANDĺITSĺkEND OF THE LINElĺANTI HERO ĺ4RAVISĺ"ICKLEĺ2OBERTĺ$Eĺ.IRO ĺ)NĺMANYĺWAYS ĺ"ICKLEĺISĺDIA METRICALLYĺOPPOSEDĺTOĺ4HEĺ#ONVERSATIONlSĺ(ARRYĺ#AULĺWHILEĺ(ARRY ĺWHENĺFACEDĺ WITHĺCONČICT ĺRETREATSĺINTOĺHIMSELFĺANDĺHISĺJAZZ COCOONEDĺWORLD ĺ4RAVIS ĺWOUNDĺ UPĺINSIDEĺLIKEĺAĺSPRINGĺANDĺBEREFTĺEVENĺOFĺTHEĺCONSOLATIONSĺOFĺPOPULARĺMUSIC ĺ EVENTUALLYĺRELEASESĺHISĺSEXUALLY FUELLEDĺAGGRESSIONĺONĺTHEĺHOSTILEĺWORLDĺAROUNDĺ HIMĺ)NĺFACT ĺINĺTHEĺWORLDĺACCORDINGĺTOĺ3CORSESE ĺONEĺTHATĺISĺVIRTUALLYĺUNIMAGINA BLEĺWITHOUTĺMUSIC ĺ4RAVISĺISĺEFFECTIVELYĺOTHEREDĺBYĺTHISĺDISCOURSE &ORĺ EXAMPLE ĺ INĺ THEĺ MIDSTĺ OFĺ HISĺ üRSTĺ DATEĺ WITHĺ "ETSYĺ #YBILLĺ 3HEPHERD ĺ SHEĺTELLSĺ4RAVISĺTHATĺHEĺREMINDSĺHERĺOFĺAĺ+RISĺ+RISTOFFERSONĺSONG ĺk4HEĺ0ILGRIM ĺ #HAPTERĺlĺk(ElSĺAĺPROPHETĺANDĺAĺPUSHER ĺPARTLYĺTRUTH ĺPARTLYĺüCTION ĺAĺWALKINGĺ CONTRADICTIONlĺ3IMULTANEOUSLYĺFASCINATEDĺANDĺPUTĺOFFĺBYĺHERĺANALYSIS ĺ4RAVISĺPRO CEEDSĺTOĺPURCHASEĺAĺCOPYĺOFĺ3ILVER 4ONGUEDĺ$EVILĺANDĺ)ĺ ĺATĺAĺLOCALĺRECORDĺ STORE ĺGIVINGĺITĺTOĺ"ETSYĺATĺTHEĺBEGINNINGĺOFĺTHEIRĺSECONDĺDATEĺ4HISĺGIFTĺEXCHANGE ĺ HOWEVER ĺREPRESENTSĺTHEĺAPEXĺOFĺTHEIRĺRELATIONSHIPĺ%VENĺBEFOREĺ4RAVISĺMISTAK ENLYĺTAKESĺHERĺTOĺAĺMATINEEĺSCREENINGĺOFĺ4HEĺ3WEDISHĺ-ARRIAGEĺ-ANUALĺ ĺ ATĺAĺMIDTOWNĺ-ANHATTANĺMOVIEĺTHEATREĺpĺONĺNDĺ3TREET ĺNOĺLESSĺpĺTHISĺDISAS TROUSĺ MOMENTĺ HASĺ BEENĺ FORESHADOWEDĺ BYĺ THEIRĺ WIDELYĺ DIFFERINGĺ VIEWSĺ ABOUTĺ MUSICĺWHILEĺ"ETSYĺkCANlTĺLIVEĺWITHOUTĺITl ĺ4RAVISĺDOESĺNOTĺkFOLLOWĺMUSICĺMUCHlĺ HISĺRECORDĺPLAYERĺISĺBROKEN ĺORĺSOĺHEĺSAYS ĺANDĺTHEĺONLYĺKINDĺHEĺAPPEARSĺTOĺBEĺ ACQUAINTEDĺWITHĺISĺWHATĺ3CORSESEĺCALLSĺTHEĺkMELODYĺINĺHISĺHEADl

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5NLIKEĺTHEĺCHARACTERSĺINĺ-EANĺ3TREETS ĺWHOSEĺRESTLESSNESSĺAPPEARSĺTOĺBEĺAĺ REČECTIONĺOFĺTHEĺONGOINGĺBATTLEĺBETWEENĺTRADITIONALĺ)TALIANĺANDĺROCKlNlROLLĺMUSICĺ FOUGHTĺOUTĺONĺTHEĺRADIOSĺANDĺJUKEBOXESĺOFĺ,ITTLEĺ)TALY ĺTHEĺORCHESTRALĺSCOREĺOFĺ4AXIĺ $RIVER ĺTHEĺLASTĺONEĺCOMPOSEDĺBYĺ"ERNARDĺ(ERRMANN ĺDOESĺNOTĺSOĺMUCHĺARTICU LATEĺ4RAVISlSĺINCHOATEĺEMOTIONSĺASĺSUBJECTĺHIMĺTOĺITSĺDISCURSIVEĺRULESĺ!LTHOUGHĺ THEĺSOLOĺALTOĺSAXOPHONEĺTHEMEĺPERFORMEDĺBYĺ2ONNIEĺ,ANGĺISĺONLYĺONE ĺALBEITĺ CRUCIAL ĺASPECTĺOFĺ(ERRMANNlSĺMUSICĺFORĺ4AXIĺ$RIVER ĺITĺISĺREČEXIVELYĺASSOCIATEDĺ FORĺMANYĺPEOPLEĺNOTĺONLYĺWITHĺ3CORSESElSĺüLMĺBUTĺWITHĺNOIRĺITSELFĺ(ENCEĺ!MYĺ 4AUBINlSĺ RÀSUMÀĺ OFĺ 4AXIĺ $RIVERlSĺ NOIRĺ SEMANTICSĺ THEĺ küRSTĺ PERSONĺ VOICE OVERĺ NARRATION ĺTHEĺEXPRESSIONISTĺCAMERAĺANGLESĺANDĺMOVEMENTS ĺANDĺ"ERNARDĺ(ER RMANNlSĺMOODY ĺJAZZ INČECTEDĺSCORElĺĺ  4HEĺUNIVOCALĺASSOCIATIONĺOFĺ4AXIĺ$RIVERĺWITHĺTHEĺkJAZZlĺMOTIF ĺTHOUGH ĺISĺLESSĺ AĺRELIABLEĺINDEXĺOFĺTHEĺRANGEĺOFĺ(ERRMANNlSĺSCOREĺTHANĺAĺRESULTĺOFĺWHATĺ-ICHELĺ #HIONĺCALLSĺAĺkRETROSPECTIVEĺILLUSIONlĺINĺ"UTLERĺĺ ĺ)TĺISĺNOTĺSIMPLYĺTHAT ĺ UNLIKEĺ(ARRYĺ#AUL ĺ4RAVISĺDOESĺNOTĺPLAYĺTHEĺSAXOPHONEĺSINCE ĺTOĺRECOLLECTĺ#HINA TOWN ĺ*AKEĺ'ITTESĺDOESĺNOTĺPLAYĺTHEĺINSTRUMENTĺWITHĺWHICHĺHEĺISĺIDENTIüEDĺINĺ THATĺüLMĺ2ATHER ĺITĺISĺTHATĺTHEĺROMANTICĺMELODYĺINĺ4RAVISlSĺHEADĺISĺCONTINUALLY ĺ INSISTENTLYĺ OPPOSEDĺ BYĺ ANOTHER ĺ MARTIALĺ STRAINĺ OFĺ MUSICĺ SCOREDĺ FORĺ BRASS ĺ PER CUSSIONĺ ANDĺ WOODWINDSĺ4HEĺ MUSICALĺ CHIAROSCUROĺ THATĺ THESEĺ TWOĺ COMPETINGĺ STRAINSĺPRODUCEĺREMAINSĺCOUNTERPOISEDĺUNTILĺTHEĺFATEFULĺMOMENTĺWHENĺ"ETSYĺ EMPHATICALLYĺREJECTSĺ4RAVISĺ!SĺSHEĺDEPARTSĺINĺAĺTAXI ĺ4RAVISĺISĺLEFTĺSTANDINGĺALONEĺ ANDĺBEWILDEREDĺONĺTHEĺSIDEWALK ĺAĺPIVOTALĺMOMENTĺPREPAREDĺFORĺINĺTHEĺüLMĺBYĺ THEĺAPPEARANCEĺOFĺTHEĺSTREETĺMUSICIANĺ'ENEĺ$Eĺ0ALMA ĺWHOĺPLAYSĺINĺTHEĺkSYN COPATEDĺ STYLElĺ OFĺ 'ENEĺ +RUPAĺ ANDĺ WHOSEĺ SOLOĺ SNARE DRUMĺ ROLLSĺ UNDERCUTĺ THEĺ NOSTALGIC ĺNOIR PERIODĺSWINGĺOFĺTHEĺSAXOPHONEĺTHEME !LTHOUGHĺ THEĺ kDARK ĺ MILITARISTICĺ MUSIClĺ ASSOCIATEDĺ WITHĺ4RAVISlSĺ SEXUALĺ ANDĺ AGGRESSIVEĺIMPULSESĺDOMINATESĺTHEĺSCOREĺFROMĺTHISĺMOMENTĺONĺ"UTLERĺĺ  ĺTHEĺSAXOPHONEĺMELODYĺINTRODUCEDĺBYĺAĺHARPĺANDĺINSPIREDĺBYĺ4RAVISlSĺüRST ĺ PRISTINEĺ VISIONĺ OFĺ "ETSYĺ EVENTUALLYĺ RETURNSĺ ONĺ THEĺ SOUNDTRACK ĺ NOWĺ DISPLACEDĺ ONTOĺTHEĺüGUREĺOFĺTHEĺPROSTITUTE ĺ)RISĺ*ODYĺ&OSTER ĺWHOĺHENCEFORTHĺCOMESĺTOĺ BEARĺ THEĺ BURDENĺ OFĺ4RAVISlSĺ ALTERNATELYĺ DEBASEDĺ ANDĺ IDEALISEDĺ CONCEPTIONĺ OFĺ WOMENĺ!ĺSYNTHESISĺOFĺTHEĺTWOĺMODESĺOFĺMUSICĺpĺTHEĺROMANTICĺANDĺTHEĺMAR TIALĺpĺOCCURS ĺMEDIATEDĺBYĺTHEĺkPULSATINGĺRHYTHMĺOFĺCYMBALĺANDĺSNARElĺ3MITHĺ ĺ ĺINĺTHEĺBLOODYĺWAKEĺOFĺTHEĺMASSACREĺATĺTHEĺAPARTMENTĺBUILDINGĺ!Sĺ THEĺOVERHEADĺCAMERAĺSLOWLYĺTRACKSĺINĺREVERSEĺDOWNĺTHEĺHALLWAY ĺSURVEYINGĺTHEĺ CARNAGEĺTHATĺ4RAVISĺHASĺWROUGHT ĺTHEĺROMANTICĺJAZZĺMELODYĺISĺQUOTED ĺMUSICALLYĺ INTEGRATINGĺTHEĺTHEMESĺOFĺROMANTICĺIDEALISATIONĺANDĺSEXUALISEDĺVIOLENCE 4WOĺkMUSICALlĺSCENESĺPRIMEĺUSĺFORĺTHISĺAPOCALYPTICĺCLIMAXĺ)NĺTHEĺüRST ĺ4RAVIS ĺ AFTERĺ HAVINGĺ SHOTĺ Aĺ BLACKĺ JUNKIEĺ DEADĺ INĺ Aĺ CONVENIENCEĺ STORE ĺ ISĺ SITTINGĺ INĺ HISĺ "RESSONIANĺROOMĺWATCHINGĺ!MERICANĺ"ANDSTANDĺASĺ*ACKSONĺ"ROWNElSĺk,ATEĺFORĺ THEĺ3KYlĺ ĺPLAYSĺONĺTHEĺSOUNDTRACKĺ!ĺPASSINGĺSHOTĺOFĺAĺRACIALLYĺMIXEDĺCOU PLE ĺAĺYOUNGĺBLACKĺMALEĺANDĺWHITEĺTEENAGEĺGIRL ĺCOMMENTSĺONĺ4RAVISlSĺISOLATIONĺ

AUDIOVISUALITY IN NEO-MODERNIST NOIR

41

ANDĺDESIREĺFORĺNORMALITYĺASĺWELLĺASĺTHEĺTHEMEĺOFĺMISCEGENATIONĺpĺTRANSPLANTEDĺ FROMĺ4HEĺ3EARCHERSĺ ĺpĺTHATĺISĺTHREADEDĺTHROUGHOUTĺTHEĺüLMĺ)NĺTHEĺSECONDĺ SCENARIO ĺTHEĺSO CALLEDĺk3CARlĺSCENE ĺ)RISĺANDĺ3PORTĺ(ARVEYĺ+EITEL ĺWHOĺCANĺBEĺ SEENĺASĺAĺVERSIONĺOFĺ4HEĺ3EARCHERSlĺRENEGADEĺ)NDIAN ĺ3CAR ĺAREĺTOGETHERĺINĺTHEĺ CANDLE LITĺROOMĺWHEREĺSHEĺTAKESĺHERĺCLIENTSĺANDĺWHEREĺ3PORTĺDOESĺHISĺTHING ĺ SPEAKINGĺ THEĺ DISCOURSEĺ OFĺ MASTERYĺ DISGUISEDĺ ASĺ THEĺ LANGUAGEĺ OFĺ LOVEĺ 3PORTĺ PUTSĺ ONĺ Aĺ RECORDĺ HEĺ HASĺ Aĺ RECORDĺ PLAYERĺ ANDĺ KNOWSĺ HOWĺ TOĺ USEĺ IT ĺ ANDĺ THEĺ DIEGETICĺMUSICĺTHATĺISSUESĺISĺTHEĺROMANTICĺJAZZĺMELODY ĺAĺCUEĺSOĺDISORIENTINGĺASĺ TOĺCONSTITUTEĺAĺFORMĺOFĺDISTANTIATIONĺ)TĺISĺASĺIFĺ4RAVIS ĺWHOMĺWEĺLASTĺSAWĺSITTINGĺ OUTSIDEĺTHEĺAPARTMENTĺBUILDINGĺINĺHISĺCAB ĺGAZINGĺUPĺATĺ)RISlSĺWINDOWĺNOTĺUN LIKEĺTHEĺEARLIER ĺMURDEROUSĺFAREĺINĺHISĺTAXI ĺPLAYEDĺBYĺ3CORSESE ĺISĺNOWĺINSIDE ĺ WATCHINGĺ3PORTĺANDĺ)RISĺSLOW DANCING /Fĺ COURSE ĺ NEITHERĺ THEĺ CLIMACTICĺ MASSACREĺ NORĺ THEĺ kLETTERlĺ SCENEĺ SETĺ INĺ 4RAVISlSĺEMPTYĺROOMĺEFFECTIVELYĺCONCLUDESĺ4AXIĺ$RIVERĺ)NĺFACT ĺINASMUCHĺASĺONEĺ OFĺTHEĺSOURCESĺOFĺINSPIRATIONĺFORĺ3CHRADERlSĺSCREENPLAYĺWASĺ(ARRYĺ#HAPINlSĺk4AXIlĺ  ĺ3CORSESElSĺüLMĺCANĺBEĺSAIDĺTOĺEND ĺHAPPILYĺORĺNOT ĺWITHĺAĺTAXI DRIVERĺPICK INGĺUPĺANĺEX GIRLFRIENDĺ)NĺTHISĺSEQUENCE ĺTHEĺREPRISEĺOFĺTHEĺROMANTICĺSAXOPHONEĺ THEMEĺSEEMSĺTOĺSIGNALĺ4RAVISlSĺSUDDENLYĺHIP ĺHEROICĺSTATUS ĺAĺMETAMORPHOSISĺ SUPPORTEDĺBYĺTHEĺkPOPULARĺURBANĺMYTHĺOFĺTHEĺJAZZĺMUSICIANĺASĺOUTSIDERlĺ"UTLERĺ ĺ  ĺ ,IKEĺ 3AMĺ 3PADEĺ (UMPHREYĺ "OGART ĺ WHOĺ RENOUNCESĺ THEĺ FEMMEĺ FATALE ĺ"RIGIDĺ/l3HAUGHNESSYĺ-ARYĺ!STOR ĺATĺTHEĺENDĺOFĺ4HEĺ-ALTESEĺ&ALCONĺ  ĺ4RAVISĺpĺINĺAĺREVERSALĺASĺSYMMETRICALĺASĺTHEĺTRIUMPHANTĺRETURNĺOFĺk"ETSYlSĺ THEMElĺpĺDOESĺNOTĺRESPONDĺTOĺHERĺINTIMATIONSĺOFĺROMANCE ĺDROPPINGĺHERĺOFFĺLIKEĺ ANYĺOTHERĺFAREĺ4HISĺTIME ĺTHOUGH ĺ4RAVISĺISĺTHEĺONEĺWHOĺDRIVESĺAWAY ĺLEAVINGĺHERĺ STANDINGĺALLĺALONEĺONĺTHEĺSIDEWALKĺASĺHEĺSHOOTSĺBACKĺINTOĺTHEĺBELLYĺOFĺTHEĺNAKEDĺ NIGHT TIMEĺCITY

REFERENCES !LTMAN ĺ2OBERTĺ ĺ!LTMANĺONĺ!LTMAN ĺEDĺ$AVIDĺ4HOMPSONĺ,ONDONĺ&ABERĺANDĺ&ABER !NDERSON ĺ#AROLYNĺ ĺk4HEĺ#ONVERSATIONĺ!Nĺ%XEMPLARĺANDĺ#RITIQUEĺOFĺ3OUNDĺ4ECHNOL OGYl ĺ0OSTSCRIPT ĺ ĺ ĺp "ECK ĺ*AYĺ ĺk#ITINGĺTHEĺ3OUNDĺ4HEĺ#ONVERSATION ĺ"LOWĺ/UT ĺANDĺTHEĺ-YTHOLOGICALĺ /NTOLOGYĺOFĺTHEĺ3OUNDTRACKĺINĺSĺ&ILMl ĺ*OURNALĺOFĺ0OPULARĺ&ILMĺANDĺ4ELEVISION ĺ ĺ  ĺp "UTLER ĺ$AVIDĺ ĺ*AZZĺ.OIRĺ,ISTENINGĺTOĺ-USICĺFROMĺ0HANTOMĺ,ADYĺTOĺ4HEĺ,ASTĺ3EDUC TIONĺ7ESTPORTĺ0RAEGER #LARKE ĺ*AMESĺ ĺ#OPPOLAĺ,ONDONĺ6IRGIN $ARBY ĺ7ILLIAMĺANDĺ*ACKĺ$Uĺ"OISĺ ĺ!MERICANĺ&ILMĺ-USICĺ*EFFERSONĺ-C&ARLAND %ATON ĺ-ICHAELĺ ĺ#HINATOWNĺ,ONDONĺ"RITISHĺ&ILMĺ)NSTITUTE

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'OODWIN ĺ-ICHAELĺANDĺ.AOMIĺ7ISEĺ ĺ/NĺTHEĺ%DGEĺ4HEĺ,IFEĺANDĺ4IMESĺOFĺ&RANCISĺ #OPPOLAĺ.EWĺ9ORKĺ7ILLIAMĺ-ORROW (ICKMAN ĺ2OGERĺ ĺ2EELĺ-USICĺ%XPLORINGĺĺ9EARSĺOFĺ&ILMĺ-USICĺ.EWĺ9ORKĺ.ORTON (IRSCH ĺ&OSTERĺ ĺ$ETOURSĺANDĺ,OSTĺ(IGHWAYSĺ!ĺ-APĺOFĺ.EO .OIRSĺ.EWĺ9ORKĺ,IMELIGHT +EYSAAR ĺ(ELENEĺ ĺ2OBERTĺ!LTMANlSĺ!MERICAĺ.EWĺ9ORKĺ/XFORDĺ5NIVERSITYĺ0RESS 0OLANSKI ĺ2OMANĺ ĺk2ETROSPECTIVEĺ)NTERVIEWSl ĺ#HINATOWN ĺ$6$ ĺ0ARAMOUNT 0ORüRIO ĺ2OBERTĺ ĺkm$ARKĺ*AZZnĺ-USICĺINĺTHEĺ&ILMĺ.OIRl ĺINĺ!LAINĺ3ILVERĺANDĺ*AMESĺ 5RSINIĺEDS ĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺ2EADERĺĺ.EWĺ9ORKĺ,IMELIGHT ĺp 2OSENBAUM ĺ *ONATHANĺ  ĺ k)MPROVISATIONSĺ ANDĺ )NTERACTIONSĺ INĺ !LTMANVILLEl ĺ 3IGHTĺ ĺ 3OUND ĺ ĺp 3CHRADER ĺ0AULĺĺ;= ĺk.OTESĺONĺ&ILMĺ.OIRl ĺINĺ2ĺ"ARTONĺ0ALMERĺED ĺ0ERSPECTIVESĺ ONĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺ.EWĺ9ORKĺ'ĺ+ĺ(ALL ĺp 3ILVER ĺ!LAINĺANDĺ%LIZABETHĺ7ARDĺEDS ĺ ĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺ!Nĺ%NCYCLOPEDICĺ2EFERENCEĺTOĺTHEĺ !MERICANĺ3TYLEĺ7OODSTOCKĺ/VERLOOKĺ0RESSĺ 3MITH ĺ3TEVENĺ ĺ!ĺ(EARTĺATĺ&IRElSĺ#ENTERĺ4HEĺ,IFEĺANDĺ-USICĺOFĺ"ERNARDĺ(ERRMANNĺ ,ONDONĺ5#,ĺ0RESS 3PICER ĺ!NDREWĺ ĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺ(ARLOWĺ0EARSON 4AUBIN ĺ!MYĺ ĺ4AXIĺ$RIVERĺ,ONDONĺ"RITISHĺ&ILMĺ)NSTITUTE

AUDIOVISUALITY IN NEO-MODERNIST NOIR

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3 Paranoia and Nostalgia: Sonic Motifs and Songs in Neo-Noir HELEN HANSON

-UCHĺOFĺTHEĺDRIVEĺANDĺACTIVITYĺOFĺNEO NOIRĺCRITICISMĺHASĺBEENĺTOĺNEGOTIATEĺTHEĺ TENSIONSĺBETWEENĺOLDĺANDĺNEW ĺTRACINGĺNARRATIVE ĺFORMALĺANDĺTHEMATICĺCONTINUI TIESĺANDĺBREAKSĺFORĺEXAMPLE ĺ'ALLAFENTĺ ĺ.EALEĺ ĺ"OULDĺ ĺ3UCHĺ CRITICISMĺHASĺBEENĺMOTIVATEDĺBYĺQUESTIONSĺABOUTĺKEYĺCHARACTERĺTYPESĺFORĺEX AMPLE ĺ'LEDHILLĺA ĺ7ARDĺ ĺANDĺTHEĺSPREADĺOFĺNEWĺARTICULATIONSĺOFĺNOIRĺ ACROSSĺ GENRESĺ ANDĺ MEDIAĺ FORĺ EXAMPLE ĺ %RICKSONĺ  ĺ .AREMOREĺ  ĺ7IL LIAMSĺ ĺ3TYLEĺANDĺMEANINGĺHASĺBEENĺAĺPREDOMINANTĺCONCERN ĺBUTĺONEĺGOV ERNEDĺBYĺVISUALĺAESTHETICSĺFORĺEXAMPLE ĺ0LACEĺĺ0ETERSONĺ ĺ4HEĺPOWERĺOFĺ SPECIüCĺSOUNDĺSTYLESĺHASĺBEENĺMUCHĺLESSĺCOMMONLYĺDISCUSSEDĺANDĺANALYSEDĺINĺ CRITICISMĺOFĺBOTHĺCLASSICĺANDĺNEO NOIRĺSEEĺ(ANSON ĺFORTHCOMING ĺ4HESEĺSOUNDĺ STYLESĺCONTRIBUTEĺTOĺTHEĺPREVAILINGĺüLMICĺMOODĺOFĺANXIETYĺTHATĺFORMSĺAĺCONTINU ITYĺACROSSĺCLASSICĺANDĺNEO NOIRĺpĺFELICITOUSLYĺDESCRIBEDĺBYĺ4ODDĺ%RICKSONĺASĺkTHEĺ COREĺOFĺITSĺEXISTENCEĺTHEĺPRESENCEĺORĺPORTENTĺOFĺCRIMElĺĺ ĺ 4HISĺESSAYĺFOCUSESĺONĺSOUNDĺSTYLESĺINĺTWOĺKEYĺNEO NOIRĺkMOMENTSlĺTOĺSUG GESTĺHOWĺSOUNDĺISĺDEPLOYEDĺTOĺEXPLOREĺDIFFERENTĺMODALITIESĺOFĺANXIETYĺ)TĺMAPSĺ THEĺEMERGENCEĺOFĺDISTINCTIVEĺUSESĺOFĺSOUNDĺANDĺMUSICĺINĺTHEĺSĺCONSPIRACYĺ THRILLER ĺINĺWHICHĺSOUNDĺRECORDINGĺHASĺANĺIMPORTANTĺDIEGETICĺROLEĺINĺARTICULATINGĺ PARANOIAĺ ABOUTĺ SURVEILLANCEĺ )Tĺ THENĺ EXPLORESĺ THEĺ USEĺ OFĺ OLD FASHIONEDĺ SONGSĺ INĺSĺNEO NOIRS ĺASĺPARTĺOFĺSTYLISEDĺNOSTALGICĺGESTURESĺTOĺTHEĺPASTĺ)NĺDOINGĺ SO ĺTHEĺESSAYĺCONSIDERSĺHOWĺSOUNDĺCONTRIBUTESĺTOĺESTABLISHINGĺTWOĺADDITIONALĺ kMOODSlĺINĺNEO NOIRĺPARANOIAĺANDĺNOSTALGIAĺ

Listening in: paranoia in 1970s neo-noir )Fĺ!MERICANĺüLMĺNOIRĺOFĺTHEĺSĺANDĺSĺDARKLYĺMANIFESTEDĺPOSTWARĺANXI ETIES ĺ ALIENATIONĺ ANDĺ DISILLUSIONMENT ĺ THENĺ THEĺ KEYĺ TONEĺ OFĺ ITSĺ REVIVALĺ INĺ THEĺ EARLYĺ Sĺ WASĺ PARANOIAĺ4HEĺ CRIMEĺ üLMĺ WASĺ SHOTĺ THROUGHĺ WITHĺ THEMESĺ OFĺ

44

NEO-NOIR

CONSPIRACYĺINĺNEO NOIRĺTHRILLERS ĺSUCHĺASĺ4HEĺ#ONVERSATIONĺ ĺ4HEĺ0ARALLAXĺ 6IEWĺ ĺ.IGHTĺ-OVESĺ ĺANDĺ!LLĺTHEĺ0RESIDENTlSĺ-ENĺ ĺWHICHĺCEN TREDĺUPONĺTHEĺEXPERIENCEĺOFĺEITHERĺSUSPECTEDĺORĺREALĺCONSPIRACIESĺANDĺUNFOLDEDĺ THROUGHĺ SUSPENSEĺ NARRATIVESĺ INĺ WHICHĺ THEĺ MAINĺ PROTAGONISTSĺ AREĺ INCREASINGLYĺ OVERWHELMEDĺBYĺFACELESSĺINSTITUTIONSĺORĺCORPORATIONS 4HEĺREVIVALĺANDĺREWORKINGĺOFĺüLMĺNOIRĺINĺTHISĺPERIODĺCOINCIDESĺWITHĺAĺCULTURALĺ SOUNDSCAPEĺ HIGHLYĺ ATTUNEDĺ TOĺ LISTENINGĺ "ETWEENĺ THEĺ7ATERGATEĺ BREAK INSĺ INĺ ĺ ANDĺ THEĺ RESIGNATIONĺ OFĺ 0RESIDENTĺ 2ICHARDĺ .IXONĺ INĺ  ĺ THEĺ7ATERGATEĺ SCANDALĺ BROUGHTĺ AUDITORYĺ TECHNOLOGIES ĺ SURVEILLANCE ĺ PRIVACYĺ ANDĺ THEĺ POWERĺ OFĺ POLITICALĺ INSTITUTIONSĺ TOĺ THEĺ FOREFRONTĺ OFĺ PUBLICĺ ATTENTIONĺ!Sĺ *ACQUESĺ!TTALIĺ SUGGESTSĺINĺHISĺWORKĺONĺLISTENINGĺDEVICES ĺkTHEĺTECHNOLOGYĺOFĺLISTENINGĺINĺON ĺ ORDERING ĺ TRANSMITTING ĺ ANDĺ RECORDINGĺ NOISEĺ ISĺ ATĺ THEĺ HEARTĺ OFĺ THISĺ ;RECORDING=ĺ APPARATUSl ĺASKINGĺk7HOĺAMONGĺUSĺISĺFREEĺOFĺTHEĺFEELINGĺTHATĺTHISĺPROCESS ĺTAKENĺ TOĺANĺEXTREME ĺISĺTURNINGĺTHEĺMODERNĺSTATEĺINTOĺAĺGIGANTIC ĺMONOPOLISINGĺNOISEĺ EMITTER ĺANDĺATĺTHEĺSAMEĺTIME ĺAĺGENERALISEDĺEAVESDROPPINGĺDEVICElĺĺ ĺ 4HEĺSĺWASĺALSOĺAĺPERIODĺINĺWHICHĺSOUNDĺTECHNOLOGYĺWASĺRADICALLYĺCHANG INGĺ!Sĺ#HARLESĺ3CHREGERĺNOTEDĺ In 1978, America seems sound obsessed. You can feel the full impact of a symphony or a rock concert in your living room; you can take it with you in your car or in a pocket-sized radio; you can – must– hear it in a dentist’s office or an elevator. You can be transported or anaesthetised by it at the local disco; you can hear a mixed-media simulcast, one track on TV, the other on FM. And you can, of course, buy it on records and tapes. (1978: 34) 3CHREGERĺ HERALDEDĺ THEĺ kSECONDĺ COMINGĺ OFĺ SOUNDlĺ TOĺ üLM ĺ ATTRIBUTINGĺ Aĺ NEWĺ kSOUNDĺCONSCIOUSNESSlĺTOĺDIRECTORSĺSUCHĺASĺ&RANCISĺ&ORDĺ#OPPOLAĺ4HEĺ#ONVERSA TION ĺANDĺ!LANĺ*ĺ0AKULAĺ+LUTEĺ ĺ4HEĺ0ARALLAXĺ6IEWĺANDĺ!LLĺTHEĺ0RESIDENTlSĺ -EN ĺ ASĺ WELLĺ ASĺ -ICHAELĺ #IMINO ĺ 'EORGEĺ ,UCAS ĺ4ERRENCEĺ -ALICKĺ ANDĺ -ARTINĺ 3CORSESEĺpĺDIRECTORSĺWHOĺDEPLOYEDĺNEWĺTECHNOLOGIES ĺSUCHĺASĺTHEĺ$OLBYĺSTEREOĺ OPTICALĺSYSTEMĺIBID ĺ4HEĺDEVELOPMENTĺOFĺ$OLBYĺHASĺCOMEĺTOĺDOMINATEĺDISCUS SIONSĺ OFĺ SOUNDĺ ANDĺ üLMĺ FORMĺ INĺ Sĺ !MERICANĺ CINEMAĺ pĺ INDEED ĺ 'IANLUCAĺ 3ERGIĺCLASSIüESĺTHEĺSĺASĺkTHEĺ$OLBYĺERAlĺĺ ĺ!Sĺ2ICKĺ!LTMANĺARGUES ĺ EVERYĺSOUNDĺRECORDINGĺHASĺAĺkMATERIALĺHETEROGENEITYl ĺAĺSIGNATUREĺBETRAYINGĺTHEĺ SPACEĺANDĺAMBIENCEĺOFĺITSĺRECORDINGĺCONTEXTĺĺ ĺ4HEĺDOMINANTĺPRACTICEĺINĺ MAINSTREAMĺNARRATIVEĺCINEMA ĺHOWEVER ĺISĺTOĺDISGUISEĺORĺELIMINATEĺTHESEĺSPECIüCĺ SIGNATURES ĺSILENCINGĺSOUNDĺWORKĺSOĺTHATĺITĺAPPEARSĺSEAMLESSĺSEEĺ$OANEĺĺ p ĺ $OLBYĺ üTSĺ WELLĺ WITHĺ THISĺ DOMINANTĺ PRACTICE ĺ ELIMINATINGĺ THEĺ MEDIATIONĺ OFĺRECORDINGĺINĺPOST PRODUCTION ĺüLMMAKERSĺCANĺREDUCEĺBACKGROUNDĺNOISEĺANDĺ EXPLOITĺGREATERĺCLARITYĺANDĺDENSITYĺINĺTHEIRĺSOUNDĺMIXINGĺINĺPLAYBACK ĺTHEĺSTEREOĺ SOUNDTRACKĺCANĺBEĺCHANNELLEDĺTHROUGHĺkDIRECTIONALlĺSPEAKERSĺINĺCINEMAĺAUDITORIA ĺ CREATINGĺNEWĺEXPERIENCESĺOFĺSONICĺVERISIMILITUDEĺ4HUS ĺ$OLBYĺPRIVILEGESĺSONICĺ CLARITY ĺAIMINGĺTOĺDELIVERĺDISCRETEĺSOUNDSĺDIRECTLYĺTOĺTHEĺEARSĺOFĺTHEĺAUDIENCE

SONIC MOTIFS AND SONGS IN NEO-NOIR

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(OWEVER ĺ kSOUNDĺ CONSCIOUSNESSlĺ MEANSĺ SOMETHINGĺ QUITEĺ DIFFERENTĺ WHENĺ WEĺCONSIDERĺPRE $OLBYĺCONSPIRACYĺTHRILLERS ĺWHICHĺSKILFULLYĺUTILISEĺSOUNDĺTOĺEX PLOREĺANDĺDRAMATISEĺCULTURALĺANDĺPERSONALĺFEARSĺOFĺAUDITORYĺSURVEILLANCEĺ4HEIRĺ AESTHETICĺCHOICESĺCAREFULLYĺBUILDĺANĺINTENSEĺANDĺDISCOMFORTINGĺMOOD ĺINĺWHICHĺ THEREĺISĺANĺINTERACTIONĺOFĺTHEMEĺANDĺFORMĺTHEĺMECHANICSĺOFĺRECORDING ĺMIXINGĺ ANDĺMANIPULATINGĺSOUNDĺAREĺFOREGROUNDED ĺINĺORDERĺTOĺFRAMEĺTHEĺPRESENCEĺANDĺ PROCESSESĺOFĺLISTENINGĺAPPARATUSESĺANDĺTHEIRĺOPERATORSĺ#ONSEQUENTLY ĺAĺRECUR RINGĺTHEMEĺRESONATESĺACROSSĺTHEĺüLMSĺpĺAĺTHEMEĺWHICHĺMIGHTĺBEĺTERMEDĺTHEĺ kUNSOUNDNESSĺ OFĺ SOUNDlĺ )Nĺ THESEĺ WAYS ĺ THEĺ NEO NOIRĺ CONSPIRACYĺ THRILLERSĺ DE PARTĺFROMĺTHEĺDOMINANTĺMAINSTREAMĺPRACTICEĺOFĺSEAMLESSĺSOUND ĺINSTEADĺUSINGĺ SONICĺSIGNATURESĺTHATĺFOREGROUNDĺTHEĺPRESENCEĺOFĺAĺMEDIATINGĺkEARlĺ )NTERVIEWSĺ WITHĺ KEYĺ SOUNDĺ PERSONNELĺ REVEALĺ THISĺ DEPARTUREĺ ASĺ INTEGRALĺ TOĺ THEĺSONICĺINVENTIONĺTHATĺCONTRIBUTESĺTOĺTHEĺARRAYĺOFĺNEO NOIRĺSONOGRAPHYĺ)NĺTHEĺ PRE $OLBYĺERA ĺTHEĺ.AGRAĺTAPEĺRECORDERĺWASĺTHEĺMOSTĺSIGNIüCANTĺAPPARATUSĺINĺ FACILITATINGĺTHESEĺEXPERIMENTALĺPRACTICESĺ4HEĺ.AGRAĺ))) ĺWHICHĺUSEDĺREEL TO REELĺ MAGNETICĺTAPEĺANDĺEASILYĺSYNCHRONISEDĺWITHĺCAMERASĺON SET ĺHADĺBECOMEĺTHEĺ INDUSTRYĺSTANDARDĺBYĺTHEĺEARLYĺSĺSEEĺ-ONACOĺĺp ĺ4HEĺ.AGRAĺWASĺ SMALL ĺLIGHTWEIGHTĺANDĺČEXIBLEĺANDĺALLOWEDĺGOODĺRECORDINGĺüDELITY ĺWHETHERĺITĺ WASĺUSEDĺFORĺLOCATIONĺORĺSTUDIOĺRECORDINGĺ)TSĺCOMBINATIONĺOFĺMOBILITYĺANDĺRELI ABILITYĺISĺREPEATEDLYĺSINGLEDĺOUTĺBYĺSOUNDĺPERSONNELĺINĺDISCUSSIONSĺOFĺTHEIRĺWORKĺ INĺTHEĺEARLYĺSĺ&ORĺEXAMPLE ĺ*ACKĺ3OLOMON ĺSOUNDĺMIXERĺONĺ.IGHTĺ-OVES ĺ REPORTSĺTHATĺTHEĺ.AGRAĺ)))lSĺPORTABILITYĺkREVOLUTIONISEDĺTHEĺBUSINESSlĺINĺ,O"RUTTOĺ ĺ  ĺ #HRISĺ .EWMAN ĺ SOUNDĺ RECORDISTĺ ONĺ +LUTE ĺ STATESĺ HISĺ PREFERENCEĺ FORĺ USINGĺAĺ.AGRAĺTOĺCAPTUREĺkDIRECTĺSOUNDlĺpĺPARTICULARLYĺDIALOGUEĺPERFORMANCEĺpĺONĺ LOCATION ĺ Aĺ FEATUREĺ OFĺ THEĺ TRENDĺ INĺ k%ASTĺ #OASTĺ SOUNDlĺ THATĺ WASĺ TYPICALĺ OFĺ THEĺ MOVEĺ AWAYĺ FROMĺ STUDIOĺ üLMMAKINGĺ BYĺ DIRECTORSĺ INĺ THISĺ PERIODĺ SEEĺ .EWMANĺ ĺ ĺ!NDĺ,ESĺ,AZAROWITZ ĺSOUNDĺMIXERĺONĺ4AXIĺ$RIVERĺ ĺDESCRIBESĺTHEĺ .AGRAĺASĺkMADEĺLIKEĺAĺ2OLEXĺWATCHĺaĺMECHANICALLYĺANDĺELECTRONICALLYĺ;IT=ĺHASĺFAILĺ SAFES ĺBACKĺUPSĺANDĺMETERINGĺANDĺDEVICESĺTOĺTELLĺYOUĺWHENĺTHINGSĺGOĺWRONGlĺINĺ ,O"RUTTOĺĺ ĺ,AZAROWITZlSĺPERSPECTIVEĺISĺTELLING ĺASĺDIRECTĺSOUNDĺISĺTHEĺ MOSTĺDIFüCULTĺELEMENTĺTOĺCAPTUREĺONĺLOCATIONĺ4HEĺ.AGRAĺPERMITTEDĺTHEĺGREATESTĺ CONTROLĺFORĺSOUNDĺPERSONNELĺWORKINGĺONĺTHEĺCOMPLEXĺSET UPSĺONĺüLMSĺSUCHĺASĺ +LUTE ĺ 4HEĺ #ONVERSATIONĺ ANDĺ !LLĺ THEĺ 0RESIDENTlSĺ -EN ĺ ALLOWINGĺ DIRECTĺ SOUNDSĺ TOĺBEĺREINTEGRATEDĺINĺAĺSOUNDTRACKĺTHATĺEXPRESSESĺTHEĺAURALĺAMBIVALENCEĺOFĺTHEĺ CONSPIRACYĺ THRILLERĺ &ORĺ EXAMPLE ĺ7ALTERĺ -URCHlSĺ OPENINGĺ SOUND MONTAGEĺ FORĺ 4HEĺ#ONVERSATIONĺACHIEVESĺAĺREMARKABLEĺMEDLEYĺOFĺSOUNDĺPERSPECTIVES ĺOVER LAIDĺBYĺDISTORTIONĺEFFECTS ĺWHICHĺCOMPETEĺFORĺTHEĺAUDIENCElSĺEARĺANDĺCREATEĺAĺ SOUNDTRACKĺDENSEĺWITHĺCONFUSIONĺ 4HEĺ .AGRAĺ üNDSĺ ITSĺ üCTIONALĺ COUNTERPARTSĺ INĺ THEĺ RECORDINGĺ DEVICESĺ OFĺ THEĺ NEO NOIRĺCONSPIRACYĺTHRILLERĺ3UCHĺDEVICESĺAREĺKEYĺOBJECTS ĺORĺSYMBOLICĺPROPS ĺINĺ THESEĺüLMSĺ4HEIRĺDIEGETICĺVISIBILITYĺISĺPARTNEREDĺANDĺUNDERLINEDĺBYĺTHEĺSPECIüCĺ ACOUSTICĺCHARACTERĺGIVENĺTOĺSOUNDSĺBYĺSTRATEGIESĺOFĺSOUNDĺRECORDINGĺANDĺMIX

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INGĺ&ORĺEXAMPLE ĺTHEĺČATTENINGĺOFĺTHEĺSOUNDĺRANGEĺINĺDIEGETICALLYĺRECORDEDĺANDĺ REPLAYEDĺVOICES ĺTHEĺADDITIONĺOFĺREVERBERATION ĺORĺTHEĺPRESENCEĺOFĺMECHANICALĺ DISTORTIONĺALLĺDERIVEĺFROMĺPURPOSEFULĺSTYLISTICĺDECISIONSĺTOĺCREATEĺAĺMOODĺOFĺPARA NOIAĺ4HEĺACOUSTICĺCHARACTERĺOFĺTHEĺCONSPIRACYĺTHRILLERĺISĺREPLETEĺWITHĺSIGNATURESĺ WHICHĺMARKĺITĺASĺRECORDEDĺORĺMEDIATEDĺBYĺTECHNOLOGIES 4HEĺUSEĺANDĺABUSEĺOFĺRECORDINGĺMEDIAĺAREĺCENTRALĺTOĺ+LUTEĺANDĺ4HEĺ#ONVER SATION ĺBUTĺANXIETIESĺABOUTĺTHEĺPOWERĺOFĺAUDITORYĺDEVICESĺALSOĺRECURĺMOREĺWIDELYĺ INĺTHRILLERSĺSUCHĺASĺ4HEĺ0ARALLAXĺ6IEW ĺ.IGHTĺ-OVESĺANDĺ!LLĺTHEĺ0RESIDENTlSĺ-ENĺ .EO NOIRĺCONSPIRACYĺTHRILLERSĺAREĺFULLĺOFĺSCENARIOSĺWHEREĺCOMMUNICATIONĺMEDIAĺ AREĺ INTERCEPTEDĺ ORĺ INTERRUPTEDĺ )Nĺ THESEĺ üLMS ĺ COMMUNICATIONSĺ NETWORKSĺ AREĺ INTEGRALĺTOĺPLOTĺDEVELOPMENTĺ4HEĺPROTAGONISTSĺAREĺREPEATEDLYĺDISCOMüTEDĺBYĺAĺ SENSEĺTHATĺTHEĺCOMMUNICATIONĺOFĺKNOWLEDGEĺISĺOPENĺANDĺLEAKYĺ4HEĺTECHNOLOGIESĺ OFĺCONTEMPORARYĺOFüCEĺCOMMUNICATIONSĺpĺTELEPHONEĺLINES ĺTELEPHONEĺANSWER INGĺ MACHINES ĺ TAPEĺ RECORDERS ĺ TELETYPEĺ MACHINESĺ pĺ AREĺ PARTĺ OFĺ THEĺ APPARATUSĺ THROUGHĺWHICHĺCHARACTERSĺINTUITĺANDĺPROGRESSĺINVESTIGATIONSĺINTOĺEACHĺNARRATIVElSĺ ENIGMATICĺCONSPIRACYĺ"UTĺTHESEĺTECHNOLOGIESĺAREĺSIMULTANEOUSLYĺANDĺANXIOUSLYĺ OPENĺTOĺMANIPULATIONĺPUTTINGĺANĺINTENSEĺFOCUSĺONĺTHEĺACTIVITYĺOFĺLISTENINGĺANDĺ INTERPRETATIONĺ)TĺISĺTHEĺMANIPULATIONĺOFĺTHEĺVOICEĺTHROUGHĺDIEGETICĺRECORDING ĺANDĺ ITSĺRECEPTIONĺTHROUGHĺDIEGETICĺREPLAY ĺTHATĺCONSTITUTESĺONEĺOFĺTHEĺMOSTĺPOWERFULĺ WAYSĺTHATĺTHEĺCONSPIRACYĺTHRILLERĺCONSTRUCTSĺANDĺEXPLORESĺAURALĺAMBIVALENCEĺ4HISĺ SUGGESTSĺAĺSHIFTĺINĺTHEĺSTATUS ĺANDĺUSES ĺOFĺTHEĺCINEMATICĺVOICEĺ#LASSICĺERAĺNOIRS ĺ SUCHĺASĺ$OUBLEĺ)NDEMNITYĺ ĺ'ILDAĺ ĺANDĺ4HEĺ0OSTMANĺ!LWAYSĺ2INGSĺ 4WICEĺ ĺDEPLOYĺMALEĺVOICE OVERĺASĺAĺCENTRALĺNARRATIONALĺDEVICEĺ!Sĺ+ARENĺ (OLLINGERĺARGUES ĺMALEĺVOICE OVERĺCANĺPRESENTĺkAĺPOINTĺOFĺRESISTANCElĺĺ ĺ ARTICULATINGĺNOIRlSĺPERPLEXINGĺGENDERĺDYNAMICSĺINĺWAYSĺTHATĺUNDERMINEĺTHEĺSE CURITYĺ OFĺ MALEĺ SUBJECTIVITY ĺ ORĺ OFFERĺ CONFESSIONSĺ WHICHĺ PLACEĺ MALEĺ CHARACTERSĺ ONĺTHEĺWRONGĺSIDEĺOFĺTHEĺLAWĺ7HILEĺCLASSICĺERAĺNOIRĺHASĺOFFEREDĺCRITICSĺWAYSĺOFĺ PRODUCTIVELYĺkREADINGĺAGAINSTĺTHEĺ;IDEOLOGICAL=ĺGRAINlĺSEEĺ+APLANĺĺpĺ'LE DHILLĺAĺp ĺTHEĺFORMALĺLOCATIONĺOFĺANXIETIESĺABOUTĺTHEĺVOICEĺINĺSĺCON SPIRACYĺTHRILLERSĺISĺDIFFERENTĺ)NCORPORATINGĺVOCALĺAMBIVALENCEĺWITHINĺTHEĺDIEGESISĺ THEĺSĺCONSPIRACYĺTHRILLERSĺWITHDRAWĺCONüDENCEĺINĺNON DIEGETICĺNARRATIONALĺ POSITIONSĺOUTSIDEĺTHEĺTEXTĺTOĺCREATEĺAĺSOUNDSCAPEĺWHEREĺINTERPRETIVEĺDIFüCULTIESĺ AREĺLOCATEDĺINĺAĺCULTUREĺREPLETEĺWITHĺPARANOIAĺABOUTĺAUDITORYĺTECHNOLOGIESĺ+LUTEĺ PROVIDESĺAĺVALUABLEĺOPPORTUNITYĺTOĺLOOKĺATĺTHESEĺISSUESĺINĺMOREĺDETAILĺ 4HEĺ CREDITSĺ SEQUENCEĺ OFĺ +LUTEĺ FEATURESĺ Aĺ SMALLĺ REEL TO REELĺ TAPEĺ RECORDERĺ REPLAYINGĺTHEĺVOICEĺOFĺSEX WORKERĺ"REEĺ$ANIELSĺ*ANEĺ&ONDA ĺASĺSHEĺNEGOTIATESĺ WITHĺ Aĺ CLIENT ĺ SETTINGĺ THEĺ TERMSĺ OFĺ THEIRĺ INTERACTIONĺ ANDĺ ESTABLISHINGĺ THEĺ COM MERCEĺOFĺDESIREĺ4HEĺOPENINGĺQUESTIONĺOFĺ+LUTEĺIS ĺWHATĺWASĺTHEĺRELATIONSHIPĺOFĺ THEĺMISSINGĺFAMILYĺMANĺ4OMĺ'RUNEMANĺ2OBERTĺ-ILLI ĺTOĺ"REEĺ4HISĺISĺTHEĺENIGMAĺ THATĺTHEĺINVESTIGATIVEĺPROTAGONIST ĺ*OHNĺ+LUTEĺ$ONALDĺ3UTHERLAND ĺMUSTĺUNRAVELĺ AND ĺINĺTHISĺSENSE ĺTHEĺOPENINGĺPLOTĺELEMENTSĺSUGGESTĺCONNECTIONSĺWITHĺEARLIERĺ NOIRĺ üLMSĺ &ORĺ EXAMPLE ĺ $EADĺ 2ECKONINGĺ  ĺ REVOLVESĺ AROUNDĺ WARĺ VETERANĺ

SONIC MOTIFS AND SONGS IN NEO-NOIR

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2IPĺ-URDOCKlSĺ(UMPHREYĺ"OGART ĺSEARCHĺINTOĺTHEĺPASTĺOFĺHISĺMISSINGĺCOMRADEĺ INĺARMS ĺ*OHNNYĺ7ILLIAMĺ$RAKE ĺAĺSEARCHĺTHATĺLEADSĺHIMĺTOĺ*OHNNYlSĺGIRLFRIEND ĺ NIGHTCLUBĺSINGERĺk$USTYlĺ#HANDLERĺ,IZABETHĺ3COTT ĺ,IKEĺ2IP ĺ+LUTElSĺINVESTIGATIONĺ ISĺPERSONALLYĺMOTIVATEDĺpĺNEITHERĺCHARACTERĺISĺAĺMEMBERĺOFĺTHEĺPOLICEĺFORCEĺpĺAND ĺ LIKEĺ2IP ĺ+LUTEĺBECOMESĺROMANTICALLYĺENTANGLEDĺWITHĺTHEĺWOMANĺTHATĺTHEĺüLMĺ SEEMSĺTOĺPLACEĺATĺTHEĺCENTREĺOFĺTHEĺMYSTERYĺ"UTĺHEREĺTHEĺECHOESĺENDĺ#HRISTINEĺ 'LEDHILLĺARGUESĺTHATĺ+LUTEĺINVOKESĺBOTHĺOLDĺGENERICĺPATTERNSĺOFĺTHEĺTHRILLERĺFEMALEĺ SEXUALĺ MISCONDUCTĺ ASĺ THEĺ CENTREĺ OFĺ Aĺ MALEĺ INVESTIGATEDĺ ENIGMA ĺ ANDĺ Aĺ NEWĺ kMODERNITYĺANDĺSERIOUSNESSĺOFĺTHEME ĺLINKINGĺPROSTITUTION ĺPSYCHOTHERAPYĺANDĺ THEĺPROBLEMĺOFĺWOMEN ĺ;THAT=ĺPLACESĺITĺWITHINĺAĺHUMANISTĺREALISTĺTRADITIONĺOFĺ%URO PEANĺARTĺCINEMAlĺAĺ ĺ4HEĺüLMlSĺTREATMENTĺOFĺ"REEĺHASĺBEENĺAĺSIGNIüCANTĺ REFERENCEĺPOINTĺINĺGENREĺDEBATES ĺSPECIüCALLYĺASĺTHEYĺRELATEĺTOĺTHEĺREPRESENTA TIONĺOFĺGENDERĺSEEĺ'IDDISĺĺ'LEDHILLĺAĺANDĺB ĺ"REElSĺSTATUSĺISĺCOM PLEXĺ!SĺBOTHĺDIEGETICĺCHARACTERĺANDĺGENDEREDĺREPRESENTATIVEĺOFĺANĺEMERGENTĺ FEMINISTĺCRITICALĺPRACTICEĺWORKINGĺWITHINĺTHEĺIDEOLOGICALĺSTRUCTURESĺOFĺGENRE ĺSHEĺ ARTICULATESĺAĺSETĺOFĺRESONANTĺQUESTIONSĺWHATĺISĺTHEĺSTATUSĺOFĺTHEĺFEMALEĺVOICEĺ ANDĺGENDEREDĺNARRATIONĺINĺTHEĺüLMlSĺDISCOURSEĺ!SĺBOTHĺ'IDDISĺANDĺ'LEDHILLĺNOTE ĺ THEĺNARRATIONĺOFĺ+LUTEĺISĺFRACTUREDĺ4HEĺAUDIENCEĺISĺOFFEREDĺTHEĺPROCESSĺOFĺ+LUTElSĺ INVESTIGATION ĺASĺWELLĺASĺSEQUENCESĺOFĺTHEĺüLMĺWHICHĺOFFERĺGLIMPSESĺINTOĺ"REElSĺ INTERIORITYĺ4HESEĺGLIMPSES ĺTHOUGH ĺPURPOSEFULLYĺCONSTRUCTĺAMBIVALENCEĺ3CENESĺ THATĺOFFERĺTHEĺAUDIENCEĺACCESSĺTOĺPRIVATEĺMOMENTSĺpĺ"REEĺFEEDINGĺHERĺCAT ĺAT TENDINGĺAĺMODELLINGĺAUDITION ĺATĺPSYCHOTHERAPYĺSESSIONSĺpĺAREĺMIXEDĺWITHĺSOUNDĺ SEQUENCESĺACOUSTICALLYĺANDĺOMINOUSLYĺFRAMEDĺBYĺSURVEILLANCE 3TYLISTICĺMANIPULATIONSĺOFĺSOUNDĺAREĺCENTRALĺTOĺTHEĺAWARENESSĺTHATĺ"REEĺISĺ BEINGĺ WATCHEDĺ ANDĺ LISTENEDĺ TOĺ 3PECIüCĺ SONICĺ EFFECTSĺ ANDĺ MOTIFSĺ BETRAYĺ THEĺ MEDIATINGĺPRESENCEĺOFĺRECORDINGĺAPPARATUSĺANDĺTHEĺINTERCEPTINGĺPRESENCEĺOFĺAĺ LISTENERĺ!ĺSCENICĺSHIFTĺFROMĺ"REEĺTALKINGĺFREELYĺTOĺHERĺPSYCHOTHERAPIST ĺTOĺ"REEĺ TALKINGĺONĺTHEĺTELEPHONEĺTOĺONEĺOFĺHERĺREGULARĺCLIENTS ĺILLUSTRATESĺTHEĺüLMlSĺPLAYĺ WITHĺTHEMESĺOFĺPUBLICĺANDĺPRIVATEĺTHROUGHĺSOUNDĺk)TlSĺSILLYĺTOĺTHINKĺTHATĺANYONEĺ CANĺHELPĺANYONEĺELSE lĺSAYSĺ"REE ĺHERĺDIALOGUEĺFORMINGĺAĺSOUNDĺBRIDGEĺFROMĺTHEĺ EVENLY LITĺINTERIORĺOFĺTHEĺPSYCHOTHERAPISTlSĺOFüCEĺTOĺTHEĺNIGHT TIMEĺSTREETĺOUTSIDEĺ HERĺAPARTMENTĺ"OTHĺIMAGEĺANDĺSONICĺFRAMINGĺUNDERLINEĺCONTRASTSĺINĺTHEĺSCENEĺ SHIFTĺ)NĺTHEĺOFüCE ĺ"REEĺISĺFRAMEDĺINĺMEDIUMĺCLOSE UPSĺANDĺTHEĺRECORDINGĺANDĺ MIXINGĺOFĺHERĺVOICEĺISĺEVENĺANDĺTRANSPARENTĺ!SĺHERĺDIALOGUEĺBRIDGESĺTHEĺTRANSI TION ĺHERĺVOICEĺTHEĺTRACEĺFROMĺONEĺLOCATION ĺISĺLAIDĺOVERĺAĺNEWĺSPACEĺSUGGESTEDĺ BYĺ LOWĺ VOLUMEĺ URBANĺ AMBIENTĺ EFFECTSĺ FAINTĺ CARĺ HORNSĺ ANDĺ THEĺ GENERICĺ MOTIFĺ OFĺ CITYĺ SPACEĺ Aĺ LOWĺ RUMBLE ĺ !ĺ LONGĺ EXTERIORĺ SHOTĺ OFĺ "REElSĺ BUILDINGĺ SHOWSĺ HERĺ OUTLINEDĺ BYĺ HERĺ WINDOWĺ SPACEĺ ANDĺ Aĺ TILTĺDOWNĺREVEALSĺ+LUTEĺINĺTHEĺBASE MENTĺLISTENINGĺINĺTOĺHERĺTELEPHONEĺCONVERSATIONĺ2EVERBERATIONĺANDĺAĺČATTENEDĺ DYNAMICĺRANGEĺFORMĺTHEĺAUDITORYĺFRAMESĺSIGNALLINGĺTHEĺINTERCEPTIONĺOFĺ"REElSĺ CONVERSATION ĺPARTNEREDĺBYĺSHOTSĺESTABLISHINGĺ+LUTElSĺLOCATIONĺANDĺHISĺLISTENINGĺ APPARATUSĺTHEĺSLOWLYĺREVOLVINGĺREELSĺOFĺAĺTAPEĺRECORDERĺ

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You never know who’s listening: Klute

)NĺTHISĺWAY ĺTHEĺEDITINGĺSTRUCTURESĺOFĺTHEĺSEQUENCEĺANDĺTHEĺMIXINGĺANDĺSTYL INGĺ OFĺ THEĺ SOUNDĺ PUTĺ THEĺ ACTĺ OFĺ SURVEILLANCEĺ CENTRALLYĺ INĺ THEĺ SCENEĺ 3URVEIL LANCEĺ ISĺ FURTHERĺ UNDERLINEDĺ ASĺ +LUTEĺ FOLLOWSĺ "REEĺ TOĺ ANĺ ASSIGNATIONĺ WITHĺ ONEĺ OFĺ HERĺ REGULARĺ CLIENTS ĺ THEĺ ELDERLYĺ ANDĺ SYMPATHETICALLY SKETCHEDĺ -Rĺ 'OLDFARBĺ -ORRISĺ 3TRASSBERG ĺ !Sĺ "REE ĺ RESPLENDENTĺ INĺ Aĺ SEQUINNEDĺ GOWNĺ ANDĺ FEATHERĺ BOA ĺWEAVESĺAĺFANTASYĺSCENARIOĺFORĺ'OLDFARBĺOFĺHERĺüCTIVEĺSEXUALĺADVENTURES ĺ THEĺCAMERAĺPULLSĺBACKĺTOĺSHOWĺ+LUTEĺHIDINGĺINĺTHEĺSHADOWSĺANDĺLOOKINGĺONĺ"UTĺ WHENĺ"REEĺRETURNSĺTOĺHERĺAPARTMENT ĺWHEREĺ+LUTEĺISĺWAITINGĺFORĺHER ĺHISĺCONTROLĺ OFĺTHEĺINVESTIGATIONĺISĺBRACKETEDĺBYĺAĺFRAMINGĺCAMERAĺPOSITIONĺTHATĺREVEALSĺTHEĺ OBSERVINGĺPRESENCEĺOFĺAĺTHIRDĺPARTY ĺ0ETERĺ#ABLEĺ#HARLESĺ#IOFü ĺ 4HEĺSINISTERĺINTENTĺOFĺ#ABLElSĺPRESENCEĺISĺRENDEREDĺBYĺ-ICHAELĺ3MALLlSĺEX TREMELYĺDISTINCTIVEĺMUSICĺ4HEĺSCOREĺFORMSĺPARTĺOFĺAĺCHORUSĺOFĺDISSONANTĺAUDI TORYĺEFFECTSĺINĺTHEĺüLMĺTHATĺINCLUDEĺUSES ĺANDĺABUSES ĺOFĺTHEĺVOICEĺ3MALLĺSTRUC TURESĺTHEĺSCOREĺWITHĺSPAREĺANDĺDISCIPLINEDĺINSTRUMENTATION ĺNOTABLYĺKEYBOARDSĺ ELECTRICĺPIANOĺANDĺPREPAREDĺPIANO ĺWITHĺGUITARSĺANDĺSTRINGSĺVIOLIN ĺVIOLA ĺCELLOĺ ANDĺBASS ĺANDĺSPIKESĺITĺWITHĺUNUSUALĺPERCUSSIONĺANDĺMOMENTSĺTHATĺWEAVEĺINĺ FEMALEĺVOCALĺELEMENTSĺSEEĺ2ENICKĺĺp ĺ+LUTEĺWASĺ3MALLlSĺüRSTĺMAJORĺ ASSIGNMENTĺ AND ĺ INĺ INTERVIEWS ĺ HEĺ DESCRIBESĺ HISĺ APPROACHĺ k)ĺ WOULDĺ CONSIDERĺ +LUTEĺASĺAĺTHRILLERĺSCOREĺTHATĺHASĺAĺPSYCHOLOGICALĺOVERLAYĺBECAUSEĺITĺREALLYĺDEPICTSĺ THEĺINNERĺWORKINGSĺOFĺAĺCHARACTERĺALONGĺWITHĺSUSPENSEĺELEMENTSĺOFĺTHEĺGENREĺ )TlSĺREALLYĺSCORINGĺ"REEĺ$ANIELSlĺINNERĺLIFElĺINĺ+OPPLĺĺ ĺ3MALLĺDESIGNEDĺ THEĺSCOREĺTOĺINDICATEĺTHEĺPRESENCEĺOFĺTHEĺMURDERER ĺ#ABLE ĺBUTĺALSOĺUSEDĺFEMALEĺ VOCALĺELEMENTSĺASĺPARTĺOFĺkTHEĺSIRENĺCALLĺTHEMElĺWHICHĺSUGGESTĺWHATĺHEĺCALLSĺ "REElSĺkOBSESSIONĺWITHĺCONTROLĺANDĺSEDUCTIONlĺIBID ĺ0AKULAĺSIMILARLYĺDESCRIBESĺ THEĺTHEMEĺASĺEXPRESSINGĺ"REElSĺkSICKĺCALLING ĺAĺTHINGĺWITHINĺHERSELFĺWASĺPULLINGĺ HERĺTOĺHERĺOWNĺDESTRUCTIONlĺIBID  4HISĺMAYĺWELLĺBEĺTRUE ĺBUTĺIFĺ"REEĺISĺSUSCEPTIBLEĺTOĺAĺkSICKĺCALLINGlĺTHENĺSOĺISĺ THEĺMURDERER ĺ0ETERĺ#ABLE ĺASĺHEĺATTEMPTSĺTOĺCONTROL ĺCAPTUREĺANDĺMANIPULATEĺ THEĺVOICESĺOFĺTHEĺCALLĺGIRLSĺWITHĺWHOMĺHEĺISĺOBSESSEDĺ#ABLEĺTORMENTSĺ"REEĺWITHĺ PHONEĺCALLS ĺATĺüRSTĺREMAININGĺSILENT ĺTHENĺINĺLATERĺCALLSĺREPLAYINGĺAĺTAPEĺOFĺ"REElSĺ

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CONVERSATIONĺWITHĺAĺCLIENTĺTOĺHERĺ&INALLYĺHEĺCORNERSĺ"REEĺATĺAĺDESERTEDĺGARMENTĺ WAREHOUSEĺANDĺFORCESĺHERĺTOĺLISTENĺTOĺAĺRECORDINGĺOFĺTHEĺAWFULĺSCREAMSĺOFĺ!RLYNĺ 0AGElSĺ$OROTHYĺ4RISTAN ĺMURDERĺ4HISĺISĺTHEĺCLIMACTICĺMOMENTĺOFĺTHEĺüLMlSĺSONICĺ MOTIFSĺASĺTHEĺSCOREĺCOMBINESĺWITHĺTHEĺDIEGETICĺREPLAYĺOFĺ#ABLElSĺRECORDEDĺVIO LENCEĺ7HILEĺ"REEĺHERSELFĺISĺSILENT ĺDISCORDANTĺANDĺDISJOINTEDĺPIANOĺüGURESĺWITHĺ THEĺINCREASINGLYĺINSISTENTĺFEMALEĺVOICE ĺASĺTHEĺSCOREĺELEMENTSĺSUGGESTĺ#ABLElSĺ CHAOTICĺMINDSETĺANDĺTHEĺDANGERĺTOĺ"REEĺ4HEĺüNALĺSCENEĺOFĺTHEĺüLM ĺTHOUGH ĺ REFUSESĺ TOĺ RESOLVEĺ THEĺ AMBIGUOUSĺ NARRATIONĺ THATĺ HASĺ BEENĺ THREADEDĺ THROUGH OUTĺ4HEĺ AUDIENCEĺ AREĺ OFFEREDĺ IMAGESĺ OFĺ +LUTEĺ ANDĺ "REEĺ LEAVINGĺ HERĺ EMPTIEDĺ APARTMENTĺ WHILEĺ THEĺ CONCOMITANTĺ SOUNDTRACKĺ OFFERSĺ "REElSĺ VOICE OVER ĺ TELLINGĺ HERĺPSYCHOTHERAPISTĺTHATĺSHEĺISĺNOTĺGOINGĺAWAY 4HEĺ PRESENCEĺ OFĺ #ABLElSĺ TINYĺ REEL TO REELĺ TAPEĺ RECORDERĺ ASĺ Aĺ DISTURBINGĺ DI EGETICĺELEMENTĺOPENSĺUPĺTHEĺISSUEĺOFĺAUDITORYĺMEDIAĺMANIPULATION ĺANĺISSUEĺ WHICHĺECHOESĺACROSSĺAĺNUMBERĺOFĺOTHERĺNEO NOIRĺTHRILLERSĺOFĺTHEĺS ĺMOSTĺ NOTABLYĺ4HEĺ#ONVERSATION ĺINĺWHICHĺSURVEILLANCEĺEXPERTĺ(ARRYĺ#AULĺ'ENEĺ(ACK MAN ĺSTRUGGLES ĺANDĺFAILS ĺTOĺINTERPRETĺTHEĺCORRECTĺMEANINGĺANDĺIMPLICATIONSĺOFĺ AĺCONVERSATIONĺBETWEENĺ-ARKĺ&REDERICĺ&ORREST ĺANDĺ!NNĺ#INDYĺ7ILLIAMS ĺTWOĺ SUBJECTSĺWHOMĺHEĺISĺHIREDĺTOĺBUGĺ!Sĺ$AVIDĺ#OOKĺSUGGESTS ĺk4HEĺ#ONVERSATIONĺ DESCRIBESĺAĺWORLDĺWHEREĺCONSPIRACIESĺAPPEARĺANDĺDISAPPEARĺLIKEĺCOBWEBSĺANDĺ WHEREĺRECORDINGĺMEDIAĺAREĺINHERENTLYĺDUPLICITOUSlĺĺ  4HEĺDUPLICITYĺOFĺTECHNOLOGIESĺISĺALSOĺCENTRALĺTOĺ!LLĺTHEĺ0RESIDENTlSĺ-EN ĺkTHEĺ CENTREPIECEĺOFĺTHEĺCONSPIRACYĺSUBGENRElĺIBID ĺ4HEĺüLMĺOPENSĺWITHĺTHEĺKEYSĺOFĺ AĺTYPEWRITERĺSLAMMINGĺOUTĺk*UNEĺ ĺlĺ4HEĺEXTREMEĺCLOSE UPĺTHATĺFOCUSESĺ THEĺAUDIENCElSĺATTENTIONĺONĺTHEĺPAGEĺISĺPARTNEREDĺBYĺTHEĺSOUNDSĺOFĺTHEĺMACHINEĺ !LLĺTHEĺ0RESIDENTlSĺ-ENĺTHUSĺPUTSĺAĺFOCUSĺONĺTHEĺREALĺHISTORICALĺEVENTS ĺANDĺTHEIRĺ MEDIATION ĺ INĺ Aĺ WAYĺ THATĺ ISĺ APPROPRIATEĺ TOĺ ITSĺ MIXTUREĺ OFĺ NOIRĺ ANDĺ SEMI DOCU MENTARYĺSTYLEĺ4HEĺüLMlSĺMAINĺNARRATIVEĺFOCUSĺpĺTHEĺINVESTIGATIONĺOFĺ7ASHING TONĺ0OSTĺREPORTERSĺ#ARLĺ"ERNSTEINĺ$USTINĺ(OFFMAN ĺANDĺ"OBĺ7OODWARDĺ2OBERTĺ 2EDFORD ĺINTOĺTHEĺ7ATERGATEĺCOVER UPĺANDĺITSĺPOLITICALĺIMPLICATIONSĺpĺSPREADSĺITSĺ EVENTSĺ ACROSSĺ CONTRASTINGĺ LOCATIONSĺ4HEĺ BRIGHTLY LITĺ 7ASHINGTONĺ 0OSTĺ OFüCES ĺ FREQUENTLYĺFRAMEDĺINĺLOW ANGLEĺLONGĺSHOTSĺTHATĺSTRESSĺTHEĺEXTENTĺOFĺTHEĺSPACE ĺ AREĺSETĺAGAINSTĺAĺRANGEĺOFĺDISTANTĺANDĺDISPARATEĺLOCATIONSĺANDĺINFORMANTS ĺTHATĺ "ERNSTEINĺANDĺ7OODWARDĺMUSTĺTRYĺTOĺMAPĺINĺTHEĺCOURSEĺOFĺTHEIRĺINQUIRYĺ!ĺRECUR RINGĺANDĺCENTRALĺLOCUSĺINĺTHEIRĺQUESTĺAREĺTHEIRĺOFüCEĺTELEPHONES %ARLYĺ INĺ THEĺ üLM ĺ Aĺ SEQUENCEĺ SHOWSĺ7OODWARDĺ PURSUINGĺ Aĺ POLICEĺ TIP OFFĺ ABOUTĺTHEĺ7ATERGATEĺ(OTELĺBREAK INĺ(OWARDĺ(UNTlSĺNAMEĺHASĺBEENĺFOUNDĺINĺ THEĺADDRESSĺBOOKĺOFĺONEĺOFĺTHEĺBURGLARSĺ!ĺMONTAGEĺOFĺCLOSE UPSĺOFĺ7OODWARDĺ ANDĺTHEĺPADĺTHATĺHEĺWRITESĺINĺANDĺDOODLESĺON ĺANDĺANĺAUDITORYĺMIXĺOFĺTELEPHONEĺ CONVERSATIONĺ FRAGMENTSĺ SHOWĺ HIMĺ ESTABLISHINGĺ Aĺ LINKĺ BETWEENĺ (UNTĺ ANDĺ THEĺ 7HITEĺ(OUSEĺ4HEĺSOUNDĺMIXINGĺPUTSĺ7OODWARDlSĺVOICEĺTOĺTHEĺFORE ĺANDĺADDSĺ REVERBĺTOĺTHEĺCONTACTSĺHEĺPURSUES ĺWHILEĺTHEĺSONICĺBACKGROUNDĺISĺALIVEĺWITHĺTHEĺ SOUNDSĺOFĺTHEĺLARGE ĺBUSYĺOFüCEĺpĺTELEPHONESĺRING ĺTELETYPEĺMACHINESĺANDĺTYPE

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Alone in the web: The Parallax View

WRITERSĺ RATTLEĺ !RTĺ 0IANTADOSIĺ RE RECORDINGĺ MIXERĺ ONĺ !LLĺ THEĺ 0RESIDENTlSĺ -EN ĺ RELATESĺTHATĺ0AKULAĺGOTĺHISĺSOUNDĺCREWĺTOĺWORKĺHARDĺONĺCREATINGĺTHEĺAMBIENCEĺ OFĺTHEĺBUSYĺNEWSROOMĺDEALINGĺWITHĺMULTIPLEĺINPUTSĺOFĺINFORMATIONĺ(EĺRECALLSĺ 0AKULAĺSAYINGĺk)ĺDONlTĺWANTĺITĺQUIETĺ)ĺWANTĺALLĺTHATĺACTIONĺTOĺGOĺONĺ)ĺWANTĺTHEĺ PEOPLEĺTALKINGĺONĺTHEĺPHONE ĺ)ĺWANTĺTHEĺTYPEWRITERS ĺ)ĺWANTĺTHEĺTELETYPESĺGOING ĺ )ĺSEEĺTELEVISIONĺSETSĺSOĺ)ĺWANTĺTHEMĺRUNNINGlĺINĺ,O"RUTTOĺĺ  4HEĺSEQUENCEĺDRAMATISESĺTHEĺINVESTIGATIVEĺPROCESSĺ7OODWARDlSĺACTIVITYĺASĺ AĺLISTENERĺANDĺINTERPRETERĺOFĺBOTHĺTHEĺCONTENTĺANDĺVOCALĺINTONATIONSĺOFĺHISĺCON TACTSĺISĺCRUCIAL ĺWHATĺISĺNOTĺSAIDĺANDĺTHEĺBURRINGĺSOUNDĺOFĺBROKENĺCONNECTIONSĺ WHENĺSOMEĺCONTACTSĺHANGĺUPĺISĺKEYĺ*IMĺ7EBBĺPRODUCTIONĺSOUNDĺMIXERĺONĺTHEĺ üLM ĺRECALLSĺTHATĺAĺDIRECTNESSĺANDĺTENSIONĺWASĺOBTAINEDĺINĺTHEĺSCENEĺBYĺGOINGĺ TOĺ UNUSUALĺ LENGTHSĺ TOĺ RECORDĺ EXCHANGESĺ LIVEĺ ONĺ THEĺ SETĺ 2OBERTĺ 2EDFORDĺ ANDĺ THEĺACTORSĺTHATĺHEĺTALKSĺTOĺINĺTHEĺSCENEĺWEREĺPROVIDEDĺWITHĺEARPHONESĺSOĺEACHĺ HEARDĺANDĺRESPONDEDĺTOĺTHEĺOTHERlSĺLINES ĺRATHERĺTHANĺTHEĺCOMMONĺTECHNIQUEĺOFĺ RECORDINGĺEACHĺSIDEĺOFĺAĺüLMEDĺCONVERSATIONĺANDĺTHENĺREUNITINGĺTHEMĺINĺPOST PRODUCTIONĺ4HISĺ ALLOWEDĺ THEĺ SOUNDĺ CREWĺ TOĺ RECORDĺ OVERLAPPINGĺ DIALOGUEĺ ANDĺ PRESERVEĺTHEĺIMMEDIACYĺOFĺPERFORMANCEĺSEEĺ,O"RUTTOĺĺp ĺ !Sĺ THEIRĺ INVESTIGATIONSĺ PROGRESSĺ 7OODWARDĺ ANDĺ "ERNSTEINĺ THEMSELVESĺ COMEĺUNDERĺSURVEILLANCEĺ!SĺTHEYĺPLANĺTOĺBREAKĺTHEIRĺSTORYĺTHEYĺRESORTĺTOĺTYPINGĺ MESSAGESĺTOĺEACHĺOTHER ĺSEEKINGĺAĺSPACEĺOFĺVISUALISEDĺCOMMUNICATIONĺOUTSIDEĺ AĺLEAKYĺNETWORKĺOFĺTELEPHONESĺTHATĺCOULDĺBEĺINTERCEPTEDĺ,EAKYĺNETWORKSĺALSOĺ FEATUREĺ INĺ 4HEĺ 0ARALLAXĺ6IEW ĺ WHEREĺ NEWSPAPERĺ REPORTERĺ *OEĺ &RADYĺ 7ARRENĺ "EATTY ĺüNDSĺHIMSELFĺINĺOVERĺHISĺHEADĺASĺHEĺTRIESĺTOĺEXPOSEĺTHEĺCOVER UPĺOFĺTHEĺ ASSASSINATIONĺOFĺ3ENATORĺ#ARROLLĺ"ILLĺ*OYCE ĺ(EĺISĺDRAWNĺINTOĺANĺINVESTIGATIONĺ OFĺTHEĺ0ARALLAXĺ#ORPORATION ĺWHICHĺRECRUITSĺASSASSINSĺFORĺSECRETĺASSIGNMENTSĺ &RADYĺCONüDESĺINĺHISĺEDITOR ĺ"ILLĺ2INTELSĺ(UMEĺ#RONYN ĺREPORTINGĺINĺTOĺTHEĺOF üCEĺANSWERINGĺMACHINEĺAFTERĺHEĺFOILSĺAĺPLOTĺTOĺBLOWĺUPĺAĺPLANEĺ3OONĺAFTERĺHEĺ HASĺ LISTENEDĺ TOĺ &RADYlSĺ MESSAGE ĺ 2INTELSĺ ISĺ POISONEDĺ BYĺ Aĺ 0ARALLAXĺ ASSASSINĺ ANDĺ THEĺ TAPEĺ DISAPPEARS ĺ ERASINGĺ THEĺ TRACEĺ OFĺ &RADYlSĺ ACTIONSĺ ANDĺ HISĺ ABILITYĺ TOĺ MARSHALĺ CREDIBLEĺ EVIDENCEĺ WITHĺ WHICHĺ TOĺ EXPOSEĺ THEĺ MACHINATIONSĺ OFĺ THEĺ

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CORPORATIONĺ4HEĺ0ARALLAXĺ6IEWĺWASĺALSOĺSCOREDĺBYĺ-ICHAELĺ3MALL ĺANDĺINCLUDESĺ AĺPOWERFULĺSEQUENCEĺINĺWHICHĺ&RADYĺTASTESĺ0ARALLAXlSĺMANIPULATIVEĺMETHODSĺ 0ARTĺOFĺTHEĺTRAININGĺOFĺWOULD BEĺASSASSINSĺISĺEXPOSUREĺTOĺAĺMONTAGEĺOFĺIMAGESĺ ANDĺCAPTIONSĺACCOMPANIEDĺBYĺWHATĺ3MALLĺCALLSĺkAĺSKEWEREDĺPATRIOTICĺANTHEMlĺ INĺ +OPPLĺ ĺ  ĺ4HEĺ MUSICALĺ STRUCTUREĺ ISĺ GRANDIOSE ĺ REFERENCINGĺ Aĺ ROUS ING ĺ ANTHEMICĺ STYLE ĺ WHILEĺ THEĺ EDITINGĺ OFĺ THEĺ IMAGECAPTIONĺ MIXĺ SPEEDSĺ UPĺ THROUGHĺ THEĺ SEQUENCE ĺ JUXTAPOSINGĺ TERMSĺ LIKEĺ kLOVEl ĺ kDEATHlĺ ANDĺ kMOTHERlĺ TOĺ PROMPTĺCHAOTICĺAFFECTĺINĺTHEĺSUSCEPTIBLEĺVIEWINGĺANDĺLISTENINGĺRECRUITĺ!Sĺ3MALLĺ SUGGESTS ĺk0ERHAPSĺTHEĺCONSPIRACYĺTHRILLERĺGENREĺHASĺASĺITSĺFEAREDĺVILLAINĺNOTĺAĺ SINGLEĺBADĺGUY ĺAĺKILLERĺLURKINGĺINĺAĺDOORWAY ĺBUTĺAĺSTATEĺOFĺMINDĺ4HATĺSTATEĺOFĺ MINDĺCOULDĺINFECTĺANYBODY ĺITĺHASĺSUCHĺAĺUNIVERSALLYĺSEDUCTIVEĺPULLlĺINĺ+OPPLĺ ĺ ĺ 4HEĺ SONICĺ AMBIVALENCEĺ OFĺ THEĺ DIEGESISĺ INĺ Sĺ CONSPIRACYĺ THRILLERSĺ THUSĺ EXPLORESĺTHEĺFEARSĺABOUTĺAĺSECUREĺPLACEĺFROMĺWHICHĺTOĺSPEAK ĺANDĺLISTEN ĺINĺTHEĺ 7ATERGATEĺERAĺ4HEĺCONSPIRACYĺüLMĺREWORKEDĺGENERICĺNOIRĺELEMENTS ĺFOCUSINGĺ PARTICULARLYĺONĺINVESTIGATIVEĺNARRATIVESĺ!Sĺ0ETERĺ,EVĺSUGGESTS ĺkAĺWORLDĺOFĺSHAD OWSĺ ISĺ APPROPRIATEĺ TOĺ Aĺ SITUATIONĺ INĺ WHICHĺ ASSASSINATIONĺ BYĺ UNKNOWNĺ GROUPSĺ FORĺ UNKNOWNĺ REASONSĺ DOMINATESĺ THEĺ BODYĺ POLITIClĺ ĺ  ĺ!Sĺ THEĺ CULTURALĺ LANDSCAPEĺSHIFTEDĺINTOĺTHEĺS ĺNOIRĺCONTINUEDĺTOĺPROVEĺREMARKABLYĺADAPTABLEĺ TOĺNEWĺCONTEXTSĺ)NĺSĺNEO NOIR ĺSONICĺMOTIFS ĺANDĺAESTHETICĺATTITUDESĺTOĺTHEĺ PAST ĺWEREĺREWORKEDĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺNOSTALGICĺUSEĺOFĺSONGĺ4HISĺCONSTITUTEDĺAĺDIF FERENTĺAPPROACHĺTOĺSOUND ĺANDĺOFFEREDĺAUDIENCESĺDIFFERENTĺFORMSĺOFĺNEGOTIATIONĺ OFĺüLMICĺAUDIOVISUALĺCONTENTĺ

‘That Old Feeling’: songs, nostalgia and the replaying of desire in 1980s neo-noir 3TEPHENĺ0RINCEĺARGUESĺTHATĺDEBATESĺABOUTĺüLMĺCONTENTĺINĺTHEĺ2EAGANĺERAĺWEREĺ PARTĺ OFĺ Aĺ kSYMBOLICĺ POLITICSlĺ CHARACTERISEDĺ BYĺkTHEĺWAGINGĺOFĺPOLITICALĺCONČICTSĺ ONĺCULTURALĺTERRAINlĺĺ ĺ(EĺNOTESĺAĺPARTICULARĺFOCUSĺONĺIDENTITYĺPOLITICSĺ THEĺSTATUSĺOFĺTHEĺFAMILY ĺGENDERĺRELATIONSĺANDĺNATIONĺ&ILMSĺOFĺTHISĺPERIODĺHAVEĺ ALSOĺBEENĺINČUENTIALLYĺDISCUSSEDĺBYĺ.OÂLĺ#ARROLLĺANDĺ&REDRICĺ*AMESONĺASĺCHAR ACTERISEDĺBYĺAĺSELF CONSCIOUSĺREFERENTIALITYĺTOĺPASTĺTHEMESĺANDĺFORMSĺ4HEYĺBOTHĺ DISCUSSĺ"ODYĺ(EATĺ ĺASĺEXEMPLARYĺOFĺTHISĺTRENDĺ&ORĺ#ARROLL ĺ"ODYĺ(EATlSĺ GENERICĺ ALLUSIONSĺ TOĺ OLDERĺ FORMSĺ MARKĺ Aĺ MOMENTĺ INĺ CINEMAĺ INĺ WHICHĺ kQUOTA TIONS ĺTHEĺMEMORIALISATIONĺOFĺPASTĺGENRES ĺTHEĺREWORKINGSĺOFĺPASTĺGENRES ĺHOM AGES ĺTHEĺRECREATIONĺOFĺmCLASSICnĺSCENES ĺSHOTS ĺPLOTĺMOTIFS ĺLINESĺOFĺDIALOGUE ĺ THEMES ĺGESTURESĺaĺ;WERE=ĺCRYSTALLISEDĺANDĺCODIüEDlĺĺ ĺ)Nĺ*AMESONlSĺ CONCEPTION ĺTHATĺCODIüCATIONĺISĺPRECISELYĺANĺEMPTYĺONE ĺSITUATEDĺWITHINĺSIGNALSĺ OFĺTHEĺPASTĺTAKENĺOUTĺOFĺHISTORYĺpĺTHATĺIS ĺTHEĺKINDĺOFĺPASTICHEĺTHAT ĺFORĺ*AMESON ĺ TYPIüESĺTHEĺIMITATIVEĺPOSTMODERNĺSTYLE 2ICHARDĺ$YERlSĺWORKĺONĺPASTICHEĺOFFERSĺAĺDIFFERENTĺVIEWPOINTĺ$YERĺARGUESĺ

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FORĺTHEĺRECOGNITIONĺOFĺCOMPLEXĺMOVES ĺANDĺAFFECTS ĺTHATĺCANĺOCCURĺINĺTHEĺLAYER INGĺOFĺPASTĺSTYLESĺWITHINĺCONTEMPORARYĺFORMSĺ2ATHERĺTHANĺJETTISONINGĺPASTICHEĺ ASĺAHISTORICAL ĺHEĺPOINTSĺOUTĺTHATĺINĺTHEĺREMOBILISATIONSĺOFĺREFERENTIALITYĺTHEREĺISĺ THEĺPOSSIBILITYĺOFĺCONTEMPORARYĺFORMSĺBEARINGĺANĺAFFECTIVEĺFREIGHTĺARISINGĺFROMĺ THEĺ DUALĺ MOVEMENTĺ ACROSSĺ BOTHĺ LIKENESSĺ ANDĺ DIFFERENCEĺ )Nĺ HAVINGĺ kEXTREMEĺ CLOSENESSĺWITHĺELEMENTSĺOFĺDISCREPANCYĺANDĺSLIGHTĺDISTORTIONl ĺAĺPASTICHEĺüLMĺ ISĺkVERYĺLIKEĺBUTĺNOTĺQUITElĺTHEĺSAMEĺASĺITSĺANTECEDENTSĺANDĺCANĺkSETĺINĺPLAYĺOURĺ RELATIONSHIPĺTOĺTHEĺPASTlĺĺĺ  0RINCElSĺPERSPECTIVE ĺANDĺ$YERlSĺWORK ĺSUGGESTĺTHAT ĺWITHINĺTHEĺMULTIPLEĺANDĺ REFERENTIALĺ ALLUSIONSĺ THATĺ NEO NOIRSĺ MAKEĺ TOĺ PASTĺ STYLESĺ ANDĺ THEMES ĺ THEREĺ ISĺ MOREĺGOINGĺON ĺMOREĺBEINGĺEXPRESSED ĺTHANĺJUSTĺAĺkFADlĺFORĺTHEĺREPACKAGINGĺOFĺ WHATĺ'EOFFREYĺ/l"RIENĺTERMSĺkAĺPARTICULARĺSHEENlĺĺ ĺ)TĺISĺTHEĺEXPRES SIVEĺANDĺSYMBOLICĺGESTURESĺTHATĺAĺNUMBERĺOFĺNEO NOIRSĺMAKEĺTOWARDSĺTHEĺPAST ĺ PARTICULARLYĺINĺTHEIRĺPLACEMENTĺANDĺUSEĺOFĺSONGS ĺTHATĺ)ĺWANTĺTOĺFOCUSĺUPON ĺWITHĺ AĺSPECIüCĺFOCUSĺONĺGENDERĺPOLITICSĺANDĺTHEIRĺRELATIONĺTOĺNOSTALGIA "ODYĺ(EATĺINAUGURATESĺITSĺCENTRALĺFATALĺATTRACTIONĺBETWEENĺLAWYERĺ.EDĺ2A CINEĺ7ILLIAMĺ(URT ĺANDĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺ-ATTYĺ7ALKERĺ+ATHLEENĺ4URNER ĺBYĺINTRO DUCINGĺHERĺINĺAĺMOMENTĺHEAVILYĺMARKEDĺBYĺFANTASYĺ%ARLYĺINĺTHEĺüLM ĺONĺAĺNIGHTĺ SHIMMERINGĺWITHĺHEAT ĺ.EDĺWALKSĺPASTĺAĺBANDĺPLAYINGĺOLD TIMEĺBIG BANDĺTUNESĺ OUTSIDEĺTOĺSEEĺ-ATTYĺWALKINGĺDOWNĺTHEĺAISLEĺ4HEĺCONTROLLEDĺCOLOURĺPALETTEĺOFĺ THEĺCINEMATOGRAPHYĺMAKESĺ-ATTYĺGLOWĺANDĺČICKER ĺAĺPHANTASMATICĺINCARNATIONĺ OFĺ FEMININEĺ FATALITY ĺ ASĺ THEĺ DIEGETICĺ SONGĺ ADDSĺ FURTHERĺ LAYERSĺ OFĺ ASSOCIATIONĺ k4HATĺ/LDĺ&EELINGlĺpĺAĺĺSONG ĺCOMPOSEDĺBYĺ3AMMYĺ&AINĺWITHĺLYRICSĺBYĺ)RV INGĺ+AHALĺpĺCONSTRUCTSĺTHEĺMOMENTĺASĺBOTHĺNARRATIVELYĺCONTEMPORANEOUSĺANDĺ ALREADYĺMARKEDĺBYĺAĺFEELINGĺOFĺTHEĺPASTĺk)ĺSAWĺYOUĺLASTĺNIGHTĺANDĺGOTĺTHATĺOLDĺ FEELINGĺĺ7HENĺYOUĺCAMEĺINĺSIGHT ĺ)ĺGOTĺTHATĺOLDĺFEELINGĺĺ4HEĺMOMENTĺTHATĺYOUĺ DANCEDĺBY ĺ)ĺFELTĺAĺTHRILLĺĺ!NDĺWHENĺYOUĺCAUGHTĺMYĺEYE ĺMYĺHEARTĺSTOODĺSTILLlĺ4HISĺ ISĺAĺFEELINGĺkASĺOLDĺASĺDESIREĺITSELF ĺBUTĺALSOĺSPECIüCALLYĺAĺFEELINGĺSUGGESTEDĺBYĺ JAZZĺNOIRlĺ$YERĺĺ  )NĺITSĺUSEĺOFĺANĺOLD FASHIONEDĺSONGĺTOĺINAUGURATEĺTHEĺDESIREĺBETWEENĺ.EDĺ ANDĺ-ATTY ĺ"ODYĺ(EATĺISĺDOINGĺMOREĺTHANĺSIMPLYĺSUPPLYINGĺAĺGENERICĺREFERENCEĺ TOĺANĺOLDERĺFORMĺk4HATĺ/LDĺ&EELINGlĺALLOWSĺAĺGESTUREĺTOĺTHEĺPASTĺINĺAĺWAYĺTHATĺ ISĺCRUCIALĺTOĺTHEĺMODALITIESĺOFĺDESIREĺINĺNEO NOIRĺ!ĺNUMBERĺOFĺüLMSĺDEPLOYĺOLDĺ SONGSĺpĺTHATĺISĺSONGSĺWRITTENĺOUTSIDEĺTHEĺTIMEĺFRAMEĺOFĺTHEĺNARRATIVEĺSETTINGĺpĺINĺ ORDERĺTOĺCAPTUREĺAĺSPECIüCĺAFFECTIVEĺČAVOURĺFROMĺTHEĺPASTĺ&ILMSĺSUCHĺASĺ"LUEĺ 6ELVETĺ ĺ3OMEONEĺTOĺ7ATCHĺ/VERĺ-Eĺ ĺANDĺ3EAĺOFĺ,OVEĺ ĺNOTĺ ONLYĺINCLUDE ĺBUTĺALSOĺDRAWĺTHEIRĺTITLESĺFROM ĺOLDĺSONGS ĺ)NĺORDERĺTOĺEXPLOREĺTHEĺ NOSTALGICĺSYMBOLISMĺOFĺSONGĺINĺNEO NOIR ĺ)ĺWANTĺTOĺFOCUSĺUPONĺAĺPARTICULARĺCASEĺ STUDY ĺBUTĺONEĺTHATĺHASĺWIDERĺGENERICĺRESONANCESĺ2IDLEYĺ3COTTlSĺ3OMEONEĺTOĺ 7ATCHĺ/VERĺ-Eĺ4OĺGRASPĺTHEĺOPERATIONĺOFĺTHISĺNOSTALGICĺSYMBOLISMĺWEĺNEEDĺTOĺ BEĺALERTĺTOĺTHEĺSTRUCTURESĺANDĺBACKGROUNDSĺOFĺTHEĺSONGSĺTHEMSELVESĺASĺWELLĺASĺ THEIRĺUSESĺWITHINĺTHEĺüLMS

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4HEĺ SONGSĺ INĺ 3OMEONEĺ TOĺ7ATCHĺ /VERĺ -Eĺ pĺ 'EORGEĺ ANDĺ )RAĺ 'ERSHWINlSĺ k3OMEONEĺ TOĺ 7ATCHĺ /VERĺ -Elĺ  ĺ ANDĺ *EROMEĺ +ERNĺ ANDĺ /TTOĺ (ARBACHlSĺ k3MOKEĺ 'ETSĺ INĺ9OURĺ %YESlĺ  ĺ pĺ HAILĺ FROMĺ THEĺ TRADITIONĺ OFĺ THEĺ !MERICANĺ STANDARDĺSONGĺANDĺWEREĺWRITTENĺDURINGĺTHEĺGOLDENĺAGEĺOFĺ4INĺ0ANĺ!LLEY ĺBYĺSOMEĺ OFĺTHATĺERAlSĺMOSTĺACCOMPLISHEDĺCOMPOSERSĺANDĺLYRICISTSĺ2OBERTĺ&URIAĺPOINTSĺ OUTĺTHATĺ"ROADWAYlSĺSONGWRITERSĺWORKEDĺWITHINĺTHEĺSTRONGĺCONSTRAINTSĺOFĺkTHEĺ STANDARDl Almost every song from the golden age is built upon the same musical pattern of a thirtytwo bar chorus structured in four eight-bar units, usually in an AABA sequence … The formula made songs easy to write: think of a pleasant eight-bar melody, repeat it, shift briefly to another melody for the eight-bar B section, or ‘release,’ then return to the main melody for the final A section. (1990: 130) 4OĺILLUSTRATE ĺTHEĺCHORUSĺOFĺk3OMEONEĺTOĺ7ATCHĺ/VERĺ-ElĺBEGINSĺWITHĺMELODYĺ !ĺk4HERElSĺAĺSOMEBODYĺ)lMĺLONGINGĺTOĺSEEĺĺ)ĺHOPEĺTHATĺSHEĺTURNSĺOUTĺTOĺBEĺĺ 3OMEONEĺTOĺWATCHĺOVERĺMEl ĺREPEATSĺTHISĺMELODYĺWITHĺDIFFERENTĺLYRICSĺk)lMĺAĺ LITTLEĺLAMBĺWHOlSĺLOSTĺINĺTHEĺWOODal ĺTHENĺSHIFTSĺTOĺMELODYĺ"ĺFORĺTHEĺRELEASEĺ k!LTHOUGHĺ HEĺ MAYĺ NOTĺ BEĺ THEĺ MANĺ SOMEĺ GIRLSĺ THINKĺ OFĺ ASĺ HANDSOMEĺ ĺ4Oĺ MYĺ HEARTĺHEĺCARRIESĺTHEĺKEYl ĺBEFOREĺREPEATINGĺMELODYĺ!ĺONEĺMOREĺTIMEĺk7ONlTĺ YOUĺTELLĺHIMĺPLEASEĺTOĺPUTĺONĺSOMEĺSPEEDal ĺ4HEĺLYRICISTSĺHADĺTOĺMATCHĺTHISĺ MELODICĺSTRUCTURE ĺUSUALLYĺINĺüFTYĺTOĺĺWORDSĺ4HEĺTIGHTĺPATTERNINGĺOFĺkSTANDARDlĺ SONGSĺGIVESĺTHEMĺTHEĺCHARACTERISTICĺOFĺEXPRESSINGĺkONEĺMOMENTlSĺFEELINGĺINĺAĺ ČUIDĺSTATEMENTlĺ3HEILAĺ$AVIS ĺQUOTEDĺINĺ&URIAĺĺ ĺ 0ERHAPSĺ ITĺ ISĺ THEĺ STANDARDSlĺ QUALITIESĺ OFĺ DIRECTĺEXPRESSIONĺTHATĺSEESĺTHEMĺ ENDURINGLYĺLINKEDĺWITHĺROMANCEĺ)ANĺ'ARWOODĺSUGGESTSĺTHATĺTHISĺLINKĺISĺBASEDĺ ONĺ kTHEĺ PERCEPTIONĺ THATĺ OLDERĺ SONGSĺ ENGAGEĺ MOREĺ TRANSPARENTLYĺ ANDĺ EXPRES SIVELYĺWITHĺTHEĺIDEAĺOFĺROMANCEĺTHANĺMOREĺMODERN ĺANDĺCYNICAL ĺARTISTICĺTEXTSlĺ ĺ ĺ)Nĺ(OLLYWOODĺCINEMA ĺTHISĺLINKĺISĺMOSTĺCOMMONLYĺASSOCIATEDĺWITHĺ CONTEMPORARYĺROMANTICĺCOMEDYĺ)NĺNEO NOIR ĺHOWEVER ĺTHEĺSTANDARDĺSONGĺPLAYS ĺ ORĺREPLAYS ĺMODESĺOFĺFEELING ĺANDĺCHARACTERĺANDĺAUDIENCEĺINVESTĺINĺTHEMĺDIFFER ENTLYĺ4HEĺNARRATIVEĺSTRUCTURESĺANDĺEVENTSĺOFĺROMANTICĺCOMEDYĺCONSTRUCTĺCERTAINĺ VERISIMILARĺ FEELINGSĺ FORĺ THEĺ DURATIONĺ OFĺ THEĺ üLMĺ LOVEĺ ISĺ TRUE ĺ THEĺ UNIONĺ OFĺ THEĺ COUPLEĺISĺFATED ĺ4HEĺLOVEĺTRIANGLES ĺDANGEROUSĺANDĺFATALLYĺDESTINEDĺDESIRESĺOFĺ NEO NOIRĺ PRODUCEĺ Aĺ DIFFERENTĺ MOOD ĺ BUTĺ DESPITEĺ NEO NOIRlSĺ IMAGEĺ ASĺ CYNICAL ĺ )ĺ THINKĺ ITĺ WOULDĺ BEĺ WRONGĺ TOĺ TERMĺ THISĺ kUNROMANTIClĺ4HEĺ STRATEGICĺ PLACEMENTĺ ANDĺPRESENCEĺOFĺTHEĺSTANDARDĺSONGĺCANĺANDĺDOESĺPRODUCEĺAĺSTRONGĺAFFECTĺBYĺ EXPRESSINGĺFEELINGSĺORĺLONGINGSĺTHATĺITĺISĺNOTĺPOSSIBLE ĺNORĺIDEOLOGICALLYĺPERMIS SIBLE ĺFORĺTHEĺNARRATIVEĺEVENTSĺTOĺFULüLĺ 3OMEONEĺTOĺ7ATCHĺ/VERĺ-EĺOPENSĺWITHĺAĺSEQUENCEĺTHATĺUSESĺITSĺTITLEĺSONGĺ NON DIEGETICALLYĺ ASĺ Aĺ SIGNIüERĺ OFĺ OLD FASHIONEDĺ ROMANCEĺ ANDĺ OLD TIMEĺ URBANĺ GLAMOURĺ4HEĺOPENINGĺCREDITĺSOUNDSĺESTABLISHĺLOCATIONĺANDĺSPATIALĺDIMENSIONĺ

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$ISTANTĺSIRENSĺANDĺTHEĺCITYlSĺGENERICĺTRAFüCĺRUMBLE AND ECHOĺAREĺHEARDĺOVERĺTHEĺ CREDITSĺASĺTHEĺüRSTĺSHOTĺVISUALLYĺESTABLISHESĺAĺ.EWĺ9ORKĺNIGHT TIMEĺSETTINGĺ)TSĺ COMPOSITIONĺCENTRESĺUPONĺTHEĺ#HRYSLERĺBUILDING ĺONEĺOFĺTHEĺCITYlSĺMOSTĺPOTENTĺ CINE ARCHITECTURALĺMETONYMSĺFORĺTHEĺGLAMOURĺOFĺAĺBYGONEĺMODERNĺERAĺ/NĺTHEĺ SOUNDTRACKĺk3OMEONEĺTOĺ7ATCHĺ/VERĺ-ElĺCOMESĺINĺ4HEĺSPECIüCĺVERSION ĺPER FORMEDĺ ANDĺ ARRANGEDĺ BYĺ 3TING ĺ ANDĺ THEĺ USEĺ OFĺ Aĺ CONTEMPORARYĺ PERFORMERĺ TOĺ RENDERĺ ANĺ OLDĺ STANDARDĺ ISĺ PARTĺ OFĺ NEO NOIRlSĺ REARTICULATIONĺ OFĺ OLDERĺ FORMSĺ4HEĺ OPENINGĺTHENĺMOVESĺTHROUGHĺTHREEĺLEISURELYĺAERIALĺSHOTSĺTHATĺTRAVERSEĺTHEĺCITYĺ FROMĺCENTRALĺ-ANHATTANĺACROSSĺTHEĺ1UEENSBOROĺBRIDGEĺTOĺ1UEENS ĺANDĺISĺTIMEDĺ ACCORDINGĺTOĺTHEĺDURATIONĺOFĺTHEĺSONGĺ 4HEĺIMAGEĺANDĺTHEĺSONICĺQUALITIESĺOFĺTHEĺSONGĺPERFORMANCEĺANDĺLYRICĺpĺk3HElSĺ THEĺBIGĺAFFAIRĺ)ĺCANNOTĺFORGETĺĺ4HEĺONLYĺGIRLĺ)ĺEVERĺTHINKĺOFĺWITHĺREGRETlĺpĺWORKĺTO GETHERĺTOĺESTABLISHĺAĺNOSTALGICĺROMANCEĺTOĺTHEĺCITYSCAPE ĺASĺWELLĺASĺDISTINGUISH INGĺTWOĺCONTRASTINGĺAREASĺOFĺ.EWĺ9ORK ĺACROSSĺWHICHĺTHEĺNARRATIVEĺTAKESĺPLACEĺ -ANHATTANĺISĺTHEĺHOMEĺOFĺ#LAIREĺ'REGORYĺ-IMIĺ2OGERS ĺAĺSEDUCTIVE ĺkCLASSYl ĺ INDEPENDENTLYĺWEALTHYĺANDĺCULTUREDĺSOCIALITEĺWHOĺISĺTHEĺMATERIALĺWITNESSĺINĺAĺ MURDERĺCASEĺ1UEENSĺISĺTHEĺDOWN HOMEĺNEIGHBOURHOODĺWHEREĺWORKING CLASSĺ DETECTIVEĺ-IKEĺ+EEGANĺ4OMĺ"ERENGER ĺLIVESĺWITHĺHISĺWIFE ĺTHEĺTOUGH BUT TENDERĺ %LLIEĺ ,ORRAINEĺ "RACCO ĺ ANDĺ SON ĺ4OMMYĺ (ARLEYĺ #ROSS ĺ4HEĺ üLMĺ EXPLOITSĺ THEĺ CONTRASTINGĺPARTSĺOFĺTHEĺCITYĺTOĺENHANCEĺTHEĺDIFFERENCESĺBETWEENĺ#LAIRElSĺANDĺ -IKElSĺSOCIALĺANDĺCLASSĺBACKGROUNDS !FTERĺSHEĺWITNESSESĺTHEĺMURDERĺOFĺHERĺFRIEND ĺ7INĺ-ARKĺ-OSES ĺBYĺVIO LENTĺ ANDĺ WELL CONNECTEDĺ CRIMEĺ BOSSĺ *OEYĺ6ENZAĺ !NDREASĺ +ATSULAS ĺ #LAIREĺ ISĺ FORCEDĺTOĺACCEPTĺROUND THE CLOCKĺPOLICEĺPROTECTIONĺWHILEĺ6ENZAĺISĺSTILLĺATĺLARGEĺ -IKE ĺNEWLYĺPROMOTEDĺTOĺTHEĺRANKĺOFĺDETECTIVE ĺISĺONEĺOFĺTHEĺTEAMĺASSIGNEDĺTOĺ kWATCHĺOVERlĺ#LAIREĺ7HILEĺ#LAIREĺISĺUNDERĺPOLICEĺPROTECTION ĺAĺROMANCEĺDEVELOPSĺ BETWEENĺHERĺANDĺ-IKEĺ4HUSĺTHEĺüLMĺPLAYSĺOUTĺTHEĺFAMILIARĺSCENARIOĺOFĺAĺNOIRISHĺ LOVEĺ TRIANGLEĺ )Tĺ ALSOĺ EXPLOITSĺ THEĺ DIFFERENCESĺ INĺ #LAIREĺ ANDĺ -IKElSĺ SOCIALĺ BACK GROUNDSĺANDĺILLUSTRATESĺHOWĺTHEĺAFFAIRĺENDANGERSĺTHEĺFAMILYĺUNITĺ 3EXUALĺ ATTRACTION ĺ FOLLOWEDĺ BYĺ THEĺ ATTENDANTĺ DANGERSĺ ANDĺ FRACTURINGĺ OFĺ RO MANCE ĺ AREĺ üLTEREDĺ THROUGHĺ THEĺ USEĺ OFĺ STANDARDĺ SONGSĺ WHICHĺ OFFERĺ Aĺ DISTINCTĺ CONTRASTĺ BETWEENĺ THEĺ SIMPLICITYĺ ANDĺ TRANSPARENCYĺ OFĺ CONNECTIONĺ pĺ kONEĺ MO MENTlSĺFEELINGlĺpĺANDĺTHEĺCOMPLEXITYĺOFĺADULTEROUSĺDESIREĺINĺTHEĺüLMlSĺNARRATIVEĺ EVENTSĺ&ORĺEXAMPLE ĺASĺ-IKEĺACCOMPANIESĺ#LAIREĺTOĺAĺRECEPTION ĺTHEIRĺPASSAGEĺ THROUGHĺTHEĺCITYĺISĺOVERLAIDĺNON DIEGETICALLYĺWITHĺAĺLANGUOROUSĺVERSIONĺOFĺ#OLEĺ 0ORTERlSĺk"EGINĺTHEĺ"EGUINElĺ ĺ4HEĺLYRICSĺPLAYFULLYĺFOREGROUNDĺTHEĺROMANTICĺ EFFECTĺOFĺMUSICĺpĺk7HENĺTHEYĺBEGINĺTHEĺBEGUINEĺĺ)TĺBRINGSĺBACKĺTHEĺSOUNDĺOFĺ MUSICĺSOĺTENDERaĺĺ)lMĺWITHĺYOUĺONCEĺMOREĺUNDERĺTHEĺSTARSlĺpĺTHATĺISĺPLAYEDĺ OUTĺAĺFEWĺSCENESĺLATERĺ4HEĺNIGHTĺBEFOREĺ#LAIREĺISĺDUEĺTOĺIDENTIFYĺ6ENZAĺINĺAĺPO LICEĺLINE UP ĺSHEĺINVITESĺ-IKEĺTOĺCELEBRATEĺTHEĺENDĺOFĺHERĺORDEALĺ!SĺTHEYĺDRINKĺ COCKTAILSĺANDĺTRADEĺCONüDENCES ĺAĺSENSUOUSĺINSTRUMENTALĺVERSIONĺOFĺk3OMEONEĺ TOĺ7ATCHĺ/VERĺ-ElĺISĺPLAYEDĺLIVEĺINĺTHEĺBARĺ4HEĺSONGlSĺREPETITION ĺTHISĺTIMEĺWITHĺ

SONIC MOTIFS AND SONGS IN NEO-NOIR

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THEĺCHARACTERSĺASĺLISTENERS ĺENDOWSĺTHEĺSONGĺWITHĺAĺSPECIALĺSTATUSĺ)TSĺPERFORM ANCEĺASĺMOOD MEDIATORĺINĺTHEĺBARĺPERMITSĺITĺTOĺTAKEĺONĺANĺEXPRESSIVEĺAGENCYĺFORĺ THEĺCHARACTERSlĺDESIRES ĺANDĺASĺTHEĺüLMlSĺTITLEĺSONGĺITĺüGURESĺFORĺTHEĺAUDIENCEĺASĺ AĺSIGNALĺTHATĺk4HISĺISĺTHEĺBIGĺAFFAIRĺĺ;4HEY=ĺCOULDĺNOTĺFORGETlĺ 4HEĺSONGĺISĺALSOĺNOSTALGICĺINĺSEVERALĺWAYSĺ!TĺTHISĺPOINTĺINĺTHEĺSTORYĺITĺSEEMSĺ THATĺ#LAIRElSĺROLEĺASĺWITNESSĺWILLĺSOONĺBEĺüNISHED ĺSOĺTHEĺSONGĺEXPRESSESĺANĺIDEAĺ OFĺDESIREĺALREADYĺOUTĺOFĺREACHĺ"UTĺITĺISĺALSOĺSYMBOLICALLYĺNOSTALGIC ĺTHATĺIS ĺTHEĺ VISIONĺOFĺROMANCEĺEVOKEDĺINĺTHEĺSTANDARDlSĺCONDENSEDĺLYRICĺIMAGINESĺAĺFANTASYĺ SCENARIOĺ INĺ WHICHĺ THEĺ TERMSĺ OFĺ DESIREĺ AREĺ SIMPLEĺ !ĺ TOUGHĺ WORKING CLASSĺ COPĺ ENJOYINGĺAĺDALLIANCEĺWITHĺAĺCLASSYĺDAMEĺISĺNOTĺONLYĺTHEĺSTUFFĺOFĺCLASSICĺNOIR ĺBUTĺOFĺ AĺDIFFERENTĺFORMATIONĺOFĺGENDERĺRELATIONSĺ3TUARTĺ4ANNOCKĺSUGGESTSĺTHATĺkNOSTALGIAĺ APPROACHESĺTHEĺPASTĺASĺAĺSTABLEĺSOURCEĺOFĺVALUEĺANDĺMEANINGlĺĺ ĺANDĺ THATĺONEĺKEYĺINDEXĺOFĺTHATĺPASTĺISĺGENDERĺRELATIONSĺkAĺPASTĺINĺWHICHĺEVERYTHINGĺISĺ HELDĺINĺITSĺmPROPERnĺPLACE ĺWHEREĺknMENĺWEREĺMEN ĺWOMENĺWEREĺWOMENĺANDĺRE ALITYĺWASĺREALnlĺĺ ĺQUOTINGĺ$OANEĺĺ(ODGESĺĺ ĺ4HEĺROMANTICĺFAN TASYĺOFFEREDĺBYĺTHEĺSONGĺCANNOTĺBEĺRESOLVEDĺWITHINĺTHEĺüLMlSĺNARRATIVEĺRELATIONS ĺ BOUNDĺASĺTHEYĺAREĺWITHINĺAĺNOIRISHĺTRANSGRESSIVE ĺLOVEĺTRIANGLEĺ)NĺTHEĺCONTRASTĺ BETWEENĺLYRICĺANDĺNARRATIVE ĺTHEĺüLMĺREGISTERSĺDIFFERENCEĺINĺAĺFATALISTICĺTONE 4HISĺISĺCLEARĺASĺTHEĺNARRATIVEĺMOVESĺTOĺITSĺCONCLUSIONĺ6ENZAĺESCAPESĺCUS TODY ĺANDĺ-IKElSĺDEVELOPINGĺAFFAIRĺWITHĺ#LAIREĺENDANGERSĺHER ĺHISĺFAMILYĺANDĺHISĺ POLICEĺCOLLEAGUESĺASĺDESIREĺBLURSĺHISĺABILITYĺTOĺkWATCHĺOVERlĺALLĺTHOSEĺCLOSEĺTOĺ HIM ĺFAILINGĺTOĺFULüLĺAĺNORMATIVEĺMASCULINEĺPOSITIONĺ!Sĺ-IKEĺSPENDSĺTHEĺNIGHTĺ WITHĺ#LAIRE ĺ%LLIEĺANDĺ4OMMYĺAREĺTHREATENEDĺBYĺAĺPROWLER ĺANDĺTAKENĺCAREĺOFĺBYĺ OFüCERSĺFROMĺ-IKElSĺSQUADĺ,ATERĺINĺTHEĺüLM ĺ-IKElSĺWORKĺPARTNERĺ4ĺ*ĺ4ONYĺ$Iĺ "ENEDETTO ĺSTANDSĺINĺFORĺ-IKEĺONĺTHEĺPROTECTIONĺNIGHTĺSHIFT ĺWHILEĺ-IKEĺISĺSUP POSEDĺTOĺBEĺRESOLVINGĺHISĺMARRIAGEĺPROBLEMSĺ"UT ĺUNABLEĺTOĺSTAYĺAWAYĺFROMĺ #LAIRE ĺ-IKEĺCOMESĺTOĺHERĺAPARTMENTĺANDĺSLEEPS ĺWHILEĺ4ĺ*ĺKEEPSĺWATCHĺ4HEĺ DEADĺNIGHTĺHOURSĺAREĺMARKEDĺBYĺAĺDIEGETICĺRADIOĺPLAYINGĺk3MOKEĺ'ETSĺINĺ9OURĺ %YESlĺTHEĺSOFT ĺLOWĺVOLUMEĺOFĺTHEĺSONGĺWEAVESĺAĺMOODĺOFĺLONGING ĺBUTĺTHEĺLYR ICSĺATTESTĺTOĺBLINDNESSĺINĺLOVE ĺANDĺPLOTĺEVENTSĺFORMĺAĺCOUNTERPOINTĺASĺONEĺOFĺ 6ENZAlSĺACCOMPLICESĺSILENTLYĺENTERSĺTHEĺČATĺANDĺSHOOTSĺ4ĺ*ĺ 4HEĺüNALĺDIEGETICĺINSTANCEĺOFĺTHEĺSTANDARDĺINĺ3OMEONEĺTOĺ7ATCHĺ/VERĺ-Eĺ HASĺ Aĺ ROLEĺ INĺ THEĺ PLOTlSĺ EMOTIONALĺ RESOLUTIONSĺ #LAIREĺ SITSĺ ALONEĺ ATĺ Aĺ FUNCTIONĺ COMMEMORATINGĺAĺMUSICĺSCHOOL ĺFOUNDEDĺBYĺHERĺFATHERĺ!SĺTHEĺBANDĺPLAYSĺTHEĺ OPENINGĺCHORDSĺOFĺk3OMEONEĺTOĺ7ATCHĺ/VERĺ-El ĺ-IKEĺAPPEARSĺ!SĺTHEYĺDANCEĺ TOĺTHEĺSONGĺTHATĺARTICULATESĺTHEIRĺCONNECTION ĺ-IKEĺBREAKSĺOFFĺTHEIRĺDOOMEDĺAF FAIR ĺTELLINGĺ#LAIREĺTHATĺkITĺCOULDNlTĺHAVEĺWORKEDl 4HEĺüLMĺCOMESĺTOĺAĺSYMBOLICĺANDĺBLOODYĺDENOUEMENTĺINĺ-IKElSĺHOMEĺ%LLIEĺ ANDĺ4OMMYĺAREĺTAKENĺHOSTAGEĺBYĺ6ENZA ĺANDĺ-IKEĺANDĺ#LAIREĺBECOMEĺINVOLVEDĺ INĺAĺSHOOT OUTĺINĺWHICHĺüRSTĺ4OMMY ĺANDĺTHENĺ#LAIRE ĺAREĺENDANGEREDĺ4HEĺüNALĺ SHOTSĺOFĺTHEĺüLMĺRE ESTABLISHĺTHEĺFAMILYĺkPROPERlĺASĺTHEĺERRANTĺ-IKEĺISĺRECONCILEDĺ WITHĺ%LLIEĺ

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!SĺTHEĺüLMlSĺüNALĺCREDITSĺROLLĺTHEĺTITLEĺSONGĺISĺHEARDĺFORĺTHEĺLASTĺTIME ĺINĺAĺVER SIONĺPERFORMEDĺBYĺ2OBERTAĺ&LACKĺ4HEĺRE USEĺOFĺTHEĺSONGĺPARTNERSĺTHEĺOPENINGĺ CREDITS ĺBUTĺHAVINGĺTHEĺSONGĺDELIVEREDĺBYĺAĺFEMALEĺPERFORMERĺSUGGESTSĺ#LAIRElSĺ LOSSĺ)NĺTHISĺREPLAYINGĺOFĺTHEĺLYRIC ĺk(ElSĺTHEĺBIGĺAFFAIRĺ)ĺCANNOTĺFORGETĺĺ4HEĺONLYĺ GUYĺ)ĺEVERĺTHINKĺOFĺWITHĺREGRETl ĺTHEĺCOMBINATIONĺOFĺIMAGEĺANDĺSOUNDĺEXPRESSESĺ THEĺDESIRESĺTHATĺTHEĺNARRATIVEĺRESOLUTIONĺHASĺIDEOLOGICALLYĺRESOLVEDĺ4HEĺOLD FASH IONEDĺSONGĺSUGGESTSĺDESIREĺASĺALWAYSĺALREADYĺOUTĺOFĺREACH ĺAĺFEELINGĺCOMMONĺ TOĺDESIREĺINĺNEO NOIRĺASĺSIMULTANEOUSLYĺINVOKEDĺBUTĺSELDOMĺFULüLLEDĺ )NĺTHEĺUSEĺOFĺOLDĺSTANDARDSĺTOĺBOTHĺARTICULATEĺANDĺFORECLOSEĺNEO NOIRĺDESIRE ĺ WEĺCANĺHEARĺAĺkMEMORIALISATIONlĺASĺWELLĺASĺAĺLONGINGĺFORĺAĺMODEĺOFĺEXPRESSIONĺ THATĺONLYĺEXISTSĺASĺANĺECHOĺ!Sĺ$YERĺARGUES ĺk0ASTICHEĺNOIRĺISĺABLEĺTOĺRECOGNISEĺ ANDĺMOBILISEĺTHEĺSTRUCTUREĺOFĺFEELINGĺITĺPERCEIVESĺTOĺHAVEĺBEENĺCAUGHTĺBYĺCLAS SICĺNOIRĺ)TĺDOESĺALSOĺSEEMĺTOĺSAYĺTHEYĺDONlTĺMAKEĺTHEMĺLIKEĺTHISĺANYMOREĺ4HISĺ MAYĺBEĺAĺSOURCEĺOFĺREGRETĺANDĺNOSTALGIAĺpĺIFĺONLYĺWEĺSTILLĺDIDĺ!NGSTĺANDĺSEXINESSĺ LIKEĺTHISlĺĺ ĺ)NĺTHISĺWAYĺ3OMEONEĺTOĺ7ATCHĺ/VERĺ-EĺCANĺEXPLOITĺTHEĺ GLAMOURĺOFĺCLASSICĺNOIRĺEVENĺWHILEĺITĺALIGNSĺITSELFĺWITHĺITSĺCONTEXTUALĺSYMBOLICĺ POLITICSĺINĺITSĺRESOLUTION )NĺCONCLUSION ĺATTENTIONĺTOĺTHEĺSPECIüCĺSONICĺSTYLESĺTHATĺAREĺDEPLOYEDĺINĺTWOĺ DIFFERENTĺMOMENTSĺOFĺNEO NOIRĺALLOWSĺUSĺTOĺACKNOWLEDGEĺTHEĺROLEĺOFĺSOUNDĺINĺ NEO NOIRlSĺONGOINGĺREPLAYĺANDĺREWORKINGĺOFĺCLASSICĺNOIRlSĺTHEMESĺANDĺCONCERNSĺ !TTENTIONĺTOĺTHEĺCOMPLEXITYĺANDĺRICHNESSĺOFĺSOUNDĺASĺPARTĺOFĺNEO NOIRlSĺSTYLESĺ ANDĺMEANINGSĺPERMITSĺUSĺTOĺKEYĺINTOĺNEO NOIRlSĺAFFECTIVEĺARRAY ĺANDĺITSĺSHIFTINGĺ ANDĺ POTENTĺ ARTICULATIONSĺ OFĺ ANXIETYĺ /NEĺ MUSTĺ OFĺ COURSEĺ BEĺ WARYĺ OFĺ MAKINGĺ GENERALISATIONSĺABOUTĺPERIODISATIONSĺ4HEREĺARE ĺAFTERĺALL ĺNOSTALGICĺNEO NOIRSĺINĺ THEĺS ĺSUCHĺASĺ#HINATOWNĺ ĺANDĺ&AREWELL ĺ-Yĺ,OVELYĺ ĺANDĺPARA NOIDĺONESĺINĺTHEĺS ĺSUCHĺASĺ!NGELĺ(EARTĺ ĺ.Oĺ7AYĺ/UTĺ ĺANDĺ *ACOBlSĺ,ADDERĺ ĺ3IMILARLY ĺSOMEĺSĺNEO NOIRSĺMAKEĺUSEĺOFĺSTANDARDSĺ ANDĺOTHERĺMAINSTREAMĺPOPULARĺMUSICĺFROMĺEARLIERĺINĺTHEĺCENTURY ĺSUCHĺASĺ4HEĺ ,ONGĺ'OODBYEĺ ĺANDĺ4HEĺ#ONVERSATION ĺWHILEĺASĺTHEĺLIP SYNCHEDĺPERFORM ANCEĺOFĺk)Nĺ$REAMSlĺBYĺ"ENĺ$EANĺ3TOCKWELL ĺINĺ"LUEĺ6ELVETĺSUGGESTSĺTHEĺUSEĺ OFĺSUCHĺMUSICĺINĺTHEĺSĺISĺNOTĺALWAYSĺSTRAIGHTFORWARDLYĺNOSTALGICĺ(OWEVER ĺ TOĺTHEĺEXTENTĺTHATĺTHEĺüLMSĺ)ĺHAVEĺDISCUSSEDĺINĺDETAILĺABOVEĺCANĺBEĺTAKENĺASĺ REPRESENTATIVE ĺITĺISĺPOSSIBLEĺTOĺPROPOSEĺSOMEĺGENERALĺTRENDSĺACROSSĺTHESEĺTWOĺ DECADESĺ)NĺTHEĺS ĺTHEREĺWASĺAĺMUCHĺGREATERĺSENSEĺOFĺFOREGROUNDINGĺNEWĺ TECHNICALĺPOSSIBILITIES ĺINCLUDINGĺSOUNDĺTECHNOLOGIESĺ#HALLENGINGĺCLASSICALĺüLM MAKINGĺCONVENTIONSĺBYĺFRAGMENTINGĺANDĺCREATINGĺDISSONANCEĺBETWEENĺSOUNDĺ ANDĺ IMAGEĺ OPENEDĺ UPĺ ANĺ ARRAYĺ OFĺ POTENTIALĺ RELATIONSHIPSĺ BETWEENĺ THEMĺ ANDĺ BETWEENĺTHEĺAUDIENCEĺANDĺTHEĺüLMĺ4HISĺUNSOUNDNESSĺANDĺSENSEĺOFĺČUIDĺPOS SIBILITYĺWASĺWELL MATCHEDĺTOĺAĺFOCUSĺONĺPUBLICĺLIFEĺINĺAĺDECADEĺOFĺPOLITICALĺSCANDALĺ ANDĺCOUNTERCULTURALĺACTIVISMĺ)NĺTHEĺS ĺTHESEĺPOTENTIALSĺWEREĺCLOSEDĺDOWNĺ ASĺTECHNICALĺPOSSIBILITIESĺWEREĺINCREASINGLYĺINTEGRATEDĺINTOĺTHEĺCONSTRUCTIONĺOFĺ OVERWHELMINGĺSPECTACLESĺANDĺOTHERĺTOTALISED ĺSELF ENCLOSEDĺüLMĺEXPERIENCESĺ

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4HISĺTENDENCYĺWASĺITSELFĺMATCHEDĺBYĺAĺRETREATĺFROMĺPUBLICĺPOLITICSĺANDĺAĺSHIFTĺOFĺ NARRATIVEĺFOCUSĺONĺTOĺTHEĺPERSONALĺANDĺDOMESTIC ĺOFTENĺPROMOTINGĺREACTIONARYĺ UTOPIANĺVISIONSĺpĺSUCHĺASĺTHEĺSUPPOSEDĺkAUTHENTICITYlĺOFĺTHEĺBLUE COLLARĺNUCLEARĺ FAMILYĺOVERĺTHEĺDANGEROUSĺALLUREĺOFĺWEALTHĺANDĺCLASSĺASPIRATIONĺINĺ3OMEONEĺTOĺ 7ATCHĺ/VERĺ-EĺpĺBASEDĺUPONĺTHEĺPROFOUNDLYĺIDEOLOGICALĺUNSOUNDNESSĺOFĺANĺ ILLUSIONARYĺPASTĺ

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58

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REFERENCES !LTMAN ĺ2ICKĺ ĺk4HEĺMATERIALĺHETEROGENEITYĺOFĺRECORDEDĺSOUNDl ĺINĺ2ICKĺ!LTMANĺED ĺ 3OUNDĺ4HEORYĺ3OUNDĺ0RACTICEĺ,ONDONĺ2OUTLEDGE ĺp !TTALI ĺ*ACQUESĺ ĺ.OISEĺ4HEĺ0OLITICALĺ%CONOMYĺOFĺ-USICĺ-ANCHESTERĺ-ANCHESTERĺ 5NIVERSITYĺ0RESS "ORDE ĺ2AYMONDĺANDĺ TIENNEĺ#HAUMETONĺĺ;= ĺk4OWARDSĺAĺDEüNITIONĺOFĺüLMĺNOIRl ĺ INĺ!LAINĺ3ILVERĺANDĺ*AMESĺ5RSINIĺEDS ĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺ2EADERĺ.EWĺ9ORKĺ,IMELIGHTĺ%DITIONS ĺ p "OULD ĺ-ARKĺ ĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺ&ROMĺ"ERLINĺTOĺ3INĺ#ITYĺ,ONDONĺ7ALLČOWERĺ0RESS #ARROLL ĺ .OÂLĺ  ĺ )NTERPRETINGĺ THEĺ -OVINGĺ )MAGEĺ #AMBRIDGEĺ #AMBRIDGEĺ 5NIVERSITYĺ 0RESS #OOK ĺ$AVIDĺ ĺ,OSTĺ)LLUSIONSĺ!MERICANĺ#INEMAĺINĺTHEĺ3HADOWĺOFĺ7ATERGATEĺ,ON DONĺ5NIVERSITYĺOFĺ#ALIFORNIAĺ0RESS $OANE ĺ*ANICEĺANDĺ$EVONĺ(ODGESĺ ĺ.OSTALGIAĺANDĺ3EXUALĺ$IFFERENCEĺ4HEĺ2ESIST ENCEĺTOĺ#ONTEMPORARYĺ&EMINISMĺ.EWĺ9ORKĺ-ETHUEN $OANE ĺ-ARYĺ!NNĺĺ;= ĺk)DEOLOGYĺANDĺTHEĺPRACTICEĺOFĺSOUNDĺEDITINGĺANDĺMIXINGl ĺ INĺ%LISABETHĺ7EISĺANDĺ*OHNĺ"ELTONĺEDS ĺ&ILMĺ3OUNDĺ4HEORYĺANDĺ0RACTICEĺ.EWĺ9ORKĺ #OLUMBIAĺ5NIVERSITYĺ0RESS ĺp $YER ĺ2ICHARDĺ ĺ0ASTICHEĺ,ONDONĺ2OUTLEDGE %RICKSON ĺ4ODDĺ ĺk+ILLĺMEĺAGAINĺ-OVEMENTĺBECOMESĺGENREl ĺINĺ!LAINĺ3ILVERĺANDĺ*AMESĺ 5RSINIĺEDS ĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺ2EADERĺ.EWĺ9ORKĺ,IMELIGHTĺ%DITIONS ĺp &URIA ĺ2OBERTĺ ĺ4HEĺ0OETSĺOFĺ4INĺ0ANĺ!LLEYĺ.EWĺ9ORKĺANDĺ/XFORDĺ/XFORDĺ5NIVERSITYĺ 0RESSĺ 'ALLAFENT ĺ%Dĺ ĺk%CHOĺ0ARKĺ&ILMĺNOIRĺINĺTHEĺm3EVENTIESnl ĺINĺ)ANĺ#AMERONĺED ĺ4HEĺ -OVIEĺ"OOKĺOFĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺ,ONDONĺ3TUDIOĺ6ISTA ĺp 'ARWOOD ĺ)ANĺ ĺk-USTĺYOUĺREMEMBERĺTHISĺ/RCHESTRATINGĺTHEĺmSTANDARDnĺPOPĺSONGĺ INĺ3LEEPLESSĺINĺ3EATTLEl ĺ3CREEN ĺ ĺ ĺp 'IDDIS ĺ $IANEĺ ĺ ;= ĺ k4HEĺ DIVIDEDĺ WOMANĺ "REEĺ $ANIELSĺ INĺ +LUTEl ĺ INĺ "ILLĺ .ICHOLSĺ ED ĺ-OVIESĺANDĺ-ETHODSĺ6OLUMEĺĺ!Nĺ!NTHOLOGYĺ,ONDONĺ5NIVERSITYĺOFĺ#ALIFORNIAĺ 0RESS ĺp 'LEDHILL ĺ#HRISTINEĺA ĺk+LUTEĺĺ!ĺCONTEMPORARYĺüLMĺNOIRĺANDĺFEMINISTĺCRITICISMl ĺINĺ%ĺ !NNĺ+APLANĺED ĺ7OMENĺANDĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺ,ONDONĺ"RITISHĺ&ILMĺ)NSTITUTE ĺp ????ĺB ĺk+LUTEĺĺ&EMINISMĺANDĺ+LUTEl ĺINĺ%ĺ!NNĺ+APLANĺED ĺ7OMENĺANDĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺ ,ONDONĺ"RITISHĺ&ILMĺ)NSTITUTE ĺp (ANSON ĺ(ELENĺFORTHCOMING= ĺk3OUNDSĺOFĺTHEĺCITYĺ4HEĺSONICĺFABRICĺOFĺüLMĺNOIRl ĺINĺ)ANĺ&RAN KLINĺANDĺ2OBYNNĺ3TILWELLĺEDS ĺ4HEĺ#AMBRIDGEĺ#OMPANIONĺTOĺ&ILMĺ-USICĺ#AMBRIDGEĺ #AMBRIDGEĺ5NIVERSITYĺ0RESS (OLLINGER ĺ+ARENĺ ĺk&ILMĺ.OIR ĺ6OICE /VER ĺANDĺTHEĺ&EMMEĺ&ATALEl ĺINĺ!LAINĺ3ILVERĺANDĺ *AMESĺ5RSINIĺEDS ĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺ2EADERĺ.EWĺ9ORKĺ,IMELIGHTĺ%DITIONS ĺp (OUSEMAN ĺ*OHNĺ ĺk4ODAYlSĺHEROĺ!ĺREVIEWl ĺ(OLLYWOODĺ1UARTERLY ĺ ĺ ĺ*ANUARY ĺp

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*AMESON ĺ&REDRICĺ ĺk0OSTMODERNISMĺANDĺCONSUMERĺSOCIETYl ĺINĺ(ALĺ&OSTERĺED ĺ0OST MODERNĺ#ULTUREĺ,ONDONĺ0LUTOĺ0RESS ĺp +APLAN ĺ%ĺ!NNĺ ĺk)NTRODUCTIONl ĺINĺ%ĺ!NNĺ+APLANĺED ĺ7OMENĺANDĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺ,ONDONĺ "RITISHĺ&ILMĺ)NSTITUTE ĺp +OPPL ĺ2UDYĺ ĺk-ICHAELĺ3MALLĺ3CORINGĺTHEĺDIRECTORlSĺVISIONl ĺ-USICĺFROMĺTHEĺ-OVIES ĺ  ĺ!UTUMN ĺp ,EV ĺ0ETERĺ ĺ!MERICANĺ&ILMSĺOFĺTHEĺSĺ#ONČICTINGĺ6ISIONSĺ!USTINĺ5NIVERSITYĺOFĺ 4EXASĺ0RESS ,O"RUTTO ĺ6INCENTĺ  ĺ 3OUND ON &ILMĺ )NTERVIEWSĺ WITHĺ #REATORSĺ OFĺ &ILMĺ 3OUNDĺ .EWĺ 9ORKĺ0RAEGER -ONACO ĺ0AULĺ ĺ4HEĺ3IXTIESĺpĺ,ONDONĺ5NIVERSITYĺOFĺ#ALIFORNIAĺ0RESS .AREMORE ĺ*AMESĺ ĺ-OREĺ4HANĺ.IGHTĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺINĺITSĺ#ONTEXTSĺ,ONDONĺ5NIVERSITYĺ OFĺ#ALIFORNIAĺ0RESS .EALE ĺ3TEVEĺ ĺ'ENREĺANDĺ(OLLYWOODĺ,ONDONĺ2OUTLEDGE .EWMAN ĺ#HRISĺ ĺk%ASTĺ#OASTĺSOUNDĺ!NĺINTERVIEWĺWITHĺSOUNDĺRECORDISTĺ#HRISĺ.EW MANl ĺ7IDEĺ!NGLE ĺ ĺ ĺp /l"RIEN ĺ 'EOFFREYĺ  ĺ k4HEĺ RETURNĺ OFĺ üLMĺ NOIR
l ĺ 4HEĺ .EWĺ9ORKĺ 2EVIEWĺ OFĺ "OOKS ĺ ĺ !UGUST ĺ 0LACE ĺ*ANEYĺANDĺ,OWELLĺ0ETERSONĺĺ;= ĺk3OMEĺ6ISUALĺ-OTIFSĺOFĺ&ILMĺ.OIRl ĺINĺ!LAINĺ 3ILVERĺANDĺ*AMESĺ5RSINIĺEDS ĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺ2EADERĺ.EWĺ9ORKĺ,IMELIGHTĺ%DITIONS ĺp 0RINCE ĺ3TEPHENĺ ĺ!ĺ.EWĺ0OTĺOFĺ'OLDĺ(OLLYWOODĺ5NDERĺTHEĺ%LECTRICĺ2AINBOWĺp ĺ"ERKELEYĺANDĺ,ONDONĺ5NIVERSITYĺOFĺ#ALIFORNIAĺ0RESSĺ 2ENICK ĺ +YLEĺ  ĺ k4HEĺ POETĺ OFĺ PARANOIAĺ !Nĺ APPRECIATIONĺ OFĺ THEĺ LATE ĺ GREATĺ -ICHAELĺ 3MALLl ĺ&ILMĺ3COREĺ-AGAZINE ĺ3EPTEMBER/CTOBER ĺp 3CHRADER ĺ0AULĺĺ;= ĺk.OTESĺONĺüLMĺNOIRl ĺINĺ!LAINĺ3ILVERĺANDĺ*AMESĺ5RSINIĺEDS ĺ &ILMĺ.OIRĺ2EADERĺ.EWĺ9ORKĺ,IMELIGHTĺ%DITIONS ĺp 3CHREGER ĺ#HARLESĺ ĺk4HEĺSECONDĺCOMINGĺOFĺSOUNDl ĺ&ILMĺ#OMMENT ĺ ĺ ĺp 3ERGI ĺ'IANLUCAĺ ĺ4HEĺ$OLBYĺ%RAĺ&ILMĺ3OUNDĺINĺ#ONTEMPORARYĺ(OLLYWOODĺ-ANCHES TERĺ-ANCHESTERĺ5NIVERSITYĺ0RESS 3TARR ĺ,ARRYĺANDĺ#HRISTOPHERĺ7ATERMANĺ ĺ!MERICANĺ0OPULARĺ-USICĺ&ROMĺ-INSTRELSYĺ TOĺ-0ĺ3ECONDĺ%DITIONĺ.EWĺ9ORKĺ/XFORDĺ5NIVERSITYĺ0RESS 4ANNOCK ĺ3TUARTĺ ĺk.OSTALGIAĺCRITIQUEl ĺ#ULTURALĺ3TUDIES ĺ ĺ ĺp 7ARD ĺ%LIZABETHĺĺ;= ĺk4HEĺPOST NOIRĺ0)ĺ4HEĺ,ONGĺ'OODBYEĺANDĺ(ICKEYĺANDĺ"OGGSl ĺ INĺ!LAINĺ3ILVERĺANDĺ*AMESĺ5RSINIĺEDS ĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺ2EADERĺ.EWĺ9ORKĺ,IMELIGHTĺ%DITIONS ĺ pĺ 7ILLIAMS ĺ,INDAĺ2UTHĺ ĺ4HEĺ%ROTICĺ4HRILLERĺINĺ#ONTEMPORARYĺ#INEMAĺ%DINBURGHĺ%D INBURGHĺ5NIVERSITYĺ0RESS

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NEO-NOIR

4 The End of Work: From Double Indemnity to Body Heat CARL FREEDMAN

"ILLYĺ7ILDERlSĺ$OUBLEĺ)NDEMNITYĺ ĺISĺAMONGĺTHEĺEARLIESTĺMAJORĺINSTANCESĺ OFĺüLMĺNOIR ĺANDĺITĺHASĺLONGĺBEENĺAMONGĺTHEĺMOSTĺPOPULARĺANDĺSUCCESSFULĺASĺ WELLĺkTHEĺGREATESTĺMOVIEĺEVERĺMADEl ĺINĺ7OODYĺ!LLENlSĺHYPERBOLICĺFORMULATIONĺ QUOTEDĺINĺ#ROWEĺĺ ĺ4HOUGHĺTHEĺGENREĺISĺTOOĺVARIEDĺANDĺCOMPLEXĺFORĺ ANYĺPARTICULARĺüLMĺTOĺBEĺCOMPLETELYĺTYPICAL ĺITĺWOULDĺBEĺDIFüCULTĺTOĺNAMEĺANOTHERĺ THATĺCOMESĺCLOSERĺTOĺPROVIDINGĺAĺPARADIGMĺFORĺNOIRĺ4HEĺTHREEĺMAJORĺCHARACTERS ĺ ALLĺSHARPLYĺDRAWNĺANDĺALLĺSUPERBLYĺACTED ĺAREĺASĺINTEGRALĺTOĺNOIRĺASĺANYĺTYPESĺONEĺ COULDĺ NAMEĺ4HEREĺ ISĺ THEĺ INSURANCEĺ SALESMANĺ7ALTERĺ .EFFĺ &REDĺ -AC-URRAY ĺ THEĺORDINARYĺANDĺREASONABLYĺGENIALĺ%VERYMAN ĺWHOĺISĺNOTĺINTRINSICALLYĺEVILĺBUTĺ LEDĺBYĺLUST ĺGREED ĺWEAKNESSĺANDĺGULLIBILITYĺTOĺCOMMITĺANĺEVILĺACTĺTHATĺRESULTSĺ INĺHISĺOWNĺDESTRUCTIONĺ4HEREĺISĺTHEĺBOREDĺHOUSEWIFEĺ0HYLLISĺ$IETRICHSONĺ"AR BARAĺ3TANWYCK ĺTHEĺDANGEROUSĺICE BLONDEĺSEDUCTRESSĺWHOSEĺSEXUALĺIRRESISTIBIL ITYĺISĺCOUNTERPOINTEDĺBYĺHERĺABSOLUTEĺLACKĺOFĺHONOUR ĺCONSCIENCEĺORĺEMOTIONALĺ WARMTHĺ!NDĺTHEREĺISĺTHEĺINSURANCEĺINVESTIGATORĺ"ARTONĺ+EYESĺ%DWARDĺ'ĺ2OB INSON ĺTHEĺSMARTĺHARD BOILEDĺDETECTIVEĺWHOĺMOVESĺWITHĺTOUGHNESSĺANDĺSAVVYĺ THROUGHĺ ANĺ AMORALĺ WORLDĺ WHILEĺ MAINTAININGĺ Aĺ PERSONALĺ CODEĺ OFĺ HONESTYĺ ANDĺ COMPASSIONĺTHATĺHEĺTRIESĺTOĺCAMOUČAGEĺBENEATHĺAĺGRUFFĺMANNERĺ 4HEĺPLOTĺISĺRELATIVELYĺSIMPLEĺ7ALTERĺANDĺ0HYLLISĺCONSPIREĺTOĺMURDERĺHERĺRICH ĺ UNSYMPATHETICĺHUSBANDĺ4OMĺ0OWERS ĺSOĺTHATĺTHEYĺCANĺSHAREĺBOTHĺTHEĺPAY OFFĺ FROMĺAĺLARGEĺACCIDENT INSURANCEĺPOLICYĺANDĺASĺFARĺASĺ7ALTERĺISĺCONCERNED ĺTHEĺ PLEASURESĺOFĺROMANCEĺWITHĺONEĺANOTHERĺ)TĺSUPERüCIALLYĺSEEMSĺLIKEĺTHEĺPERFECTĺ CRIMEĺpĺANDĺ7ALTERlSĺINSIDEĺKNOWLEDGEĺOFĺTHEĺINSURANCEĺBUSINESSĺISĺCRUCIALĺTOĺ MAKINGĺITĺWORKĺpĺBUTĺTHEĺWHOLEĺTHINGĺSOONĺFALLSĺAPART ĺASĺ7ALTERĺHIMSELF ĺWITHĺ HISĺ BETTERĺ JUDGEMENT ĺ HASĺ ALWAYSĺ FORESEENĺ ITĺ WOULDĺ !FTERĺ ONEĺ ORĺ TWOĺ FALSEĺ STARTS ĺ +EYESĺ BEGINSĺ TOĺ SOLVEĺ THEĺ CRIMEĺ WITHĺ REMARKABLEĺ SPEEDĺ ANDĺ SOĺ THEĺ NOOSEĺ STARTSĺ TOĺ TIGHTENĺ AROUNDĺ 0HYLLISĺ ANDĺ7ALTERĺ -EANWHILE ĺ 0HYLLISlSĺ COLDĺ

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NATUREĺ ANDĺ CYNICALĺ MOTIVESĺ BECOMEĺ INCREASINGLYĺ APPARENTĺ TOĺ7ALTER ĺ ANDĺ THEĺ BURNINGĺPASSIONĺHEĺBRIEČYĺFELTĺFORĺHERĺCOOLSĺ!TĺTHEĺEND ĺ0HYLLISĺLIESĺDEADĺINĺHERĺ MANSION ĺSHOTĺBYĺ7ALTER ĺWHILEĺHE ĺSHOTĺBYĺHER ĺLIESĺSERIOUSLYĺWOUNDEDĺATĺTHEĺ INSURANCEĺCOMPANYĺFORĺWHICHĺHEĺWORKS ĺWAITINGĺFORĺTHEĺAMBULANCEĺTOĺPROVIDEĺ THEĺMEDICALĺCAREĺTHATĺWILLĺALLOWĺHIMĺTOĺWALKĺUNAIDEDĺINTOĺTHEĺ3ANĺ1UENTINĺGASĺ CHAMBERĺ+EYES ĺWHOĺNORMALLYĺTAKESĺGREATĺPLEASUREĺINĺCRACKINGĺAĺCASE ĺISĺLEFTĺ TOĺSURVEYĺTHEĺSCENEĺWITHĺUNSPEAKABLEĺSADNESSĺ4HEĺFACTĺTHATĺ7ALTERlSĺCONFES SIONĺPROVIDESĺHIMĺWITHĺTHEĺüNALĺFEWĺDETAILSĺOFĺTHEĺCRIMEĺTHATĺHEĺWASĺUNABLEĺTOĺ DEDUCEĺFORĺHIMSELFĺHARDLYĺCOMPENSATESĺ+EYESĺFORĺTHEĺLOSSĺOFĺTHEĺMANĺWHOĺHASĺ BEENĺHISĺBESTĺFRIENDĺASĺWELLĺASĺHISĺBUSINESSĺASSOCIATEĺ4HROUGHOUTĺTHEĺüLMĺ7AL TERĺHASĺBEENĺHELPINGĺTOĺLIGHTĺ+EYESlĺCIGARS ĺBUTĺNOW ĺASĺTHEĺINCAPACITATEDĺ7ALTERĺ LIESĺBLEEDINGĺONĺTHEĺOFüCEĺČOOR ĺ+EYESĺLIGHTSĺAĺCIGARETTEĺFORĺHIMĺ4HEĺüLMlSĺüNALĺ LINESĺAREĺALMOSTĺUNBEARABLYĺPOIGNANTĺ Neff:

Know why you couldn’t figure this one, Keyes? I’ll tell you. ‘Cause the guy you were looking for was too close. Right across the desk from you. Keyes: Closer than that, Walter. Neff: I love you, too. 4HOUGHĺ7ILDERĺMADEĺMANYĺROMANTICĺCOMEDIESĺANDĺCO AUTHOREDĺALLĺTHEĺSCREEN PLAYS ĺTHISĺIS ĺ)ĺBELIEVE ĺTHEĺONLYĺüLMĺWHEREĺTHEĺWORDSĺ)ĺLOVEĺYOUĺAREĺUTTEREDĺ WITHĺFULLĺINTENTĺBYĺANYĺ7ILDERĺCHARACTER -YĺPOINT ĺHOWEVER ĺISĺNOTĺONLYĺTHATĺ7ALTERlSĺJOCULARĺBUTĺTOTALLYĺSINCEREĺEX PRESSIONĺOFĺAFFECTIONĺFORĺ+EYESĺpĺUTTEREDĺHEREĺNOTĺFORĺTHEĺüRSTĺTIMEĺINĺ$OUBLEĺ )NDEMNITYĺpĺGIVESĺUNUSUALLYĺEXPLICITĺVOICEĺTOĺTHEĺHOMOEROTICĺFEELINGĺTHATĺMANYĺ CRITICSĺCONSIDERĺTOĺBEĺCHARACTERISTICĺOFĺüLMĺNOIRĺ4OĺBEĺSURE ĺ7ILDERlSĺMOVIEĺPRE CISELYĺFULüLSĺTHEĺFAMILIARĺNOIRĺPATTERNĺWHEREBYĺTHEĺSOLIDĺRELIABILITYĺOFĺMASCULINEĺ FRIENDSHIPĺISĺCONTRASTEDĺWITHĺTHEĺDANGERSĺANDĺUNPREDICTABILITYĺOFĺHETEROSEXUALĺ DALLIANCEĺ )NDEED ĺ $OUBLEĺ )NDEMNITYĺ EVENĺ PLACESĺ CONSIDERABLEĺ STRESSĺ ONĺ THEĺ LIFELONGĺBACHELORHOODĺOFĺTHEĺEARLY MIDDLE AGEDĺ7ALTERĺANDĺTHEĺLATE MIDDLE AGEDĺ +EYESĺANDĺBOTHĺAREĺDOINGĺJUSTĺüNEĺUNTILĺ7ALTER ĺWHILEĺALWAYSĺATĺHEARTĺKNOWINGĺ BETTER ĺALLOWSĺHIMSELFĺTOĺFALLĺFORĺTHEĺDELICIOUSĺBUTĺPOISONOUSĺFEMININEĺCHARMSĺ OFĺ0HYLLISĺ !TĺLEASTĺASĺIMPORTANTĺASĺTHEĺHOMOEROTICISMĺITSELF ĺHOWEVER ĺISĺTHEĺFACTĺTHATĺ 7ALTERĺANDĺ+EYESĺAREĺNOTĺJUSTĺMENĺTOGETHERĺBUTĺCO WORKERSĺANDĺBUSINESSĺASSO CIATESĺ)TĺISĺNOĺACCIDENTĺTHATĺTHEĺMOVIElSĺüNALĺSCENE ĺWHEREĺTHEĺMUTUALĺAFFECTIONĺ BETWEENĺTHEĺTWOĺISĺMOSTĺOVERT ĺSHOULDĺTAKEĺPLACEĺLIKEĺTHEĺüRSTĺSUBSTANTIALĺSCENEĺ ANDĺMANYĺSCENESĺTHEREAFTER ĺATĺTHEĺ,OSĺ!NGELESĺHEADQUARTERSĺOFĺTHEĺ0ACIüCĺ!LLĺ 2ISKĺ)NSURANCEĺ#OMPANYĺFORĺAĺSHAREDĺPARTICIPATIONĺINĺANDĺLOYALTYĺTOĺTHEĺüRMĺHASĺ ALWAYSĺPROVIDEDĺNOTĺONLYĺTHEĺINSTITUTIONALĺCONTEXTĺFORĺTHEĺPERSONALĺFRIENDSHIPĺBUTĺ AĺGOODĺDEALĺOFĺITSĺAFFECTIVEĺCONTENTĺASĺWELLĺ)FĺTHEREĺISĺSOMETHINGĺQUASI SEXUALĺ BETWEENĺTHEĺTWOĺMEN ĺTHENĺTHEĺEQUIVALENTĺOFĺAĺPROPOSITIONĺORĺAĺMARRIAGEĺPRO

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POSALĺ COMESĺ WHENĺ +EYESĺ SUGGESTSĺ THATĺ 7ALTERĺISĺkTOOĺGOODlĺTOĺREMAINĺAĺSALESMANĺ ANDĺ SHOULDĺ INSTEADĺ BECOMEĺ +EYESlĺ OWNĺ ASSISTANTĺ INĺ THEĺ CLAIMSĺ DEPARTMENTĺ ANĺ OFFERĺ7ALTERĺ COYLYĺ DECLINES ĺ )Nĺ Aĺ SENSE ĺ INDEED ĺ7ALTERlSĺWORSTĺSINĺISĺNOTĺSOĺMUCHĺ THEĺMURDERĺOFĺBOTHĺ$IETRICHSONSĺpĺFORĺTHEĺ VIEWERĺCANNOTĺFEELĺVERYĺSORRYĺFORĺEITHERĺpĺ ASĺTHEĺBETRAYALĺOFĺTHEĺCOMPANYĺTOĺWHICHĺ HEĺAND ĺEVENĺMORE ĺ+EYESĺHAVEĺDEVOTEDĺ THEIRĺLIVES All work and no play: Double Indemnity )ĺDOĺNOTĺMEANĺTHATĺ7ILDERĺHIMSELFĺPAR TICULARLYĺ ENDORSESĺ CORPORATEĺ LOYALTYĺ ASĺ ANĺ ETHICALĺ IDEALĺ4HEĺ !USTRIANĺ DIRECTORĺ ISĺ INĺ MANYĺ WAYSĺ Aĺ LATEĺ FOLLOWERĺ OFĺ 'ERMANĺ %XPRESSIONISMĺ AND ĺ WHILEĺ NEVERĺ POSITIVELYĺ SOCIALIST ĺ HEĺ TENDSĺ TOĺ BEĺ SCEPTICALĺ OFĺ CAPITALISTĺ VALUESĺ "UTĺ HEĺ ALSOĺ UNDERSTANDSĺTHEĺCAPITALISTĺTRANSFORMATIONĺANDĺEXPLOITATIONĺOFĺLABOURĺTOĺBEĺAĺFACTĺ OFĺENORMOUSĺAFFECTIVEĺASĺWELLĺASĺECONOMICĺWEIGHTĺ!ĺRECURRINGĺSHOTĺINĺ7ILDERlSĺ üLMSĺISĺOFĺROWSĺOFĺIDENTICALĺDESKSĺINĺAĺLARGEĺCORPORATEĺBUILDINGĺ6ARIANTSĺOCCURĺ NOTĺ ONLYĺ ATĺ THEĺ 0ACIüCĺ!LLĺ 2ISKĺ BUTĺ ALSOĺ ATĺ THEĺ HEADQUARTERSĺ OFĺ THEĺ .EWĺ9ORKĺ INSURANCEĺCOMPANYĺINĺ4HEĺ!PARTMENTĺ ĺANDĺATĺTHEĺ"ERLINĺHEADQUARTERSĺOFĺ #OCA #OLAĺINĺ/NEĺ4WOĺ4HREEĺ ĺ)NĺEACHĺCASE ĺTHEĺSHOTĺISĺNEO EXPRESSIONISTĺ INĺ TONEĺ THEĺ "ERLINĺ SETTINGĺ OFĺ /NEĺ4WOĺ4HREEĺ HASĺ IMPORTANTĺ POLITICALĺ ANDĺ AES THETICĺRESONANCES ĺANDĺSUGGESTSĺTHEĺALIENATINGĺPOWERĺOFĺCAPITALISMĺTOĺRENDERĺ THEĺCOMPANYĺBIGĺANDĺTHEĺHUMANĺBEINGSĺWHOĺWORKĺTHEREĺRELATIVELYĺSMALLĺ"UT ĺ ASĺ7ILDERĺIMPLICITLYĺINSISTS ĺSUCHĺALIENATIONĺIS ĺAFTERĺALL ĺTHEĺGROUNDĺOFĺOURĺPSYCHICĺ BEINGĺASĺSUBJECTSĺOFĺCAPITALISTĺSOCIETYĺ)NĺALLĺTHREEĺüLMS ĺTHEĺCHARACTERSlĺACTIONSĺ ANDĺ EMOTIONALĺ LIVESĺ AREĺ INSEPARABLEĺ FROMĺ THEIRĺ INVOLVEMENTĺ WITHĺ THEĺ COMPA NIESĺ THATĺ EMPLOYĺ THEMĺ )Tĺ ISĺ WORTHĺ NOTINGĺ THAT ĺ IFĺ MOSTĺ OFĺ7ILDERlSĺ ROMANTICĺ COMEDIESĺHAVEĺALWAYSĺSEEMEDĺINSUFüCIENTLYĺROMANTICĺTOĺMANYĺTENDER MINDEDĺ VIEWERS ĺITĺISĺBECAUSEĺ7ILDERĺISĺNEARLYĺALWAYSĺHONESTĺENOUGHĺTOĺINSISTĺTHATĺLOVEĺ ISĺNOTĺREALLYĺSEPARABLEĺFROMĺLABOURĺANDĺMONEYĺ0ERHAPSĺMONEYĺCANlTĺBUYĺYOUĺ LOVE ĺBUTĺLOVEĺISĺMOSTĺASSUREDLYĺNOTĺALLĺYOUĺNEEDĺ-OSTĺPEOPLEĺALSOĺNEEDĺAĺJOB ĺ ANDĺEVERYONEĺNEEDSĺHARDĺCASHĺ%VENĺINĺAĺCOMPARATIVELYĺMINORĺ7ILDERĺüLMĺLIKEĺ 4HEĺ&ORTUNEĺ#OOKIEĺ ĺAĺMANlSĺYEARNINGĺFORĺTHEĺWIFEĺWHOĺLEFTĺHIMĺCANNOTĺ BEĺADDRESSEDĺWITHOUTĺINSURANCEĺFRAUDĺANDĺTHEĺPRACTICEĺOFĺPERSONAL INJURYĺLAWĺ ANDĺ HEREĺ THEĺ RESULTSĺ OFĺ INSURANCEĺ FRAUDĺ AREĺ LESSĺ CATASTROPHICĺ THANĺ INĺ $OUBLEĺ )NDEMNITY ĺBUTĺNOTĺPAINLESSĺORĺPURELYĺCOMICĺEITHER 7ILDERĺ ALSOĺ SEES ĺ HOWEVER ĺ THATĺ THEĺ REIüCATIONĺ OFĺ LABOURĺ UNDERĺ CAPITALISMĺ DOESĺ NOTĺ NECESSARILYĺ PRECLUDEĺ Aĺ DIALECTICALLYĺ ANTITHETICALĺ UTOPIANĺ DIMENSIONĺ 7ALTERĺANDĺ+EYESĺAREĺNOTĺJUSTĺEMPLOYEESĺOFĺTHEĺ0ACIüCĺ!LLĺ2ISK ĺBUTĺUNUSUALLYĺ TALENTEDĺEMPLOYEES ĺWHOĺTAKEĺGREATĺPRIDEĺANDĺSATISFACTIONĺINĺTHEIRĺWORKĺ7ALTERĺ ISĺCONSISTENTLYĺTHEĺüRMlSĺTOPĺSALESMAN ĺAND ĺWHENĺ+EYESĺTRIESĺTOĺBRINGĺHIMĺINTOĺ

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THEĺINVESTIGATIVEĺSIDEĺOFĺTHEĺBUSINESS ĺHEĺINSISTS ĺk.OBODYlSĺTOOĺGOODĺTOĺBEĺAĺ SALESMANlĺ+EYESĺHIMSELFĺSEEMSĺTOĺBEĺVIRTUALLYĺAĺLEGENDĺINĺHISĺüELDĺkTHEĺBESTĺ CLAIMĺMANĺONĺTHEĺ#OASTlĺ#AINĺĺ ĺ4HEĺSCREENPLAYĺTHATĺ7ILDERĺCO AUTHOREDĺ WITHĺ2AYMONDĺ#HANDLERĺDISCARDSĺTHISĺPARTICULARĺLINEĺFROMĺ*AMESĺ-ĺ#AINlSĺĺ NOVELĺ"UTĺITĺEXPANDSĺ+EYESlĺROLEĺANDĺMAKESĺCLEARĺTHATĺTHEĺFEARLESSNESS ĺFORĺIN STANCE ĺWITHĺWHICHĺ+EYESĺCANĺSHOWĺELABORATEĺDISRESPECTĺFORĺ-Rĺ.ORTONĺ2ICHARDĺ 'AINES ĺTHEĺCOMPANYlSĺIMBECILICĺYOUNGĺPRESIDENT ĺISĺBASEDĺONĺHISĺBEINGĺTHATĺ RAREĺEMPLOYEEĺWHOSEĺSUPERLATIVEĺTALENTĺANDĺVALUEĺTOĺTHEĺüRMĺRENDERĺHIMĺIM MUNEĺTOĺTHEĺTERRORSĺOFĺTHEĺPINKĺSLIPĺ4HEĺHARD BOILEDĺDETECTIVEĺüCTIONĺTHATĺASĺTHEĺ NAMESĺOFĺ#AINĺANDĺ#HANDLERĺREMINDĺUS ĺISĺSOĺCONSEQUENTIALĺFORĺSOĺMUCHĺüLMĺNOIRĺ LEAVESĺITSĺGREATESTĺIMPACTĺONĺ$OUBLEĺ)NDEMNITYĺINĺTHEĺüLMlSĺUPHOLDINGĺOFĺTHEĺ ETHICĺANDĺPRIDEĺOFĺTHEĺJOBHOLDERĺ)TĺISĺSIGNIüCANTĺTHATĺTHEĺCONFESSIONĺWHICHĺ7ALTERĺ LEAVESĺFORĺ+EYESĺONĺWAXĺRECORDINGĺCYLINDERSĺISĺEXPLICITLYĺDESIGNATEDĺBYĺHIMĺANĺ kOFüCEĺ MEMORANDUMlĺ %VENĺ THEĺ TITLEĺ INHERITEDĺ FROMĺ #AIN ĺ RATIüESĺ THEĺ MOVIElSĺ INSISTENTĺSTRESSĺONĺWORKĺANDĺENTERPRISEĺTHEREĺAREĺSURELYĺNOTĺMANYĺüLMSĺTHATĺAREĺ CALLEDĺBYĺANĺARCANEĺTECHNICALĺTERMĺFROMĺTHEĺINSURANCEĺORĺANYĺOTHER ĺBUSINESS 4OĺSOMEĺDEGREE ĺ,AWRENCEĺ+ASDANĺMIGHTĺAPPEARĺANĺAPPROPRIATEĺCANDIDATEĺ TOĺHAVEĺREMADEĺ$OUBLEĺ)NDEMNITYĺ+ASDAN ĺLIKEĺ7ILDERĺBEFOREĺHIM ĺISĺAĺVERSA TILE ĺCOMMERCIALLYĺPROüCIENTĺSCREENWRITERDIRECTOR ĺWITHĺAĺSTRINGĺOFĺHITSĺINĺVARIOUSĺ GENRESĺ"UTĺTHEĺCOMPARISONĺISĺSUPERüCIALĺ7ILDER ĺTHOUGHĺALWAYSĺCOMMERCIALĺINĺ INTENTIONĺANDĺUSUALLYĺINĺSUCCESSĺASĺWELL ĺISĺALSOĺONEĺOFĺTHEĺTRUEĺARTISTICĺGIANTSĺOFĺ (OLLYWOODĺCINEMAĺTHEĺMAKERĺNOTĺONLYĺOFĺ$OUBLEĺ)NDEMNITYĺBUTĺOFĺSUCHĺOTHERĺ MASTERPIECESĺTHATĺFOLLOWEDĺASĺ4HEĺ,OSTĺ7EEKENDĺ ĺ3UNSETĺ"LVDĺ ĺ 3OMEĺ,IKEĺ)Tĺ(OTĺ ĺANDĺ4HEĺ!PARTMENTĺpĺNOTĺTOĺMENTIONĺLESSERĺBUTĺSTILLĺ EXCELLENTĺ üLMSĺ LIKEĺ 3TALAG ĺ  ĺ 7ITNESSĺ FORĺ THEĺ 0ROSECUTIONĺ  ĺ ANDĺ /NEĺ4WOĺ4HREE ĺASĺWELLĺASĺLATERĺANDĺTOĺTHISĺDAYĺMUCHĺUNDERRATEDĺAESTHETICĺIFĺ NOTĺPOPULAR ĺTRIUMPHSĺLIKEĺ4HEĺ0RIVATEĺ,IFEĺOFĺ3HERLOCKĺ(OLMESĺ ĺ!VANTI
ĺ  ĺANDĺ4HEĺ&RONTĺ0AGEĺ ĺ +ASDAN ĺBYĺCONTRAST ĺISĺSELDOMĺMOREĺTHANĺAĺCOMPETENTĺHACKĺWITHĺANĺUNDENI ABLEĺČAIRĺFORĺBOXĺOFüCEĺ(EĺISĺBESTĺKNOWNĺFORĺSUCHĺSHALLOWĺkFEEL GOODlĺSCHLOCKĺ ASĺ4HEĺ"IGĺ#HILLĺ ĺ4HEĺ!CCIDENTALĺ4OURISTĺ ĺANDĺ'RANDĺ#ANYONĺ ĺ (EĺHASĺAĺPRONOUNCEDĺIMITATIVEĺBENT ĺWHICHĺHASĺNOT ĺINĺGENERAL ĺSERVEDĺHIMĺWELLĺ ARTISTICALLYĺ4HEĺ"IGĺ#HILL ĺFORĺEXAMPLEĺWHOSEĺVERYĺTITLE ĺCONNOTINGĺDEATH ĺISĺAĺ SHAMELESSĺIMITATIONĺOFĺ#HANDLERlSĺ4HEĺ"IGĺ3LEEPĺ ĺISĺAĺNOT QUITE ACTIONA BLEĺPLAGIARISMĺOFĺ*OHNĺ3AYLESlĺGROUND BREAKINGĺ2ETURNĺOFĺTHEĺ3ECAUCUSĺ3EVENĺ  ĺ ANDĺ ITĺ MANAGESĺ TOĺ ELIMINATEĺ NEARLYĺ EVERYĺ THOUGHTFUL ĺ VITALĺ ELEMENTĺ INĺ 3AYLESlĺMOVIEĺ3ILVERADOĺ ĺISĺAĺLIFELESSĺCONFECTIONĺOFĺWESTERNĺMOTIFSĺCULLEDĺ FROMĺ DOZENSĺ OFĺ EARLIERĺ ANDĺ MOSTLYĺ BETTERĺ MOVIESĺ WHILEĺ +ASDANlSĺ 7YATTĺ %ARPĺ  ĺ THOUGHĺ SURELYĺ THEĺ MOSTĺ AMBITIOUSĺ üLMĺ EVERĺ MADEĺ ABOUTĺ THATĺ CLASSICĺ !MERICANĺHERO ĺISĺHOPELESSLYĺCLUMSYĺANDĺDULLĺCOMPAREDĺTOĺSUCHĺMUCHĺSUPERIORĺ PRECURSORSĺASĺ*OHNĺ&ORDlSĺ-Yĺ$ARLINGĺ#LEMENTINEĺ ĺORĺ*OHNĺ3TURGESlĺ'UN üGHTĺATĺTHEĺ/+ĺ#ORRALĺ 

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NEO-NOIR

All play and no work: Body Heat

9ETĺINĺ"ODYĺ(EATĺ ĺHISĺüRSTĺüLMĺASĺAĺDIRECTOR ĺ+ASDANĺMANAGESĺTOĺCRAFTĺ AĺüLMĺTHAT ĺIFĺHARDLYĺTHEĺEQUALĺOFĺ$OUBLEĺ)NDEMNITY ĺISĺNONETHELESSĺNOTĺUNWORTHYĺ OFĺCOMPARISONĺWITHĺITSĺGREATĺPREDECESSORĺ&ARĺFROMĺMERELYĺCOPYINGĺHISĺBETTERSĺ LIKEĺ3AYLESĺORĺTHEĺGREATĺWESTERNĺüLMMAKERS ĺ+ASDANĺHEREĺESTABLISHESĺAĺGENU INELYĺREVISIONARYĺRELATIONSHIPĺWITHĺ7ILDERĺINĺSOMETHINGĺLIKEĺTHEĺSTRICTĺ"LOOMIANĺ SENSEĺTHATĺISĺTOĺSAY ĺTHEĺINTERESTĺOFĺ"ODYĺ(EATĺLIESĺNOTĺONLYĺINĺTHEĺWAYSĺTHATĺ +ASDANĺFOLLOWSĺ7ILDERĺBUT ĺEVENĺMORE ĺINĺTHEĺWAYSĺTHATĺHEĺSWERVESĺFROMĺTHEĺ EARLIERĺDIRECTORĺ3INCEĺITĺTHUSĺBOTHĺACCEPTSĺANDĺRADICALLYĺMODIüESĺTHEĺPATTERNSĺ ESTABLISHEDĺBYĺONEĺOFĺTHEĺMAJORĺNOIRĺCLASSICS ĺ"ODYĺ(EATĺMAYĺBEĺCONSIDEREDĺ AMONGĺTHEĺMOSTĺPURELYĺANDĺPRECISELYĺNEO NOIRĺOFĺALLĺüLMSĺ 4HEĺ STORYLINEĺ OFĺ "ODYĺ (EAT ĺ FORĺ INSTANCE ĺ FOLLOWSĺ THEĺ BASICĺ TRAJECTORYĺ OFĺ $OUBLEĺ)NDEMNITYĺBUTĺWITHĺCERTAINĺELEMENTSĺOFĺTHEĺEARLIERĺüLMĺACCENTUATEDĺANDĺ OTHERSĺEFFACEDĺk)ĺKILLEDĺHIMĺFORĺMONEY ĺANDĺFORĺAĺWOMANl ĺ7ALTERĺ.EFFĺCONFESSESĺ NEARĺTHEĺBEGINNINGĺOFĺ7ILDERlSĺüLMĺk)ĺDIDNlTĺGETĺTHEĺMONEY ĺANDĺ)ĺDIDNlTĺGETĺTHEĺ WOMANlĺ .EDĺ 2ACINEĺ 7ILLIAMĺ (URT ĺ +ASDANlSĺ HAPLESSĺ PROTAGONIST ĺ COULDĺ RE PEATĺTHESEĺSENTENCESĺWORDĺFORĺWORDĺ.ED ĺTHOUGHĺLIKEĺ7ALTERĺNOTĺIRREDEEMABLYĺ EVIL ĺISĺEVENĺGREEDIER ĺWEAKER ĺMOREĺLUSTFULĺANDĺMOREĺGULLIBLEĺANDĺHEĺFALLSĺEVENĺ HARDERĺ FORĺ -ATTYĺ7ALKERĺ +ATHLEENĺ4URNER ĺ THANĺ7ALTERĺ FALLSĺ FORĺ 0HYLLISĺ -ATTYĺ HERSELFĺ ISĺ EVENĺ MOREĺ RAVISHINGLYĺ BEAUTIFULĺ THANĺ HERĺ COUNTERPARTĺ OR ĺ ATĺ LEAST ĺ THEĺCOLLAPSEĺOFĺ(OLLYWOODlSĺ0RODUCTIONĺ#ODEĺ!DMINISTRATIONĺINĺTHEĺPERIODĺBE TWEENĺĺANDĺĺALLOWSĺTHEĺVIEWERĺTOĺSEEĺAĺGREATĺDEALĺMOREĺOFĺ4URNERlSĺ BEAUTYĺ THANĺ OFĺ 3TANWYCKlS ĺ AND ĺ AMAZINGLY ĺ SHEĺ MANAGESĺ TOĺ BEĺ EVENĺ MOREĺ CYNICALĺ ANDĺ RUTHLESSĺ (ERĺ HUSBAND ĺ LIKEWISE ĺ ISĺ EVENĺ MOREĺ REPELLENTĺ THANĺ HISĺ PREDECESSORĺ7HEREASĺ4OMĺ0OWERSlĺ$IETRICHSONĺISĺMERELYĺGRUMPY ĺTIGHT üSTEDĺ ANDĺSELF ABSORBED ĺ2ICHARDĺ#RENNAĺSKILFULLYĺPLAYSĺTHEĺSMOOTH ĺSMILINGĺ%DMUNDĺ 7ALKERĺASĺHAVINGĺMOREĺTHANĺAĺHINTĺOFĺTHEĺGENUINELYĺEVILĺABOUTĺHIMĺ/NEĺDIFFER ENCEĺBETWEENĺTHEĺTWOĺüLMSĺISĺTHEĺABSENCE ĺINĺ+ASDANlS ĺOFĺANYĺCHARACTERĺWHOĺ FULLYĺCORRESPONDSĺTOĺ"ARTONĺ+EYESĺpĺANĺIMPORTANTĺMATTERĺTOĺWHICHĺ)ĺWILLĺRETURNĺ !NOTHERĺDIFFERENCEĺISĺTHATĺ"ODYĺ(EAT ĺUNLIKEĺ$OUBLEĺ)NDEMNITY ĺDOESĺNOTĺENDĺINĺ DEATHĺ.EDĺWINDSĺUPĺINĺPRISONĺpĺEVIDENTLYĺSERVINGĺAĺLIFEĺSENTENCEĺFORĺTHEĺüRST DEGREEĺMURDERĺOFĺ%DMUNDĺpĺWHILEĺ-ATTYĺGETSĺAWAYĺSCOT FREEĺWITHĺTHEĺENTIRETYĺ OFĺ%DMUNDlSĺLARGEĺESTATEĺ)NĺTHEĺMOVIElSĺüNALĺSCENEĺSHEĺISĺSUN BATHINGĺINĺSOMEĺ UNIDENTIüEDĺTROPICALĺPARADISE

FROM DOUBLE INDEMNITY TO BODY HEAT

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)Nĺ THEĺ BESTĺ KNOWNĺ CRITICALĺ CONTRASTĺ BETWEENĺTHEĺTWOĺüLMS ĺ&REDRICĺ*AME SONĺ CELEBRATESĺ "ODYĺ (EATĺ ASĺ Aĺ kPOSTMODERNlĺ ARTEFACTĺ INĺ WHICHĺ THEĺ SENSEĺ OFĺ TEMPORALITYĺORĺHISTORICITYĺISĺSELF CONSCIOUSLYĺBLURREDĺSEEĺĺp ĺ$OUBLEĺ )NDEMNITYĺREPRESENTS ĺINĺAĺCOMPARATIVELYĺSTRAIGHTFORWARDĺWAY ĺTHEĺ!MERICAĺOFĺ THEĺSĺFORĺ7ILDERĺMAINTAINSĺTHEĺPREWARĺSETTINGĺOFĺ#AINlSĺNOVEL ĺEXPLICITLYĺDAT INGĺTHEĺACTIONĺINĺ ĺ"UT ĺSAYSĺ*AMESON ĺTHEĺAPPARENTĺĺkPRESENTlĺOFĺ+AS DANlSĺüLMĺISĺCOMPROMISEDĺNOTĺONLYĺBYĺTHEĺWAYĺTHATĺ"ODYĺ(EATĺSELF CONSCIOUSLYĺ EVOKESĺITSĺPRECURSORĺpĺSOĺTHATĺTHEĺSPIRITĺOFĺTHEĺSĺMAINTAINSĺAĺGHOSTLYĺPRES ENCEĺINĺTHEĺLATERĺüLMĺpĺBUTĺALSO ĺANDĺMOREĺINGENIOUSLY ĺBYĺTHEĺWAYSĺTHATĺ+AS DANlSĺSCRIPTĺANDĺCAMERASĺMANAGEĺTOĺAVOIDĺANYĺREFERENCEĺORĺIMAGEĺTHATĺWOULDĺ DATEĺTHEĺMOVIEĺTOOĺPRECISELYĺ4HISĺISĺAĺSHREWDĺOBSERVATION ĺANDĺ*AMESONĺMIGHTĺ HAVEĺGONEĺONĺTOĺNOTEĺTHATĺATĺSOMEĺPOINTSĺTHEĺCHRONOLOGICALĺSIGNSĺINĺ"ODYĺ(EATĺ AREĺNOTĺJUSTĺINDETERMINATEĺBUTĺPOSITIVELYĺCONFUSINGĺ0ERHAPSĺTHEĺBESTĺEXAMPLEĺ ISĺ THEĺ SEQUENCEĺ WHEREĺ .EDĺ ANDĺ -ATTY ĺ DURINGĺ THEIRĺ ADULTEROUSĺ TRANSPORTSĺ INĺ THEĺ7ALKERSlĺ&LORIDAĺMANSION ĺMUSTĺSTRUGGLEĺAGAINSTĺTHEĺBRUTALĺSUMMERĺHEATĺ +ASDANĺMERELYĺIGNORESĺTHEĺOBVIOUSĺFACTĺTHAT ĺATĺANYĺTIMEĺEVENĺVAGUELYĺAROUNDĺ  ĺ NOĺ &LORIDAĺ HOMEĺ OFĺ REMOTELYĺ COMPARABLEĺ AFČUENCEĺ WOULDĺ BEĺ WITHOUTĺ AIR CONDITIONING "UTĺ *AMESONĺ HIMSELFĺ IGNORESĺ THEĺ MOSTĺ IMPORTANTĺ ASPECTĺ OFĺ THEĺ RELATIVEĺ AHISTORICITYĺINĺ"ODYĺ(EATĺNAMELY ĺTHEĺWAYĺTHAT ĺASĺWEĺWILLĺSEE ĺTHEĺüLMlSĺWEAK ENEDĺ SENSEĺ OFĺ HISTORYĺ HELPSĺ TOĺ MAKEĺ POSSIBLEĺ +ASDANlSĺ DETERMINEDĺ ERASUREĺ OFĺTHEĺWHOLEĺPROBLEMATICĺOFĺLABOUR ĺBUSINESSĺANDĺECONOMICĺACTIVITYĺTHATĺISĺSOĺ IMPORTANTĺFORĺ$OUBLEĺ)NDEMNITYĺ)NĺTHEĺLATERĺüLMĺTHEREĺISĺNOTHINGĺATĺALLĺTHATĺCOR RESPONDSĺTOĺTHEĺ0ACIüCĺ!LLĺ2ISKĺ)NSURANCEĺ#OMPANY ĺWHICHĺINĺAĺCERTAINĺSENSEĺ MIGHTĺALMOSTĺBEĺCONSIDEREDĺTHEĺDOMINANTĺkCHARACTERlĺOFĺTHEĺEARLIERĺüLMĺ.EDĺISĺ ANĺATTORNEY ĺAĺSMALL TOWNĺSOLOĺPRACTITIONERĺAND ĺWHEREASĺ7ALTERĺ.EFFĺISĺANĺEX CELLENTĺSALESMAN ĺ.EDĺISĺAĺMISERABLYĺINCOMPETENTĺLAWYERĺpĺAĺPOINTĺESTABLISHEDĺ INĺANĺEARLYĺCOURTROOMĺSCENEĺANDĺLATERĺRATIüEDĺBYĺAĺKEYĺPLOTĺTWISTĺTHATĺDEPENDSĺ ONĺ.EDlSĺPROVENĺINABILITYĺTOĺACCOMPLISHĺSOĺELEMENTARYĺAĺLEGALĺTASKĺASĺWRITINGĺAĺ VALIDĺWILLĺ"UTĺTHEN ĺ.EDĺpĺAGAINĺEMPHATICALLYĺUNLIKEĺ7ALTERĺpĺDISLIKESĺHISĺJOBĺANY WAYĺ)NĺANĺINTERESTINGĺEXCHANGEĺBETWEENĺ.EDĺANDĺ%DMUNDĺOVERĺANĺAPPARENTLYĺ FRIENDLYĺDINNERĺWHERE ĺHOWEVER ĺTHEĺSENSEĺOFĺUNSPOKENĺTENSIONĺANDĺMENACEĺISĺ UNMISTAKABLE ĺTHEĺüLMĺCONSIDERSĺTHEĺWHOLEĺMATTERĺOFĺWORKĺONLYĺTOĺDISMISSĺIT Ned:

I don’t like it [practicing law] much. [To Matty:] Call me Ned, will you? Edmund: What’s to like? That’s the way of the world. Most people despise their jobs. Ned: Do you? Edmund: No. No, I love it. But it’s not a job. Ned: What is it exactly?

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NEO-NOIR

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THEĺ 53ĺ AUTOĺ INDUSTRYĺ $URINGĺ THEĺ POSTWARĺ BOOM ĺ $ETROITĺ HADĺ BEENĺ HOMEĺ TOĺ !MERICAlSĺ SIGNATUREĺ MANUFACTURINGĺ ENTERPRISE ĺ Aĺ BRANCHĺ OFĺ INDUSTRYĺ INĺ WHICHĺ THEĺGLOBALĺDOMINANCEĺOFĺTHEĺ53ĺHADĺSEEMEDĺINVULNERABLEĺBUTĺNOWĺDOMESTICĺ AUTO MAKINGĺWASĺINĺAĺPANICĺCAUSEDĺLARGELYĺBYĺEFüCIENTĺCOMPETITIONĺFROMĺ*APANĺ )TĺMIGHTĺBEĺADDEDĺTHAT ĺWHENĺ"ODYĺ(EATĺAPPEARED ĺ!MERICAlSĺTERRIBLEĺECONOMICĺ MALAISEĺHADĺRECENTLYĺBEENĺAGGRAVATEDĺBYĺTHEĺPOLITICALĺANDĺMORALĺHUMILIATIONSĺOFĺ THEĺ)RANIANĺHOSTAGEĺCRISISĺTHATĺBEGANĺINĺĺ 7EĺAREĺNOWĺINĺAĺPOSITION ĺTHEN ĺTOĺARTICULATEĺTHEĺFUNDAMENTALĺCONTRASTĺBE TWEENĺ7ILDERlSĺüLMĺANDĺ+ASDANlSĺpĺANDĺTOĺSEEĺTHATĺTHISĺCONTRASTĺISĺAĺFUNCTIONĺ NOTĺSOĺMUCHĺOFĺTHEĺSTRICTLYĺGENERICĺSHIFTĺFROMĺCLASSICĺNOIRĺTOĺNEO NOIRĺASĺOFĺTHEĺ PASSAGEĺFROMĺONEĺMOMENTĺTOĺANOTHERĺINĺTHEĺHISTORYĺOFĺ!MERICANĺCAPITALISMĺ!Tĺ THEĺMOMENTĺOFĺ$OUBLEĺ)NDEMNITY ĺHISTORY ĺDESPITEĺTHEĺRAVAGESĺOFĺTHEĺ$EPRES SIONĺANDĺTHEĺUNCERTAINTIESĺOFĺWARTIME ĺISĺSTILLĺGOINGĺWITHĺTHEĺ5NITEDĺ3TATESĺSOĺ THATĺITĺISĺNOĺSURPRISEĺTOĺüNDĺTHISĺ!MERICANĺüLMĺPOSSESSINGĺSUCHĺAĺKEENĺSENSEĺ OFĺITSĺOWNĺPOSITIONĺINĺTHEĺMARCHĺOFĺTIMEĺ4HEĺ!MERICANĺWORKĺETHICĺISĺALIVEĺANDĺ WELL ĺANDĺWORKĺCANĺBEĺAMPLYĺANDĺPROPERLYĺREWARDEDĺ$ESPITEĺTHEĺüLMlSĺTRAGICĺ ENDINGĺ FORĺ7ALTERĺ ANDĺ 0HYLLISĺ pĺ AND ĺ INDIRECTLY ĺ FORĺ +EYESĺ pĺ THEREĺ REMAINSĺ ANĺ UNDERLYINGĺOPTIMISMĺCONDENSEDĺINĺTHEĺFACTĺTHATĺTHEĺENDINGĺISĺINĺFACTĺPERFECTLYĺ HAPPYĺ FORĺ THEĺ MOVIElSĺ LARGESTĺ kCHARACTERl ĺ THEĺ 0ACIüCĺ!LLĺ 2ISKĺ )NSURANCEĺ #OM PANYĺ3UCHĺOPTIMISMĺSEEMSĺWELLĺFOUNDEDĺ)TĺISĺREASONABLEĺTOĺSUPPOSEĺTHAT ĺINĺ THEĺPARALLELĺUNIVERSEĺWHEREĺTHEĺ0ACIüCĺ!LLĺ2ISKĺACTUALLYĺEXISTS ĺTHEĺüRMĺWENTĺONĺ TOĺGROWĺMIGHTILYĺDURINGĺTHEĺPOSTWARĺBOOMĺAND ĺEVENĺAFTERĺTHEĺBOOMĺCOLLAPSEDĺ pĺBYĺ ĺSAYĺpĺWASĺCONTINUING ĺASĺAĺMEMBERĺOFĺTHEĺCHARMEDĺRINGĺOFĺ&)2% ĺTOĺ RAKEĺINĺPROüTSĺTHATĺWOULDĺHAVEĺASTOUNDEDĺTHEĺLATEĺ-Rĺ+EYESĺANDĺTHATĺEVENĺTHEĺ INEPTITUDEĺOFĺTHEĺAGEINGĺ-Rĺ.ORTONĺCOULDĺNOTĺSPOIL &ORĺMOSTĺ!MERICANS ĺHOWEVER ĺHISTORYĺISĺCLEARLYĺGOINGĺAGAINSTĺTHEIRĺCOUNTRYĺ BYĺĺANDĺ"ODYĺ(EATĺRESPONDSĺBYĺTURNINGĺITSĺBACKĺONĺHISTORYĺ4HISĺISĺTHEĺDEEPĺ LOGICĺOFĺTHEĺDELIBERATEĺkPOSTMODERNlĺFUZZINESSĺTHATĺTHEĺüLMĺADOPTSĺWITHĺRELATIONĺ TOĺITSĺOWNĺTEMPORALĺSETTINGĺAND ĺSINCEĺITĺISĺULTIMATELYĺNOTHINGĺOTHERĺTHANĺHUMANĺ LABOURĺTHATĺMAKESĺHUMANĺHISTORY ĺTHEĺRETREATĺFROMĺHISTORYĺISĺATĺONEĺWITHĺTHEĺ LARGERĺRETREATĺFROMĺWORKĺITSELFĺ)NĺAĺSOCIETYĺINĺWHICHĺTHEĺABILITYĺTOĺCREATEĺACTUALĺ WEALTHĺISĺSTEEPLYĺDECLININGĺINĺRELATIONĺTOĺTHEĺMANIPULATIONĺOFĺTHEĺPAPERĺPROüTSĺOFĺ &)2% ĺLABOURĺBECOMESĺANĺINCREASINGLYĺUNCONGENIALĺANDĺMARGINALĺTOPICĺ%DMUNDĺ 7ALKERĺIS ĺINĺAĺWAY ĺPERFECTLYĺRIGHTĺTOĺSAYĺTHATĺWHATĺHEĺDOESĺINĺORDERĺTOĺGETĺMON EYĺISĺkNOTĺAĺJOBlĺ7HOLLYĺENGAGED ĺITĺSEEMS ĺONĺTHEĺWILDERĺILLEGALĺSHORESĺOFĺ&)2% ĺ HEĺDOESĺNOTĺHOLDĺAĺJOBĺINĺANYĺSENSEĺTHATĺAĺTRADITIONALĺFACTORYĺWORKERĺpĺORĺ3AMĺ 'ARLOPISĺpĺORĺEVENĺ7ALTERĺ.EFFĺORĺ"ARTONĺ+EYESĺpĺWOULDĺUNDERSTANDĺTHEĺTERMĺ 7HATĺMAINLYĺDISTINGUISHESĺ-ATTYĺANDĺ.EDĺFROMĺ%DMUNDĺISĺTHAT ĺWHEREASĺ %DMUNDlSĺENTREPRENEURIALĺINTELLIGENCEĺAPPEARSĺTOĺBEĺRAZOR SHARP ĺ-ATTYlSĺONLYĺ CONSPICUOUSĺ TALENTĺ ISĺ FORĺ HEARTLESSĺ SEDUCTIONĺ ANDĺ MURDEROUSĺ SCHEMINGĺ ANDĺ POORĺ.EDĺDOESĺNOTĺSEEMĺTOĺPOSSESSĺANYĺREALĺTALENTSĺATĺALLĺ"OTHĺYEARNĺONLYĺFORĺ LEISUREĺ-ATTYĺACHIEVESĺITĺTHEĺüNALĺSHOTĺOFĺHERĺONĺAĺSUN DRENCHEDĺBEACHĺISĺASĺ

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PUREĺANDĺEMPHATICĺANĺIMAGEĺOFĺLEISUREĺASĺAĺDIRECTORĺCOULDĺOFFERĺ.ED ĺLESSĺHAPPI LY ĺWINDSĺUPĺINĺPRISON ĺENDURINGĺANĺEXISTENCEĺTHATĺAMOUNTSĺTOĺAĺHIDEOUSĺPARODYĺ OFĺLEISUREĺ)RONICALLYĺENOUGH ĺTHOUGH ĺITĺISĺWHILEĺBEHINDĺBARSĺTHATĺ.ED ĺEVIDENTLYĺ FORĺTHEĺüRSTĺTIMEĺINĺHISĺLIFE ĺBECOMESĺGENUINELYĺENGAGEDĺINĺSOMEĺPURPOSEFULĺ WORKĺ(EĺSUSPECTSĺTHATĺ-ATTY ĺWHOMĺTHEĺPOLICEĺBELIEVEĺTOĺHAVEĺBEENĺBLOWNĺUPĺ INĺANĺEXPLOSIONĺTHATĺSHEĺHERSELFĺSET ĺISĺACTUALLYĺALIVEĺANDĺWELLĺANDĺHEĺPERFORMSĺ SOMEĺQUITEĺCREDITABLEĺDETECTIVEĺWORKĺWHICHĺEVENĺ+EYESĺHIMSELFĺMIGHTĺHAVEĺ ADMIRED ĺTOĺESTABLISHĺTHATĺTHISĺISĺTRUEĺ"UTĺSOĺWHATĺ)TĺIS ĺOFĺCOURSE ĺTOOĺLATEĺ!Sĺ HEĺLIESĺTRAPPEDĺINĺHISĺTINYĺCELLĺLIKEĺANĺANIMALĺINĺAĺCAGE ĺWORKĺpĺANDĺEVERYTHINGĺ ELSEĺpĺHAVEĺREALLYĺENDEDĺFORĺ.EDĺ2ACINE ĺTHEĺSHININGĺALL !MERICANĺANTI HEROĺATĺ THEĺDAWNĺOFĺTHEĺ!GEĺOFĺ2EAGAN

NOTES 1ĺĺ 7ILDERĺACTUALLYĺSHOTĺTHEĺGAS CHAMBERĺSEQUENCE ĺANDĺLATERĺDESCRIBEDĺITĺASĺONEĺOFĺTHEĺ

TWOĺüNESTĺSEQUENCESĺHEĺEVERĺDIRECTEDĺ%XCLUDEDĺFROMĺTHEĺüLMlSĺüNALĺCUT ĺITĺHASĺEVI DENTLYĺBEENĺLOSTĺSEEĺ3IKOVĺĺĺANDĺ.AREMOREĺĺp  2ĺĺ )TĺMAYĺBEĺNOĺCOINCIDENCEĺTHATĺ#RENNAĺHADĺPLAYEDĺ7ALTERĺ.EFFĺINĺ*ACKĺ3MIGHTlSĺUNDIS

TINGUISHEDĺĺTELEVISIONĺMOVIEĺVERSIONĺOFĺ$OUBLEĺ)NDEMNITY ĺWHICHĺATTEMPTS ĺVERYĺ CLUMSILY ĺ TOĺ FOLLOWĺ7ILDERlSĺ ORIGINALĺ CLOSELYĺ ITĺ ISĺ BARELY ĺ WORTHĺ WATCHINGĺ FORĺ ,EEĺ *ĺ #OBBlSĺPERFORMANCEĺASĺ"ARTONĺ+EYES 3ĺĺ 4HEĺBEACHĺSCENE ĺWITHĺMOUNTAINSĺINĺTHEĺBACKGROUND ĺLOOKSĺASĺTHOUGHĺITĺCOULDĺBEĺINĺ

(AWAIIĺBUTĺ-ATTYĺISĺPRESUMABLYĺSHREWDĺENOUGHĺTOĺAPPRECIATEĺTHEĺWISDOMĺOFĺBEINGĺ FARTHERĺREMOVEDĺFROMĺ53ĺLAWĺENFORCEMENTĺAUTHORITIES 4ĺĺ )Sĺ THISĺ THEĺ TRUTHĺ OFĺ 3AMĺ -ALONE ĺ $ANSONlSĺ #ASANOVA LIKEĺ CHARACTERĺ INĺ THEĺ POPULARĺ

TELEVISIONĺSITCOMĺ#HEERSĺp ĺWHICHĺ$ANSONĺMADEĺALMOSTĺIMMEDIATELYĺAFTERĺ "ODYĺ(EAT 5ĺĺ 4HEĺTERMĺIMMISERATIONĺISĺUSEDĺHEREĺINĺITSĺPRECISEĺ-ARXISTĺSENSEĺIE ĺTOĺREFERĺNOTĺNEC

ESSARILYĺTOĺkMISERYlĺINĺANYĺCOLLOQUIALĺORĺABSOLUTEĺSENSEĺBUTĺTOĺAĺWIDENINGĺDISCREPANCYĺ INĺTHEĺSTANDARDĺOFĺCONSUMPTIONĺBETWEENĺTHOSEĺWHOĺPRODUCEĺSURPLUS VALUEĺANDĺTHOSEĺ WHOĺEXTRACTĺIT 6ĺĺ 3EEĺ "RENNERĺ  ĺ FORĺ THEĺ MOSTĺ NEARLYĺ DEüNITIVEĺ TREATMENTĺ TOĺ DATEĺ OFĺ THEĺ GLOBALĺ

TURBULENCEĺOFĺPOSTWARĺCAPITALISM

REFERENCES "RENNER ĺ 2OBERTĺ  ĺ k5NEVENĺ $EVELOPMENTĺ ANDĺ THEĺ ,ONGĺ $OWNTURNĺ4HEĺ !DVANCEDĺ #APITALISTĺ%CONOMIESĺFROMĺ"OOMĺTOĺ3TAGNATION ĺpl ĺ.EWĺ,EFTĺ2EVIEW ĺ ĺ pĺ

FROM DOUBLE INDEMNITY TO BODY HEAT

73

#AIN ĺ*AMESĺ-ĺ ĺ$OUBLEĺ)NDEMNITYĺ.EWĺ9ORKĺ2ANDOMĺ(OUSEĺ #ROWE ĺ#AMERONĺ ĺ#ONVERSATIONSĺWITHĺ7ILDERĺ.EWĺ9ORKĺ+NOPF *AMESON ĺ&REDRICĺ ĺ0OSTMODERNISM ĺ/R ĺ4HEĺ#ULTURALĺ,OGICĺOFĺ,ATEĺ#APITALISMĺ,ON DONĺ6ERSO .AREMORE ĺ*AMESĺ ĺ-OREĺTHANĺ.IGHTĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺINĺITSĺ#ONTEXTSĺ"ERKELEYĺ#ALIFORNIAĺ 5NIVERSITYĺ0RESS 3IKOV ĺ%Dĺ ĺ/Nĺ3UNSETĺ"OULEVARDĺ4HEĺ,IFEĺANDĺ4IMESĺOFĺ"ILLYĺ7ILDERĺ.EWĺ9ORKĺ(Y PERION

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5 Worlds Without Consequence: Two Versions of Film Noir in the 1980s EDWARD GALLAFENT

(OWĺWASĺüLMĺNOIRĺPRESENTĺINĺTHEĺCRIMEPOLICEĺTHRILLERĺOFĺTHEĺMID Sĺ)ĺWANTĺ TOĺ CONSIDERĺ TWOĺ üLMSĺ IMBUEDĺ WITHĺ NOIRĺ ELEMENTS ĺ BUTĺ WHICHĺ DOĺ NOTĺ IDENTIFYĺ THEMSELVESĺ EXCLUSIVELYĺ WITHĺ ITĺ4HEYĺ ARTICULATEĺ FORĺ USĺ WHYĺ THEYĺ CANNOTĺ REPRO DUCEĺCLASSICALĺNOIRĺINĺBOTHĺCASESĺITĺISĺTHEĺLIMITATIONSĺOFĺTHEĺMEANINGSĺANDĺFUNC TIONSĺOFĺSEXUALĺDESIREĺINĺTHEĺüLMSlĺSĺWORLDSĺTHATĺISĺTHEĺISSUEĺ4HEĺüLMSĺAREĺ *AGGEDĺ%DGEĺANDĺ4Oĺ,IVEĺANDĺ$IEĺINĺ,! ĺWHICHĺAREĺBOTHĺSETĺINĺCONTEMPORARYĺ #ALIFORNIAĺANDĺWEREĺRELEASEDĺWITHINĺAĺSHORTĺPERIODĺOFĺEACHĺOTHERĺINĺTHEĺAUTUMNĺ OFĺĺ!LTHOUGHĺTHEYĺDEALĺWITHĺSUBJECTSĺTHATĺMIGHTĺBEĺAPPROPRIATEĺTOĺNOIR ĺANDĺ FOREGROUNDĺONEĺORĺTWOĺCHARACTERISTICĺSIGNSĺOFĺIT ĺTHEYĺUSEĺTHEMĺINĺSUCHĺAĺWAYĺ ASĺTOĺPROCLAIMĺTHEIRĺDISTANCEĺFROMĺCLASSICALĺNOIRĺ4HISĺMAYĺBEĺAĺWAYĺOFĺINSISTINGĺ ONĺTHEIRĺMODERNITY ĺTHEIRĺFREEDOMĺFROMĺTHEĺKINDĺOFĺPROJECTĺWHEREĺWEĺAREĺEITHERĺ ASKEDĺTOĺRETURNĺTOĺTHEĺPASTĺORĺTOĺREČECTĺONĺTHEĺPOVERTYĺOFĺTHEĺPRESENTĺINĺCOM PARISONĺTOĺAĺREMEMBEREDĺBUTĺLOSTĺWORLDĺ )ĺWILLĺBEGINĺWITHĺ*AGGEDĺ%DGE ĺINĺWHICHĺONEĺNOIRĺELEMENTĺISĺVERYĺPLAINĺ)TĺISĺ THEĺüGUREĺOFĺAĺPRIVATEĺINVESTIGATOR ĺAĺSINGLEĺMANĺFROMĺAĺGENERATIONĺOLDERĺTHANĺ THATĺOFĺTHEĺPRINCIPALĺCHARACTERS ĺONEĺWHOĺISĺGOODĺATĺHISĺJOB ĺDRINKSĺTOOĺMUCH ĺ WASĺ üREDĺ FROMĺ HISĺ POSITIONĺ ATĺ THEĺ $ISTRICTĺ !TTORNEYlSĺ OFüCEĺ WHENĺ UNABLEĺ TOĺ STOMACHĺAĺüX ĺANDĺAFFECTSĺAĺCYNICALĺVIEWĺOFĺTHEĺüGURESĺAROUNDĺHIM ĺESPECIALLYĺ THEĺMENĺ(EĺEVENĺHASĺAĺNAMEĺWHICHĺSOUNDSĺASĺIFĺITĺISĺONLYĺONEĺJUMPĺAWAYĺFROMĺ THEĺCLASSICĺTEXTSĺ3AMĺ2ANSOMĺ2OBERTĺ,OGGIA  3AMĺ ISĺ Aĺ MINOR ĺ ALTHOUGHĺ NOTĺ UNIMPORTANTĺ CHARACTERĺ INĺ THEĺ üLMlSĺPLOTĺ (Eĺ DOESĺTHEĺDONKEYĺWORKĺOFĺINVESTIGATIONĺANDĺHEĺISĺPRESENTĺATĺTHEĺDENOUEMENTĺ (ISĺPOSITIONĺINĺTHEĺüLMĺMARKSĺAĺSHIFTĺFROMĺTHEĺTERMSĺOFĺCLASSICALĺNOIR ĺTHEĺONCEĺ CENTRALĺüGUREĺREDUCEDĺTOĺAĺSUPPORTINGĺROLEĺ"UTĺWHILEĺTHISĺISĺTHEĺOVERTĺCONNEC TION ĺTHEREĺAREĺOTHERĺLESSĺOBVIOUSĺWAYSĺINĺWHICHĺ*AGGEDĺ%DGEĺDEPENDSĺONĺELE MENTSĺDRAWNĺFROMĺNOIRĺANDĺTOĺREADĺTHOSEĺWEĺNEEDĺTOĺCONSIDERĺITSĺACTIONĺ

TWO VERSIONS OF FILM NOIR IN THE 1980S

75

)ĺWILLĺGIVEĺAĺRÀSUMÀĺOFĺTHEĺMAINĺLINESĺOFĺTHEĺPLOTĺ!FTERĺAĺGLAMOROUSĺESTAB LISHINGĺSHOTĺOFĺTHEĺ'OLDENĺ'ATEĺBRIDGE ĺITĺTURNSĺTOĺNIGHTĺANDĺFOULĺWEATHERĺANDĺ TOĺ ANĺ ISOLATEDĺ LUXURYĺ HOUSEĺ ONĺ THEĺ COAST ĺ INĺ WHICHĺ TWOĺ WOMENĺ AREĺ BRUTALLYĺ MURDEREDĺBYĺAĺüGUREĺWHOSEĺFACEĺISĺCONCEALEDĺBYĺAĺMASKĺ4HEYĺAREĺTHEĺWIFEĺOFĺ THEĺRICHĺCOUPLEĺWHOĺLIVEĺHERE ĺANDĺHERĺMAIDĺ4HEĺTHIRDĺOCCUPANTĺOFĺTHEĺHOUSEĺISĺ THEĺHUSBAND ĺWHOĺHASĺBEENĺTAKENĺTOĺHOSPITALĺWITHĺHEADĺINJURIESĺ4HEĺüLMĺOFFERSĺ USĺITSĺCENTRALĺCONUNDRUMĺISĺITĺPOSSIBLEĺTHATĺTHEĺINJURIESĺAREĺSELF INČICTEDĺANDĺTHEĺ HUSBANDĺMURDEREDĺTHEĺTWOĺWOMENĺ/RĺAREĺALLĺTHREEĺTHEĺVICTIMĺOFĺANĺUNKNOWNĺ PSYCHOPATHĺpĺkSOMEĺFUCKINGĺ#HARLIEĺ-ANSONlĺASĺ$ISTRICTĺ!TTORNEYĺ+RASNYĺ0ETERĺ #OYOTE ĺSAYSĺ4HEĺWORDSĺREMINDĺUSĺTHATĺSUCHĺTHINGSĺDOĺHAPPEN ĺBUTĺTHATĺTHESEĺ FEARSĺCANĺBEĺMANIPULATED ĺUSEDĺTOĺPROVIDEĺAĺCOVERĺFORĺTHEĺMURDERĺOFĺAĺSPOUSEĺ 4HEĺPROFESSIONALSĺINĺTHEĺCRIMEĺBUSINESSĺpĺTHEĺ$ISTRICTĺ!TTORNEYĺANDĺHISĺAS SISTANTSĺpĺRAPIDLYĺCOMEĺUPĺWITHĺAĺMOTIVEĺANDĺAĺSKETCHĺOFĺAĺPLOTĺ4HEYĺSEEĺAĺRICHĺ WIFEĺ WHOĺ ISĺ ABOUTĺ TOĺ DIVORCEĺ HERĺ HUSBAND ĺ Aĺ MANĺ WHOĺ STANDSĺ TOĺ INHERITĺ HISĺ WIFElSĺBUSINESSĺEMPIREĺ7HENĺAĺWITNESSĺCLAIMSĺTOĺHAVEĺSEENĺAĺKNIFEĺWITHĺAĺJAG GEDĺEDGEĺINĺTHEĺHUSBANDlSĺLOCKER ĺTHEYĺCHARGEĺHIMĺWITHĺTHEĺMURDERSĺ4HEĺMANlSĺ LAWYERSĺWANTĺTOĺSENDĺFORĺAĺTOPĺDEFENDERĺFROMĺ.EWĺ9ORK ĺBUTĺHEĺTELLSĺTHEMĺHEĺ WANTSĺSOMEONEĺLOCALĺ!SĺTHISĺCONVERSATIONĺENDS ĺWEĺCUTĺTOĺTHEĺüRSTĺSHOTĺOFĺTHEĺ TOP BILLEDĺSTARĺOFĺTHEĺüLM ĺ4EDDYĺ"ARNESĺ'LENNĺ#LOSE ĺ2ESPONDINGĺTOĺTHEĺOFFERĺ OFĺ Aĺ PARTNERSHIPĺ INĺ THEĺ LAWĺ üRM ĺ SHEĺ AGREESĺ TOĺ MEETĺ THEĺ MANĺ ACCUSED ĺ *ACKĺ &ORRESTERĺ*EFFĺ"RIDGES ĺ !FTERĺ VARIOUSĺ PIECESĺ OFĺ BUSINESSĺ THATĺ )ĺ WILLĺ RETURNĺ TO ĺ SHEĺ AGREESĺ TOĺ TAKEĺ THEĺCASEĺ!SĺTHEĺINVESTIGATIONĺPROCEEDS ĺSOĺDOESĺAĺSEDUCTION ĺWHICHĺRESULTSĺINĺ 4EDDYĺANDĺ*ACKĺSLEEPINGĺTOGETHERĺFORĺTHEĺüRSTĺTIMEĺONĺTHEĺNIGHTĺPRECEDINGĺTHEĺ BEGINNINGĺOFĺTHEĺTRIALĺpĺASĺIFĺTHEIRĺBEINGĺLOVERSĺWEREĺFORĺONEĺORĺBOTHĺOFĺTHEMĺAĺ NECESSARYĺPRELIMINARYĺTOĺITĺ 7HENĺITĺISĺREVEALEDĺINĺCOURTĺTHATĺ*ACKĺHADĺANĺAFFAIRĺWHICHĺHEĺCONCEALEDĺFROMĺ 4EDDY ĺSHEĺBRIEČYĺLOSESĺPARTĺOFĺHERĺCONüDENCEĺINĺHIM ĺBUTĺCONTINUESĺWITHĺTHEĺ CASE ĺ ACCEPTINGĺ THEĺ REASONABLEĺ FACTĺ THATĺ LYINGĺ ABOUTĺ ANĺ AFFAIRĺ DOESĺ NOTĺ SHOWĺ THATĺHEĺMURDEREDĺHISĺWIFEĺ3HEĺNOWĺHASĺWHATĺAPPEARĺTOĺBEĺTWOĺLUCKYĺBREAKS ĺ ONEĺTHEĺDISCREDITINGĺOFĺTHEĺWITNESSĺWHOĺCLAIMEDĺTOĺHAVEĺSEENĺTHEĺKNIFE ĺANDĺ ONEĺ WHICHĺ ISĺ THEĺ PRODUCTĺ OFĺ Aĺ SERIESĺ OFĺ ANONYMOUSĺ LETTERSĺ4HISĺ INVOLVESĺ THEĺ üLMlSĺVERSIONĺOFĺAĺ-ANSON ĺAĺüGUREĺWHOĺMAYĺPOSSIBLYĺBEĺGUILTYĺOFĺANĺEARLIERĺ ASSAULTĺONĺANOTHERĺWOMANĺANDĺOFĺMURDERINGĺ*ACKlSĺWIFEĺ3HEĺISĺABLEĺTOĺSKETCHĺ AĺPLAUSIBLE ĺALTERNATIVEĺPLOTĺEXPLAININGĺTHEĺMURDERSĺTOĺTHEĺJURY ĺWHOĺDULYĺBRINGĺ INĺAĺNOTĺGUILTYĺVERDICTĺ 4HEREĺSEEMSĺTOĺBEĺAĺHESITATIONĺONĺHERĺPART ĺBUTĺSHEĺOVERCOMESĺITĺpĺAFTERĺALL ĺ AĺJURYĺHASĺFOUNDĺTHISĺMANĺNOTĺGUILTY ĺSOĺHEĺISĺNOTĺGUILTYĺpĺANDĺSHEĺRETURNSĺTOĺHISĺ HOME ĺANDĺHISĺBEDĺ7HENĺSHEĺWAKES ĺAFTERĺAĺLONGĺSLEEP ĺSHEĺSTUMBLESĺACROSSĺ AĺPIECEĺOFĺINCONTROVERTIBLEĺEVIDENCEĺOFĺHISĺGUILTĺTHEĺTYPEWRITERĺONĺWHICHĺTHEĺ ANONYMOUSĺLETTERSĺWEREĺPRODUCEDĺ3HEĺČEESĺTOĺHERĺHOME ĺINĺDUEĺCOURSEĺLETTINGĺ HIMĺKNOWĺTHATĺSHEĺHASĺFOUNDĺTHEĺTYPEWRITERĺ4HEĺüLMĺNOWĺSEEMSĺTOĺREPRISEĺITSĺ

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NEO-NOIR

OPENINGĺMOMENTS ĺWITHĺTHEĺMASKEDĺüGUREĺBEARINGĺTHEĺKNIFEĺMAKINGĺHISĺWAYĺ THROUGHĺAĺHOUSEĺTOĺüNDĺAĺWOMANĺINĺBEDĺ/NLYĺTHISĺWOMANĺSHOOTSĺHIMĺDEADĺANDĺ THEĺMASKĺISĺPULLEDĺOFFĺTOĺCONüRMĺTHATĺTHISĺISĺ*ACK ĺGUILTYĺALLĺALONGĺ

Forms of explanation )NĺTHEĺOPENINGĺPARTĺOFĺTHEĺüLMĺWEĺWILLĺHAVEĺASKEDĺTWOĺQUESTIONSĺORĺNEEDEDĺ TWOĺEXPLANATIONS ĺANDĺTHESEĺAREĺRELATEDĺTOĺQUESTIONSĺTHATĺ4EDDYĺISĺASKED ĺANDĺ ASKSĺOFĺHERSELFĺ/NEĺIS ĺWHYĺDOESĺSHEĺAGREEĺTOĺTAKEĺTHEĺCASEĺ!NDĺTHEĺOTHER ĺ DEPENDENT ĺ OFĺ COURSE ĺ ONĺ THEĺ üRST ĺ ISĺ WHYĺ DOESĺ SHEĺ WANTĺ TOĺ SLEEPĺ WITHĺ THISĺ MANĺ/R ĺWHYĺISĺSHEĺUNABLEĺTOĺPREVENTĺHERSELFĺFROMĺDOINGĺSO ĺGIVENĺWHATĺHEĺ MAYĺHAVEĺDONEĺ*AGGEDĺ%DGEĺSUPPLIESĺTWOĺFORMSĺOFĺANSWERSĺTOĺTHESEĺQUES TIONSĺAĺLITERALĺPIECEĺOFĺPLOTTINGĺWHICHĺHASĺNOTHINGĺTOĺDOĺWITHĺTHEĺTERMSĺOFĺüLMĺ NOIRĺANDĺAĺNARRATIVEĺOFĺDESIREĺWHICHĺDOESĺHAVEĺNOIRĺORIGINSĺ 4HEĺüRSTĺISĺAĺSLIGHTLYĺOVER ELABORATEĺPIECEĺOFĺPLOTĺTOĺDOĺWITHĺMORALĺGUILTĺANDĺ REDEMPTIONĺ7EĺLEARNĺTHATĺWHENĺSHEĺWORKEDĺINĺTHEĺ$!lSĺOFüCEĺ4EDDYĺASSISTEDĺ +RASNYĺINĺTHEĺPROSECUTIONĺOFĺ3TILES ĺAĺCAREERĺCRIMINALĺWHOĺWASĺCONVICTEDĺDE SPITEĺ EVIDENCEĺ THATĺ WOULDĺ HAVEĺ CLEAREDĺ HIM ĺ WHICHĺ WASĺ WITHHELDĺ BYĺ +RASNYĺ WITHĺ4EDDYlSĺ ATĺ LEASTĺ IMPLICITĺ CONSENTĺ 3TILESĺ HASĺ COMMITTEDĺ SUICIDEĺ INĺ PRISONĺ ANDĺ4EDDY ĺFACINGĺHISĺMOTHERĺ0HYLLISĺ!PPLEGATE ĺATĺTHEĺFUNERAL ĺRECOGNISESĺHERĺ GUILTĺINĺTHEĺEYESĺOFĺANOTHERĺMOTHERĺ3OĺTOĺDEFENDĺ*ACKĺISĺTOĺTAKEĺANOTHERĺINDI VIDUALĺACCUSEDĺBYĺ+RASNYĺANDĺTOĺINVITEĺHISTORYĺTOĺREPEATĺITSELFĺWHICHĺITĺOBLIG INGLYĺDOESĺpĺ+RASNYĺWITHHOLDSĺEVIDENCEĺAGAIN ĺBUTĺTHISĺTIMEĺTOĺOPPOSITEĺEFFECT ĺ TOĺ EXPOSEĺ THEĺ CORRUPTIONĺ OFĺ THEĺ $!lSĺ OFüCEĺ ANDĺ TOĺ FREEĺ ANĺ INNOCENTĺ MANĺ )Tĺ SEEMSĺTHATĺTHISĺLOGICĺHASĺBEENĺFOLLOWEDĺTHROUGH ĺASĺTHEĺVERDICTĺISĺFOLLOWEDĺBYĺ AĺPUBLICĺSTATEMENTĺFROMĺ4EDDYĺLINKINGĺ+RASNYlSĺBEHAVIOURĺINĺTHEĺTWOĺCASESĺANDĺ EXCULPATINGĺ3TILES ĺAGAINĺUNDERĺTHEĺGAZEĺOFĺTHEĺMOTHERĺ4HEĺFACTĺTHATĺ3TILESĺWASĺ BLACKĺUNDERLINESĺTHEĺTHOUGHTĺTHATĺTHISĺISĺBEINGĺOFFEREDĺASĺAĺRELATIVELYĺSTRAIGHTFOR WARDĺNARRATIVEĺOFĺGUILTĺANDĺREDEMPTION ĺTHATĺ3TILESĺWASĺANĺOBVIOUSĺVICTIMĺOFĺTHEĺ WHITE ĺRUTHLESSĺ$! ĺ )ĺWANTĺTOĺARGUEĺTHATĺTHEĺ3TILESĺPLOTĺISĺTHEĺMERESTĺCOVERĺFORĺ4EDDYlSĺBEHAVIOURĺ %VENĺTHOUGHĺSHEĺMIGHTĺCLAIMĺITĺASĺHERĺMOTIVATIONĺINĺDEFENDINGĺ*ACK ĺITĺISĺLESSĺ IMPORTANTĺTHANĺTHEĺOTHERĺDRIVESĺTHATĺTHEĺüLMĺEXPOSESĺ

Desire and the homme fatalĺ 4HEĺISSUEĺHEREĺOFĺCOURSEĺISĺ4EDDYlSĺDESIREĺFORĺ*ACKĺANDĺTHISĺCANĺBEĺUNDERSTOODĺ EASILYĺIFĺWEĺNOTICEĺTHATĺ*AGGEDĺ%DGEĺREPRODUCESĺMANYĺELEMENTSĺOFĺTHEĺSTRUC TUREĺOFĺRELATIONSHIPSĺOFĺCLASSICĺüLMĺNOIR ĺWHILEĺREVERSINGĺTHEĺGENDERINGĺOFĺTHEĺ ROLESĺ3Oĺ4EDDYĺpĺTHEĺAMBIGUOUSLYĺGENDEREDĺNAMEĺISĺAĺHINTĺFORĺUSĺpĺISĺINĺTHEĺPO SITIONĺOFĺTHEĺNOIRĺHERO ĺPOSEDĺBETWEENĺTWOĺüGURESĺOFĺTHEĺOPPOSITEĺSEXĺ4HEYĺAREĺ -ATTHEWĺ'UYĺ"OYD ĺHERĺEX HUSBAND ĺWHOSEĺENTIRELYĺBENIGNĺROLEĺMAKESĺSENSEĺ

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ONCEĺWEĺASSOCIATEĺITĺWITHĺTHEĺNOIRĺROLEĺOFĺTHEĺGOODDOMESTICĺWOMANĺ/NĺTHEĺ OTHERĺHANDĺSHEĺISĺFATALLYĺATTRACTEDĺTOĺAĺBEAUTIFULĺBODYĺTHATĺCOMBINESĺTHEĺPOWERĺ OFĺSEDUCTIONĺWITHĺDEADLINESSĺ/NLYĺHEREĺTHEĺBODYĺISĺMALEĺTHEĺSTRUCTURALĺPOSI TIONĺOFĺTHEĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺHASĺBEENĺTAKENĺBYĺ*ACKĺ!GAIN ĺTHEĺNAMEĺISĺPRESUM ABLYĺAĺHINTĺFORĺANĺAUDIENCEĺWHO ĺEVENĺINĺ ĺWOULDĺHAVEĺHEARDĺTHEĺECHOĺOFĺTHEĺ NAMEĺOFĺAĺGLAMOROUSĺ!MERICANĺPRESIDENTĺLINKEDĺTOĺNOTORIOUSĺTALESĺOFĺSEDUCTIONĺ !NDĺ*ACKĺBEGINSĺTHEĺüLMĺINĺAĺFAMILIARĺPOSITION ĺANALOGOUSĺTOĺTHATĺOFĺTHEĺFEMMEĺ FATALEĺCONTAINEDĺBYĺAĺMARRIAGEĺINĺWHICHĺTHEĺNATUREĺOFĺTHEĺSEXUALĺRELATIONSHIPĺISĺ CLOUDYĺBUTĺWHEREĺTHEĺPOWERĺISĺBASEDĺONĺTHEĺRETENTIONĺOFĺüNANCIALĺCONTROLĺBYĺ THEĺSPOUSEĺpĺ%LSAĺ"ANNISTERĺ2ITAĺ(AYWORTH ĺINĺ4HEĺ,ADYĺFROMĺ3HANGHAIĺ ĺ FORĺEXAMPLEĺ/NCEĺWEĺHAVEĺRECOGNISEDĺTHISĺSTRUCTURE ĺWEĺCANĺANALYSEĺ4EDDYlSĺ BEHAVIOURĺINĺTERMSĺOFĺTHEĺPERVERSEĺELEMENTSĺTYPICALĺOFĺNOIR ĺINĺWHICHĺTHEĺHERO ĺ LUREDĺBYĺTHEĺHOMMEĺFATAL ĺBECOMESĺAĺVICTIMĺOFĺHERĺOWNĺDESIRES 4HEĺBACKGROUNDĺTOĺTHISĺISĺAĺFAMILIARĺSTORYĺOFĺDOMESTICITYĺANDĺITSĺRELATIONĺTOĺ SEXUALĺ SATISFACTIONĺ7Eĺ LEARNĺ THATĺ4EDDYĺ ISĺ DIVORCED ĺ WITHĺ TWOĺ SMALLĺ CHILDRENĺ WHOĺLIVEĺWITHĺHER ĺANDĺTHATĺSHEĺISĺONĺFRIENDLYĺTERMSĺWITHĺHERĺEX HUSBANDĺ(Eĺ CLEARLYĺ SHOWSĺ INTERESTĺ INĺ REVIVINGĺ THEIRĺ SEXUALĺ RELATIONSHIPĺ AFTERĺ LEAVINGĺ HISĺ SLEEPINGĺCHILDRENĺATĺTHEĺCLOSEĺOFĺAĺVISIT ĺHEĺATTEMPTSĺTOĺKISSĺ4EDDYĺ4WOĺELEMENTSĺ OFĺTHEĺMOMENTĺAREĺINTERESTINGĺpĺONEĺTHATĺITĺTAKESĺPLACEĺINĺTHEĺCHILDRENlSĺROOM ĺ ANDĺTHEĺOTHERĺTHATĺ4EDDYĺISĺWEARINGĺAĺGARMENTĺTHATĺCONTRASTSĺWITHĺMOSTĺOFĺHERĺ COSTUMESĺAĺBRIGHTĺREDĺHOUSECOATĺ4HISĺGARMENTĺAPPEARSĺINĺANOTHER ĺLATERĺSE QUENCEĺINĺ4EDDYlSĺBEDROOM ĺWHENĺSHEĺDISCUSSESĺBOYSĺWITHĺHERĺDAUGHTER ĺWHOĺ GOESĺONĺTOĺTELLĺ4EDDYĺHOWĺMUCHĺSHEĺMISSESĺHERĺFATHERĺ3OĺTHEĺüLMĺOFFERSĺTHEĺ DOMESTICFAMILYĺWORLDĺASĺAĺSPACEĺINĺWHICHĺDESIREĺCANĺBEĺVARIOUSLYĺEXPLICITLYĺANDĺ IMPLICITLYĺEXPRESSED ĺBUTĺISĺLINKEDĺTOĺAĺFEELINGĺOFĺANXIETY ĺORĺAVERSION ĺASĺIFĺTHISĺ ISNlTĺORĺISNlTĺANYĺMORE ĺTHEĺRIGHTĺLOCATIONĺFORĺITĺ%VENĺONĺTHEĺSINGLEĺOCCASIONĺONĺ WHICHĺ4EDDYĺASKSĺ*ACKĺINTOĺHERĺHOME ĺTHEIRĺEMBRACEĺINĺTHEĺLIVINGĺROOMĺISĺRUINEDĺ BYĺTHEĺAPPEARANCEĺOFĺHERĺSONĺONĺTHEĺSTAIRSĺ7EĺCOULDĺSUMĺTHISĺUPĺBYĺSAYINGĺTHATĺ WHILEĺ4EDDYĺISĺCONSTRUCTEDĺASĺAĺLOVINGĺMOTHER ĺSHEĺISĺNOTĺAĺDOMESTICĺWOMANĺ THEĺCHILDRENĺCONüRMĺTHATĺSHEĺCANNOTĺCOOK ĺ !WAYĺFROMĺTHEĺDOMESTICĺWORLDĺ4EDDYĺISĺAĺVERYĺDIFFERENTĺüGUREĺ,ETĺUSĺTURNĺ AGAINĺTOĺHERĺüRSTĺAPPEARANCEĺINĺTHEĺüLM ĺINĺWHICHĺSHEĺISĺBEINGĺPERSUADEDĺTOĺ DEFENDĺ*ACKĺ(ERĺAPPEARANCEĺpĺHERĺCAREFULLY DRESSEDĺBLONDEĺHAIR ĺANDĺTHEĺEX PENSIVEĺLOOKĺOFĺHERĺCLOTHESĺAĺCHARCOALĺGREYĺWOOLLENĺCARDIGAN ĺLIGHTĺGREYĺSKIRT ĺ SPEAKĺTOĺHERĺCONüDENCE ĺHERĺKNOWLEDGEĺOFĺHERĺOWNĺVALUEĺANDĺATTRACTIVENESSĺ !SĺWEĺSEEĺHERĺINĺPUBLICĺINĺSUCCESSIVEĺCOSTUMES ĺTHEĺCUMULATIVEĺEFFECTĺISĺTHATĺ SHEĺISĺSMARTLY ĺELEGANTLY ĺCASUALLYĺDRESSEDĺpĺTOOĺBEAUTIFUL ĺORĺTOOĺINDEPENDENT ĺ TOĺNEEDĺTOĺCONFORMĺCOMPLETELYĺTOĺTHEĺDRESSĺCODESĺOFĺAĺLAWĺOFüCE ĺORĺTHEĺDE MANDSĺOFĺAĺFAMILYĺ (ERĺDESIREĺFORĺ*ACKĺTURNSĺONĺHISĺBEINGĺTHEĺOPPOSITEĺOFĺTHEĺDOMESTICĺMALEĺ (EĺISĺNOTĺAĺPARENT ĺANDĺHEĺTOOĺCANNOTĺCOOKĺpĺTHEIRĺONEĺMEALĺTOGETHERĺISĺORDEREDĺ INĺ(EĺPRESENTSĺHIMSELFĺASĺANĺELEGANT ĺRICHĺCOWBOY ĺASĺISĺSTRESSEDĺINĺSMALLĺELE

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Dressed to kill: Jagged Edge

MENTSĺOFĺTHEĺSETĺDESIGNĺOFĺTHEĺHOUSEĺTHEĺMOUNTEDĺHORNS ĺINĺHISĺCLOTHESĺANDĺ INĺHISĺASSOCIATIONSĺWITHĺWIDEĺOPENĺSPACEĺHISĺHORSES ĺANDĺTHEĺBEACH ĺ!SĺTHEĺ ROMANCEĺTAKESĺOFF ĺITĺISĺCONSTRUCTEDĺVISUALLYĺTHROUGHĺ*ACKĺANDĺ4EDDYlSĺCAREFULLYĺ HARMONISEDĺ CLOTHES ĺ ASĺ IFĺ THEYĺ WANTĺ TOĺ SPEAKĺ TOĺ EACHĺ OTHERĺ SARTORIALLYĺ ABOUTĺ THEIRĺSUITABILITYĺ4HEĺKEYĺCOLOURĺHEREĺISĺLIGHTĺGREYĺ4HEĺüLMĺMOVESĺFROMĺHARMONYĺ ATĺTHEIRĺüRSTĺMEETINGĺ4EDDYĺALLĺINĺGREYĺWOOL ĺ*ACKĺINĺCASUALĺKHAKIĺSHIRTĺANDĺJEANS ĺ TOĺAĺCLOSERĺRHYMINGĺINĺTHEĺSEQUENCEĺONĺTHEĺBEACHĺBOTHĺINĺVERSIONSĺOFĺLIGHTĺGREY ĺ TOĺTHEĺTONINGĺCLOTHESĺLIGHTĺTURQUOISEĺANDĺGREY ĺOFĺTHEIRĺRACKETĺMATCH ĺWHICHĺTHEYĺ REMOVEĺTOĺMAKEĺLOVEĺFORĺTHEĺüRSTĺTIMEĺ)FĺWEĺAREĺINĺDANGERĺOFĺMISSINGĺANYĺOFĺ THIS ĺDIRECTORĺ2ICHARDĺ-ARQUANDĺUNDERLINESĺITĺWITHĺTHEĺHORSESĺWHICHĺAREĺPARTĺOFĺ THEĺAPPARATUSĺOFĺ*ACKlSĺSEDUCTIONĺANOTHERĺPAIRĺOFĺMAGNIüCENTĺANIMALSĺINĺGREYĺ !Nĺ ELEMENTĺ OFĺ THEĺ RELATIONĺ BETWEENĺ *ACKĺ ANDĺ4EDDYĺ WHICHĺ HASĺ ITSĺ ROOTSĺ üRMLYĺINĺNOIRĺISĺTHEĺPRESENTATIONĺOFĺTHEĺSEDUCTIONĺNOTĺASĺAĺGRADUALĺPROCESS ĺBUTĺ ASĺIFĺITĺWEREĺINEVITABLEĺFROMĺTHEĺüRSTĺSECONDSĺOFĺTHEIRĺMEETINGĺ,ETĺUSĺLOOKĺATĺ TWOĺMOMENTSĺHEREĺ4HEĺüRSTĺMIGHTĺSEEMĺTOĺCONTRADICTĺMYĺARGUMENT ĺINĺTHATĺ 4EDDYĺARRIVESĺFORĺTHEĺINITIALĺMEETINGĺWITHĺ*ACKĺWITHĺHERĺCHILDREN ĺASĺIFĺSHEĺWANTSĺ TOĺUSEĺTHEMĺTOĺSENDĺAĺMESSAGEĺTOĺHIMĺABOUTĺHERĺSTATUSĺ"UTĺTHEYĺAREĺUSEDĺNOTĺ TOĺASSERTĺHERĺDOMESTICITY ĺBUTĺTOĺUNDERLINEĺHERĺTHEATRICALĺSHIFTĺFROMĺTHATĺROLEĺ7Eĺ SEEĺ4EDDYĺSLIPĺONĺHERĺPOSHĺSHOES ĺCHECKĺHERĺHAIRĺ7HENĺSHEĺASKSĺTHEĺCHILDREN ĺ k(OWĺDOĺ)ĺLOOKlĺTHEIRĺFRIENDLYĺCHORUSĺOFĺkWEIRD
lĺRECOGNISESĺTHATĺTHEIRĺMOTHERĺISĺ NOWĺAĺTHINGĺFROMĺANOTHERĺWORLDĺ *ACKĺTAKESĺ4EDDYĺIMMEDIATELYĺTOĺTHEĺSTABLEĺANDĺTHEĺKEYĺMOMENTĺINĺHERĺFALLĺ ISĺENCODED ĺTYPICALLYĺFORĺNOIR ĺINĺWHATĺTHEĺCOUPLEĺAREĺDOINGĺWITHĺWORDSĺ3HE ĺNOTĺ OVERTLYĺQUOTING ĺPOSESĺAĺSTATEMENTĺABOUTĺMENĺANDĺHORSESĺ*ACKlSĺRESPONSEĺISĺ THEĺWORDSĺk/LIVERĺ7ENDELLĺ(OLMESl ĺLOCATINGĺTHEĺQUOTATIONĺ"UTĺASĺHEĺDELIVERSĺ THEĺLINEĺHEĺDOESĺNOTĺTURNĺTOĺORĺLOOKĺATĺHERĺTHEREĺISĺNOĺQUALITYĺOFĺINTERROGATION ĺORĺ NEEDĺTOĺSEARCHĺFORĺAĺCORRECTĺANSWERĺ(ISĺAVERTEDĺGLANCE ĺTHEĺEASEĺWITHĺWHICHĺHEĺ

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RESPONDS ĺCARRIESĺAĺMESSAGEĺNOTĺkLOOKĺWHATĺ)ĺKNOW ĺMYĺCULTUREĺANDĺMYĺSCHOLAR SHIPl ĺBUTĺk)ĺALREADYĺKNOWĺEXACTLYĺWHATĺYOUĺKNOW ĺASĺIFĺWEĺHADĺALWAYSĺKNOWNĺ EACHĺOTHERĺpĺWEĺAREĺALREADYĺINTIMATElĺ3HEĺWATCHESĺHIMĺpĺSHEĺISĺLOSTĺ 3OĺTHEĺAFFAIRĺISĺPRESENTEDĺASĺAĺFORMĺOFĺSPELLĺORĺTRANCEĺ)TĺISĺNOTĺBREAKABLEĺ BYĺTHEĺINTRUSIONĺOFĺLITERALĺDATAĺFROMĺTHEĺWORLD ĺSUCHĺASĺTHEĺDISCOVERYĺOFĺ*ACKlSĺ FORMERĺGIRLFRIENDĺ%VENĺTHEĺMOMENTĺWHENĺTHEĺ$!ĺOFFERSĺTHEĺTRUE ĺEXPLANATIONĺ OFĺHOWĺ*ACKĺATTACKEDĺHISĺüRSTĺVICTIMĺASĺAĺCOVERĺFORĺKILLINGĺHISĺWIFE ĺ4EDDYĺBRUSHESĺ ASIDEĺASĺAĺFURTHERĺEXAMPLEĺOFĺ+RASNYlSĺDEVIOUSNESSĺ &INALLYĺTHEĺNOIRĺHEROĺHAS ĺHOWEVERĺRELUCTANTLY ĺTOĺWAKEĺUPĺTOĺTHEĺTRUTHĺABOUTĺ THEĺFATALĺPARTNERĺpĺWHICHĺMIGHTĺINVOLVEĺASKINGĺSOMEĺQUESTIONSĺABOUTĺONESELF ĺ ORĺCHOOSINGĺNOTĺTOĺASKĺTHEMĺ4HEĺDETAILĺTHATĺ4EDDYĺHASĺENJOYEDĺAĺSLEEPĺOFĺEX TRAORDINARYĺLENGTHĺSUGGESTSĺTHATĺHERĺAWAKENINGĺMIGHTĺBEĺPOTENTIALLYĺMOREĺTHANĺ JUSTĺLITERAL ĺANDĺTHEĺUSEĺOFĺTHEĺTYPEWRITERĺRAISESĺSIGNIüCANTĺQUESTIONSĺABOUTĺTHEĺ COUPLElSĺMOTIVATIONSĺ7EĺMIGHTĺFEELĺTHATĺASĺ4EDDYĺCHOOSESĺTOĺLOOKĺFORĺBEDĺLINENĺ SHEĺISĺUNCONSCIOUSLYĺSEARCHINGĺFORĺSOMETHINGĺELSE ĺANDĺASĺTHEĺTYPEWRITERĺISĺSOĺ POORLYĺCONCEALEDĺWEĺCOULDĺASKĺWHYĺ*ACKĺHASĺNOTĺDESTROYEDĺITĺORĺTAKENĺMOREĺ PAINSĺTOĺHIDEĺITĺ4HEĺSAMEĺISĺTRUEĺAĺFEWĺMOMENTSĺLATERĺWHENĺ4EDDYĺHASĺTAKENĺ THEĺTYPEWRITERĺTOĺHERĺCARĺ4HEĺüLMĺUSESĺTHEĺFAMILIARĺROUTINEĺOFĺAĺCARĺTHATĺWILLĺNOTĺ STARTĺANDĺTHEREĺISĺSOMEĺENJOYABLEĺSUSPENSEĺINVOLVINGĺWHETHERĺ*ACKĺWILLĺNOTICEĺ THEĺTYPEWRITERĺUNDERĺTHEĺCOATĺTHATĺHALFĺCONCEALSĺITĺ !LLĺOFĺTHISĺTAKENĺTOGETHERĺSUGGESTSĺTHATĺ*ACKĺANDĺ4EDDYĺAREĺINVITINGĺDISCOVERYĺ BYĺTHEĺOTHERĺ4HISĺISĺREINFORCEDĺWHENĺ4EDDY ĺNOWĺINĺHERĺOWNĺHOME ĺDELIBERATELYĺ LETSĺ*ACKĺKNOWĺTHATĺSHEĺHASĺTHEĺTYPEWRITER ĺRATHERĺTHANĺSIMPLYĺTELLINGĺTHEĺPOLICEĺ ORĺ3AMĺ4HEĺTYPEWRITERĺISĺITSELFĺAĺGESTUREĺTOĺNOIRĺ)TĺISĺANĺOBJECTĺWHICHĺHASĺCOMEĺ OUTĺOFĺTHEĺPASTĺNOTĺAĺMODERNĺMACHINEĺBUT ĺASĺ3AMĺSPELLSĺOUT ĺAĺĺ#ORONA ĺ SOMETHINGĺLEFTĺOVERĺFROMĺAĺCLASSICALĺNOIRĺSET ĺ

Noir closure 4HEREĺ ISĺ Aĺ CONüGURATIONĺ INĺ CLASSICALĺ NOIRĺ INĺ WHICHĺ THEĺ üNALĺ CONFRONTATIONĺ BE TWEENĺTHEĺHEROĺANDĺTHEĺFATALĺLOVERĺDESTROYSĺTHEMĺBOTH ĺALTHOUGHĺITĺISĺNOTĺQUITEĺ CLEARĺ UNTILĺ THEĺ LASTĺ SECONDSĺ PLAYĺ OUTĺ HOWĺ EXACTLYĺ THISĺ WILLĺ HAPPENĺ7Eĺ SHAREĺ AĺSENSEĺOFĺDOOMĺWITHĺTHESEĺüGURES ĺANĺACCEPTANCEĺTHATĺNEITHERĺOFĺTHEMĺWILLĺ SURVIVEĺTHEĺNARRATIVEĺ)ĺAMĺTHINKINGĺOFĺBOTHĺ$OUBLEĺ)NDEMNITYĺ ĺANDĺ/UTĺ OFĺTHEĺ0ASTĺ ĺASĺEXAMPLESĺOFĺTHISĺpĺINĺBOTHĺCASESĺITĺISĺNOTĺOBVIOUSĺEXACTLYĺ HOWĺTHEĺPARTICIPANTSĺWILLĺDIE ĺ!ĺWAYĺOFĺPUTTINGĺTHISĺISĺTHATĺWHILEĺTHEĺHEROĺüNALLYĺ WAKESĺUPĺTOĺWHATĺTHEĺFATALĺLOVERĺIS ĺHESHEĺISĺALSOĺDESTROYED ĺORĺLETSĺHIMHERSELFĺ BEĺDESTROYED ĺBYĺTHEĺLOVERĺ )FĺWEĺALLOWĺTHATĺTHEREĺISĺNOĺPOSSIBILITYĺTHATĺ*ACKĺCANĺSURVIVEĺANDĺGOĺUNPUN ISHED ĺTHEREĺAREĺTHREEĺPOSSIBLEĺENDINGSĺINĺPLAYĺATĺTHEĺPOINTĺOFĺCRISISĺ*ACKĺBREAKSĺ INTOĺTHEĺHOUSEĺINTENTĺONĺKILLINGĺ4EDDY ĺWITHĺ3AMĺARRIVINGĺMINUTESĺLATER

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NEO-NOIR

1. Jack could be killed by Sam after he has killed Teddy, a rescue coming just too late. 2. Jack could be killed by Sam just as he is about to kill Teddy, an act of rescue. 3. Jack could be killed by Teddy and Sam could arrive to find his act of rescue unnecessary, the villain already dead. 4HEĺüLMĺINVOKESĺITSĺNOIRĺCONNECTIONSĺBYĺTEASINGĺUSĺELABORATELYĺWITHĺTHEĺPOS SIBILITYĺOFĺTHEĺüRSTĺSCENARIOĺINĺWHICHĺ4EDDYĺWOULDĺACCEPTĺTHATĺHERĺCHOICESĺHAVEĺ LEDĺTOĺHERĺOWNĺDEATHĺ)TĺDOESĺTHISĺINĺSEVERALĺWAYSĺBYĺTHEĺMOODĺIMPLICITĺINĺHERĺ üNALĺPHONEĺCALLĺTOĺ3AMĺk)ĺJUSTĺWANTEDĺTOĺSAYĺTHANKĺYOUĺaĺITlSĺALLĺRIGHTĺNOWlĺ BYĺSHOWINGĺUSĺ4EDDYĺGOINGĺUPSTAIRSĺTOĺHERĺBEDROOMĺAFTERĺSHEĺHASĺHEARDĺ*ACKĺ BREAKINGĺINTOĺTHEĺHOUSEĺANDĺBYĺNOTĺALLOWINGĺUSĺTOĺSEEĺTHATĺSHEĺISĺCONCEALINGĺAĺ GUNĺ"UTĺJUSTĺASĺITĺISĺCLEARĺTHATĺ*ACKĺMUSTĺDIE ĺSOĺ4EDDYĺMUSTĺSURVIVEĺHERĺPAS SIONĺISĺNOTĺAĺTRANSGRESSIONĺREQUIRINGĺHERĺTOĺDIEĺINĺAĺüLMĺMADEĺINĺ ĺANDĺSHEĺ ISĺAĺMOTHERĺ!ĺCOMPROMISEĺENDINGĺTHATĺWOULDĺRETAINĺSOMEĺNOIRĺELEMENTSĺWOULDĺ BEĺTHEĺSECOND ĺTHEĺPOINTĺOFĺWHICHĺWOULDĺBEĺTHATĺ4EDDYĺLACKSĺTHEĺAUTHORITYĺTOĺ KILL ĺAĺROLEĺRETAINEDĺBYĺ3AMĺ4HEĺüLMĺEXPRESSESĺITSĺDISTANCEĺFROMĺTHEĺNOIRĺWORLDĺ BYĺCHOOSINGĺTHEĺTHIRDĺSCENARIO ĺTHEĺENDINGĺWEĺHAVE ĺWHICHĺHASĺITSĺGENERICĺROOTSĺ INĺAĺDIFFERENTĺSOURCE ĺTHEĺHORRORĺüLMĺ)NĺHERĺUNHESITATINGĺABILITYĺTOĺDISPATCHĺTHEĺ MASKEDĺ *ACK ĺ4EDDYĺ ISĺ Aĺ VERSIONĺ OFĺ THEĺ k&INALĺ 'IRLlĺ SEEĺ #LOVERĺ  ĺ ANDĺ HERĺ AUTHORITYĺFORĺKILLINGĺHIMĺISĺOFĺCOURSEĺTHATĺHEĺISĺTHISĺüLMlSĺMONSTERĺ4HISĺFEELSĺLIKEĺ AĺGESTUREĺTOĺEMPOWERINGĺTHEĺWOMAN ĺBUTĺITĺISĺPURCHASEDĺATĺAĺPRICEĺ7HATĺHASĺ BEENĺLOSTĺISĺTHEĺPSYCHOLOGICALĺDENSITYĺOFĺNOIR ĺTHEĺUNEASYĺTHOUGHTĺTHATĺ4EDDY ĺ ANDĺSEXUALĺDESIREĺITSELF ĺMAYĺHAVEĺAĺCASEĺTOĺANSWERĺHEREĺ

The unhomely city -YĺSECONDĺEXAMPLEĺISĺ7ILLIAMĺ&RIEDKINlSĺ4Oĺ,IVEĺANDĺ$IEĺINĺ,! ĺWHICHĺPRESENTSĺ AĺSHARPĺCONTRASTĺTOĺ*AGGEDĺ%DGEĺ7HEREĺ-ARQUANDĺUSESĺESTABLISHEDĺANDĺWELL REGARDED ĺATTRACTIVEĺSTARSĺINĺ#LOSEĺANDĺ"RIDGES ĺ&RIEDKINĺPRESENTSĺUSĺWITHĺACTORSĺ WHOĺINĺĺWEREĺMOREĺORĺLESSĺNEWĺCINEMATICĺFACESĺ0ERHAPSĺTHEĺMOSTĺFAMILIARĺ WOULDĺHAVEĺBEENĺ7ILLEMĺ$AFOE ĺWHOĺWASĺNOTĺYETĺAĺSUBSTANTIALĺSTARĺ4HISĺISĺ7IL LIAMĺ0ETERSENlSĺSECONDĺüLMĺANDĺHISĺüRSTĺLEADINGĺROLE ĺANDĺOTHERĺROLESĺAREĺCASTĺ FROMĺACTORSĺMUCHĺOFĺWHOSEĺPREVIOUSĺWORKĺHADĺBEENĺINĺTELEVISION ĺSUCHĺASĺ*OHNĺ 0ANKOWĺANDĺ$ARLANNEĺ&LUEGELĺ 4HEĺ üLMSĺ DEMONSTRATEĺ THEĺ RANGEĺ OFĺ THEĺ WORLDSĺ THATĺ CANĺ CARRYĺ NOIRĺ ASSO CIATIONSĺ4HEĺSETTINGĺOFĺ*AGGEDĺ%DGEĺISĺANĺEXAMPLEĺOFĺFAMILYĺNOIR ĺWHEREĺTHEĺ PARTICULARĺHORRORĺOFĺTHEĺMURDERSĺISĺTHATĺTHEYĺTAKEĺPLACEĺINĺTHEĺHOME ĺINDEEDĺINĺ THEĺBEDROOMĺTHEĺMODELĺIS ĺSAY ĺ3ORRY ĺ7RONGĺ.UMBERĺ ĺ)Nĺ&RIEDKINlSĺCASE ĺ THEĺMODELĺISĺ$ETOURĺ ĺITĺCANĺBEĺALIGNEDĺWITHĺWHATĺHASĺBEENĺDESCRIBEDĺASĺ HOMELESSĺ NOIRĺ SEEĺ "RITTONĺ ĺ ANDĺ -AC#ANNELLĺ  ĺ4HEĺ üLMĺ PRESENTSĺ Aĺ WORLDĺINĺWHICHĺSEXUALĺACTIVITYĺTAKESĺPLACEĺBUTĺISĺDISCONNECTEDĺFROMĺANYĺTRACEĺOFĺ MUTUALĺCAREĺORĺCOMMITMENT ĺONEĺINĺWHICHĺAĺCHILDĺISĺMENTIONEDĺONCEĺONLYĺANDĺ

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No way out: To Live and Die in L.A.

ISĺNEVERĺPRESENT ĺANDĺTHEĺONLYĺSOCIALĺOCCASIONĺTHATĺWEĺSEEĺISĺAĺGROUPĺOFĺCOPSĺ DRINKINGĺINĺAĺBARĺ)TĺISĺAĺWORLDĺWHEREĺTHEREĺAREĺDEATHSĺBUTĺNOĺFUNERALS ĺASĺIFĺAĺ GATHERINGĺTOGETHERĺOFĺFAMILYĺANDĺFRIENDSĺISĺUNIMAGINABLE 7HILEĺ *AGGEDĺ %DGEĺ ISĺ LARGELYĺ CONDUCTEDĺ INĺ THEĺ HOMESĺ ANDĺ ORDERLYĺ PUBLICĺ SPACESĺOFĺITSĺBOURGEOISĺWORLD ĺASĺIFĺTOĺREMINDĺUSĺOFĺTHEĺVALUESĺWHICHĺAREĺBEINGĺ ATTACKEDĺ ANDĺ DEFENDEDĺ THERE ĺ &RIEDKINlSĺ üLMĺ HASĺ Aĺ MISE EN SCġNEĺ WHICHĺ SUC CESSFULLYĺARTICULATESĺANĺURBANĺHELLĺ4HEĺLARGERĺFRAMEĺISĺSIMPLYĺTHEĺESTABLISHINGĺ SHOTSĺOFĺ,!ĺITSELFĺ4HEREĺISĺAĺKEYĺSHOTĺOFĺDAYBREAKĺOVERĺTHEĺCITY ĺWHICHĺBEGINSĺ THEĺüLMĺTHATĺIS ĺPRECEDESĺTHEĺPRE CREDITSĺSEQUENCE ĺANDĺANOTHER ĺVERYĺSIMILARLYĺ LIT ĺSHOTĺWHICHĺCANĺBEĺSEENĺBEHINDĺTHEĺMAINĺTITLEĺ(EREĺAĺCOUPLEĺOFĺPALMĺTREESĺ ANDĺAĺTANGLEĺOFĺPOWERĺANDĺCOMMUNICATIONSĺLINESĺAREĺBATTEREDĺBYĺTHEĺWINDSĺINĺ ANĺATMOSPHEREĺOFĺLURIDĺDEEPĺORANGEĺ4HEĺIMAGEĺISĺNOTĺSOĺMUCHĺOFĺLIGHTĺRETURNINGĺ TOĺTHEĺCITYĺASĺOFĺTHEĺTHREATĺOFĺUNBEARABLEĺHEAT ĺBEATINGĺDOWNĺONĺTHEĺDAMAGEDĺ REMAINSĺ OFĺ THEĺ NATURALĺ ANDĺ THEĺ WORLDĺ OFĺ HEAVYĺ INDUSTRY ĺ ANDĺ THEĺ JUNKĺ THATĺ ITĺ PRODUCES &RIEDKINĺTAKESĺUSĺTOĺAĺNUMBERĺOFĺSPACESĺWHICHĺADDRESSĺAĺHUMANĺNEEDĺORĺ APPETITE ĺBUTĺWHEREĺTHATĺNEEDĺISĺMETĺINĺTERMSĺTHATĺSTRIPĺITĺOFĺEVERYTHINGĺPOSI TIVEĺ2ATHERĺTHANĺAĺHOME ĺORĺEVENĺAĺNEIGHBOURHOODĺDINER ĺWEĺAREĺSHOWNĺTHEĺ kFOODĺINĺAĺBASKETlĺEATINGĺPLACEĺINĺWHICHĺTWOĺCOPSĺSITĺONĺTHEĺSALVAGEDĺREMAINSĺOFĺ PLASTICĺCHAIRSĺWHICHĺHAVEĺBEENĺREUSEDĺTOĺPROVIDEĺAĺCRUDEĺSEATINGĺAREAĺ!NOTHERĺ SUCHĺSPACEĺISĺTHEĺTOPLESSĺBARĺINĺWHICHĺ2UTHĺ,ANIERĺ$ARLANNEĺ&LUEGEL ĺWORKSĺASĺ AĺCASHIERĺ)TĺISĺINDICATIVEĺOFĺWHATĺISĺMADEĺOFĺSEXUALĺDESIREĺINĺTHEĺüLMlSĺWORLD ĺ WITHĺ ITSĺ ALMOSTĺ COMICĺ COME ONĺ THEĺ SIGNSĺ READINGĺ k%NTERlĺ ALLĺ THEĺ WAYĺ AROUNDĺ THEĺ BUILDING ĺ CONTRASTINGĺ WITHĺ THEĺ INTERIORĺ OFĺ BARRIERSĺ ANDĺ SCREENSĺ 2UTHĺ BOTHĺ MANIPULATESĺTHESEĺOBSTACLESĺANDĺISĺCONTAINEDĺBYĺTHEM ĺINĺTHEĺCAGEĺ4HEĺSCENEĺ ISĺ LITĺ WITHĺ THEĺ HARSH ĺ MARKEDLYĺ ARTIüCIALĺ COLOURSĺ THATĺ SEEMĺ TOĺ BEĺ DESIGNEDĺ TOĺ DIVIDEĺTHEĺINTERIORĺFROMĺTHEĺBRIGHT ĺBLANDĺEXTERIORĺAĺSATURATEDĺDEEPĺORANGEĺANDĺ

82

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ANĺACRYLICĺGREENĺ7EĺHAVEĺALREADYĺSEENĺTHESEĺCOLOURSĺUSEDĺINĺTHEĺLETTERINGĺOFĺ THEĺüLMlSĺOPENINGĺTITLES 4HISĺUSEĺOFĺLURIDĺCOLOURĺISĺAPPROPRIATEĺTOĺAĺCITYĺINĺWHICHĺTHEREĺAREĺNOĺPLACESĺ INĺWHICHĺSUSTAINABLEĺPRIVACYĺISĺPOSSIBLEĺ4HISĺISĺTHEĺOPPOSITEĺTOĺ*AGGEDĺ%DGE ĺ WHICHĺREPEATEDLYĺINVOKESĺTHEĺIDEAĺOFĺAĺHOUSE ĺORĺAĺBEDROOM ĺASĺAĺHAVENĺORĺAĺ VIOLATEDĺHAVEN ĺASĺINĺTHEĺMORNINGĺFOLLOWINGĺTHEĺCOUPLElSĺüRSTĺNIGHTĺTOGETHER ĺ WHENĺ*ACKĺOPENSĺTHEĺCURTAINSĺTOĺEXPOSEĺTHEĺSPECTACULARĺVIEWĺOVERĺTHEĺCITYĺ)Nĺ 4Oĺ,IVEĺANDĺ$IEĺINĺ,! ĺTHEREĺAREĺBEDROOMSĺINĺWHICHĺSEXĺTAKESĺPLACEĺBUTĺBARELYĺ ANYTHINGĺTHATĺWEĺAREĺASKEDĺTOĺSEEĺASĺAĺHOME *USTĺ ASĺ THEĺ UNDAMAGEDĺ NATURALĺ WORLDĺ ISĺ ALMOSTĺ ENTIRELYĺ ABSENT ĺ SOĺ THEREĺ ISĺALMOSTĺNOTHINGĺPHYSICALĺINĺTHEĺ,!ĺOFĺ&RIEDKINlSĺüLMĺWHICHĺINVOKESĺTHEĺPASTĺ ORĺTHEĺIDEAĺOFĺTRADITIONĺ4HEĺUSEĺOFĺDATELINESĺEARLYĺINĺTHEĺüLMĺESTABLISHESĺTHATĺ THESEĺEVENTSĺAREĺTAKINGĺPLACEĺOVERĺTHEĺ#HRISTMASĺSEASON ĺEVIDENTLYĺSOĺTHATĺWEĺ MAYĺOBSERVEĺTHEĺTOTALĺABSENCEĺOFĺTHEĺFESTIVEĺINĺEVERYĺOTHERĺRESPECTĺ4HEĺSINGLEĺ EXCEPTIONĺTOĺTHISĺISĺTHATĺONEĺOFĺTHEĺCOPSĺWHOĺISĺASKEDĺTOĺACTĺUNETHICALLYĺCOMESĺ FROMĺAĺFAMILYĺOFĺCOPSĺ"UTĺWEĺWILLĺSEEĺTHATĺTHISĺISĺWHEREĺTRADITIONĺPROVESĺUSE LESS 4HEREĺ ISĺ ARGUABLYĺ ONEĺ SUBSTANTIALĺ WAYĺ INĺ WHICHĺ THEĺ PASTĺ ISĺ INVOKED ĺ NOTĺ THROUGHĺANĺOBJECT ĺBUTĺAĺPIECEĺOFĺBEHAVIOURĺ)TĺISĺTHEĺISSUEĺOFĺLOYALTYĺTOĺAĺPARTNERĺ pĺTHEĺTOPICĺWITHĺWHICHĺTHEĺüLMĺBEGINS ĺTHUSĺSIGNALLINGĺITSĺCONNECTIONSĺTOĺNOIRĺ ANDĺALSOĺARGUABLYĺTOĺANOTHERĺCLASSICALĺ(OLLYWOODĺGENRE ĺTHEĺWESTERNĺ4HISĺISĺLAIDĺ OUTĺINĺTHEĺPLOTĺINĺTHEĺFOLLOWINGĺTERMSĺ 1. In the pre-credits sequence we see two cops acting as special agents, Richard Chance (William Petersen) and Jim Hart (Michael Greene), engaged in the protection of an American president. The sequence establishes them as partners and they succeed in averting an assassination. This involves some athletics on the part of Hart, who has the emblematic line, ‘I’m getting too old for this shit.’ It emerges that Hart is retiring in three days’ time. 2. Having insisted on going alone to investigate a lead concerning a major forger of banknotes, Rick Masters (Willem Dafoe), Hart is shot dead by Masters and his sidekick Jack (Jack Hoar). 3. Chance is assigned a new partner, John Vukovich (John Pankow), a decision which he questions but is forced by his superiors to accept. He tells Vukovich, ‘I’m going to bag Masters and I don’t give a shit how I do it.’ !TĺTHISĺPOINTĺITĺMIGHTĺSEEMĺTHATĺTHEĺüLMĺISĺOFFERINGĺAĺFAMILIARĺARGUMENT ĺHINTEDĺ ATĺINĺTHEĺNAMESĺTHATĺAREĺDERIVEDĺFROMĺWESTERNSĺTHATĺINĺAĺHOSTILEĺWORLDĺTHEĺONEĺ RELIABLEĺVALUEĺISĺCARRIEDĺINĺTHEĺIDEAĺOFĺTHEĺPARTNERĺANDĺAVENGINGĺHISĺDEATHĺ3OĺWEĺ MIGHTĺEXPECTĺAĺüLMĺTHATĺWILLĺFOLLOWĺTHEĺNEWĺPARTNERSĺASĺTHEYĺTAKEĺTHEIRĺREVENGEĺ ONĺ-ASTERS ĺANDĺAĺRECOGNITIONĺTHATĺASĺAĺRESULTĺOFĺTHEIRĺSUCCESSFULĺEFFORTSĺ#HANCEĺ ANDĺ6UKOVICHĺHAVEĺTHEMSELVESĺFORMEDĺAĺBONDĺ4HISĺWOULDĺNOTĺPARTICULARLYĺSUG

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GESTĺüLMĺNOIRĺpĺTHEĺNARRATIVEĺSOUNDSĺMOREĺLIKEĺAĺREPRISEĺOFĺELEMENTSĺOFĺ$IRTYĺ (ARRYĺ ĺ4HEĺNOIRĺELEMENTSĺINĺTHEĺüLMĺAREĺCONTAINEDĺINĺTHEĺPRESENTATIONĺOFĺ ITSĺWORLD ĺONEĺSOĺDANGEROUSĺANDĺWITHOUTĺVALUEĺTHATĺALLĺOFĺTHEĺMALEĺCHARACTERSĺ AREĺ ATĺ RISKĺ4HEĺ NOIRĺ HEROĺ ANDĺ THEĺ NOIRĺ VILLAINĺ COULDĺ BOTHĺ DIE ĺ LEAVINGĺ THEĺ LESSĺ HEROIC ĺMOREĺRESPECTABLEĺMALEĺüGUREĺTOĺLINKĺUPĺWITHĺTHEĺMOREĺDOMESTICATEDĺ WOMAN ĺWHOĺHASĺBEENĺFREEDĺFORĺTHISĺPOSSIBILITYĺBYĺTHEĺDEATHĺOFĺTHEĺNOIRĺHEROĺ )TĺISĺPERHAPSĺSURPRISINGĺTOĺREALISEĺTHATĺTHISĺLATTERĺPATHĺISĺTHEĺONEĺTHATĺTHEĺüLMĺ FOLLOWS ĺVIEWEDĺPURELYĺINĺTERMSĺOFĺNARRATIVEĺTRAJECTORYĺANDĺSTEREOTYPICALĺCHARAC TERĺTYPESĺSEEĺ7ALKERĺ ĺ-APPINGĺTHEĺROLESĺAGAINSTĺTHEĺGALLERYĺOFĺNOIRĺCHAR ACTERS ĺITĺISĺSTRIKINGĺTHATĺTHEYĺCANĺEASILYĺBEĺIDENTIüEDĺTHEĺVILLAINOUSĺCONTROLLINGĺ MALEĺINĺ-ASTERS ĺTHEĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺINĺHISĺGIRLFRIENDĺ"IANCAĺ4ORRESĺ$EBRAĺ&EUER ĺ THEĺHEROĺINĺ#HANCE ĺTHEĺDOMESTICĺORĺPOTENTIALLYĺDOMESTICĺWOMANĺINĺ#HANCElSĺ GIRLĺ2UTH ĺANDĺTHEĺRESPECTABLE ĺORĺATĺLEASTĺMOREĺRESPECTABLE ĺMANĺINĺ6UKOVICHĺ)Tĺ REINFORCESĺTHESEĺCONNECTIONSĺTOĺNOTEĺTHATĺ2UTHĺISĺAĺMOTHERĺANDĺ6UKOVICHĺAĺSONĺ ANDĺBROTHER ĺ)NĺTHESEĺTERMSĺTHEĺüLMĺPOSSESSESĺTHEĺSKELETONĺOFĺAĺRECOGNISABLEĺ üLMĺNOIRĺ"UTĺTHESEĺCHARACTERSĺAREĺRADICALLYĺDIFFERENTĺFROMĺTHEIRĺANTECEDENTSĺINĺ TERMSĺOFĺTWOĺMATTERS ĺPROFESSIONALĺCOMPETENCEĺANDĺSEXUALĺDESIRESĺ

Competence and ineptitude /NEĺ OFĺ THEĺ COMMONĺ QUALITIESĺ OFĺ THEĺ CLASSICALĺ NOIRĺ HEROĺ ISĺ HISĺ COMPETENCE ĺ BOTHĺ ASĺ INVESTIGATORĺ ANDĺ ASĺ HANDLERĺ OFĺ TRICKYĺ SITUATIONS ĺ OFTENĺ Aĺ MATTERĺ OFĺ HISĺ COMPETENCEĺWITHĺLANGUAGEĺITSELFĺ7HEREĺSUGGESTIONSĺOFĺTHEĺINCOMPETENTĺORĺ INARTICULATEĺDOĺAPPEARĺISĺINĺMINORĺCHARACTERS ĺEITHERĺVILLAINSĺORĺVICTIMSĺANĺEXAM PLEĺWOULDĺBEĺ*OEĺ3TEPHANOSĺ0AULĺ6ALENTINE ĺINĺ/UTĺOFĺTHEĺ0AST ĺ!Sĺ4Oĺ,IVEĺANDĺ $IEĺINĺ,!ĺBEGINS ĺITĺSEEMSĺTOĺBEĺESTABLISHINGĺ#HANCEĺANDĺ(ARTĺASĺCOMPETENTĺ PROFESSIONALS ĺQUICKĺTOĺSPOTĺSOMETHINGĺAMISSĺANDĺPOSSESSEDĺOFĺTHEĺCONCENTRA TIONĺANDĺTIMINGĺREQUIREDĺTOĺBRINGĺEVENTSĺTOĺAĺSUCCESSFULĺCONCLUSIONĺ )TĺISĺAGAINĺONEĺOFĺTHEĺWAYSĺINĺWHICHĺTHEĺPRE CREDITSĺSEQUENCEĺOFĺTHEĺüLMĺTURNSĺ OUTĺTOĺBEĺDECEPTIVEĺ7HENĺHEĺINVESTIGATESĺTHEĺWAREHOUSEĺINĺWHICHĺ-ASTERSĺHASĺ BEENĺFORGINGĺMONEYĺ(ARTĺMAKESĺNOĺEFFORTĺTOĺAPPROACHĺWITHĺCAUTIONĺ(EĺDIES ĺANĺ EASYĺTARGET ĺBECAUSEĺHEĺMAKESĺTHEĺASSUMPTIONĺTHATĺITĺISĺUNINHABITED ĺWHEREASĺ -ASTERSĺANDĺ*ACKĺAREĺBOTHĺSTILLĺHIDINGĺTHEREĺ4HISĺSTRIKESĺAĺNOTEĺWHICHĺISĺTOĺBEĺ CONTINUALLYĺREINFORCED ĺTHATĺTHESEĺAGENTSĺAREĺNOTĺASĺCOMPETENTĺASĺWEĺMIGHTĺEX PECTĺ4HEĺEARLYĺEXAMPLESĺAREĺSOMETIMESĺTRIVIAL ĺSUCHĺASĺ6UKOVICHĺCASUALLYĺCHEW INGĺGUMĺASĺHEĺINVESTIGATESĺTHEĺTRAILERĺINĺWHICHĺ-ASTERSĺHADĺPREVIOUSLYĺHIDDEN ĺ ANDĺINĺWHICHĺFORĺALLĺHEĺKNOWS ĺSOMEONEĺMIGHTĺSTILLĺBEĺHIDINGĺTHEĺMOMENTĺATĺTHEĺ AIRPORTĺWHENĺTHEĺTWOĺAGENTSĺAREĺPURSUINGĺ#ARLĺ#ODYĺ*OHNĺ4URTURRO ĺONEĺOFĺ-AS TERSlĺMONEY CARRIERS ĺANDĺ6UKOVICHĺHASĺTOĺBORROWĺANĺERASERĺFROMĺAĺCHECK INĺCLERKĺ TOĺTESTĺTHEĺFORGEDĺNOTE ĺCOSTINGĺPRECIOUSĺSECONDSĺ4HEĺPOINTĺISĺMOREĺDECLARATIVELYĺ MADEĺINĺTHEĺSTAKEOUTĺOFĺTHEĺHOMEĺOFĺ-AXĺ7AXMANĺ#HRISTOPHERĺ!LLPORT ĺONEĺ OFĺ-ASTERSlĺASSOCIATESĺINĺCRIMEĺ7AXMANĺISĺMURDEREDĺBYĺ-ASTERSĺWHILEĺBOTHĺ

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#HANCEĺANDĺ6UKOVICHĺHAVEĺFALLENĺASLEEP ĺEVENĺTHOUGHĺEARLIERĺTHEYĺHAVEĺWATCHEDĺ "IANCAĺENTERĺTHEĺBUILDINGĺ&INALLY ĺ#ODYlSĺEASYĺGULLINGĺOFĺ#HANCEĺINTOĺTAKINGĺHIMĺ TOĺAĺHOSPITALĺTOĺVISITĺHISĺkDAUGHTERl ĺANDĺHISĺSUBSEQUENTĺESCAPEĺFROMĺCUSTODYĺ 4HESEĺMOMENTSĺFORMĺTHEĺBACKGROUNDĺTOĺTHEĺLASTĺPARTĺOFĺTHEĺüLM ĺINĺWHICHĺ #HANCE ĺWITHĺTHEĺRELUCTANTĺASSISTANCEĺOFĺ6UKOVICH ĺATTEMPTSĺAĺSTINGĺOPERATIONĺ )Tĺ ISĺ MADEĺ CLEARĺ THATĺ -ASTERSĺ ISĺ ENTIRELYĺ UNDECEIVEDĺ BYĺ THEĺ COPSlĺ PRETENDEDĺ ROLESĺASĺCRIMINALSĺFROMĺOUTĺOFĺSTATE ĺJUSTĺASĺHEĺWASĺAWAREĺEARLIERĺTHATĺ7AXMANlSĺ HOUSEĺWASĺBEINGĺWATCHEDĺ)NĺACQUIRINGĺTHEĺMONEYĺTOĺSETĺUPĺTHISĺDEALĺpĺTHEYĺ STEALĺ ITĺ FROMĺ Aĺ GROUPĺ THEYĺ BELIEVEĺ TOĺ BEĺ CROOKSĺ pĺ #HANCEĺ ANDĺ6UKOVICHĺ BRINGĺ ABOUTĺTHEĺDEATHĺOFĺANĺUNDERCOVERĺFEDERALĺAGENTĺ&INALLYĺTHEYĺMEETĺ-ASTERSĺTOĺ COMPLETEĺTHEĺMONEYĺEXCHANGE ĺBUTĺBUNGLEĺTHEĺARREST ĺANDĺ#HANCEĺISĺKILLEDĺWITHĺ Aĺ SHOTĺ TOĺ THEĺ HEADĺ üREDĺ BYĺ *ACKĺ4HISĺ RECALLSĺ THEĺ DEATHĺ OFĺ (ART ĺ ALSOĺ SHOTĺ BYĺ *ACKĺ)TĺISĺNOTĺAĺMATTERĺOFĺTHEĺCOPSĺOUTWITTEDĺBYĺTHEĺCRIMINALĺMASTERMIND ĺBUTĺ DESPATCHEDĺBYĺTHEĺAPPARENTLYĺCONTEMPTIBLE ĺSLOW MOVINGĺTHUG 4HEĺCLASSICALĺNOIRĺHEROĺOFTENĺDIESĺDESPITEĺHISĺINTELLIGENCEĺpĺTHESEĺüGURESĺDIEĺ ASĺAĺDIRECTĺRESULTĺOFĺTHEIRĺINCOMPETENCEĺ0ERHAPSĺTHEĺPOORĺRECEPTIONĺOFĺTHEĺüLMĺ ATĺTHEĺBOXĺOFüCEĺREČECTSĺTHEĺUNFAMILIARITYĺOFĺTHIS ĺWHICHĺMAYĺHAVEĺTOĺDOĺWITHĺ OURĺBEINGĺUSEDĺTOĺTHESEĺMATTERSĺBUTĺONLYĺASĺCOMEDYĺTHISĺISĺTHEĺPERIODĺOFĺ0OLICEĺ !CADEMYĺ ĺANDĺ0OLICEĺ!CADEMYĺĺ ĺ%VENĺINĺ&RIEDKINlSĺüLM ĺTHEREĺAREĺ MOMENTSĺTHATĺWOULDĺSEEMĺTOĺACKNOWLEDGEĺTHISĺMODE ĺASĺCHASESĺANDĺSTANDOFFSĺ WOBBLEĺINTOĺTHEĺCOMEDICĺSEEĺTHEĺENDĺOFĺTHEĺSEQUENCEĺOFĺTHEĺCAPTUREĺOFĺ#ODYĺ INĺTHEĺAIRPORTĺMENlSĺROOM ĺANDĺTHEĺCHASINGĺOFĺTHEĺPAIRĺOFĺPETTYĺTHIEVESĺINĺTHEĺ MIDDLEĺOFĺTHEĺüLMĺ

Sport and the sexual athlete 4HEĺ CONTRASTĺ WITHĺ CLASSICALĺ NOIRĺ ISĺ REČECTEDĺ INĺ THEĺ DIFFERENTĺ TERMSĺ INĺ WHICHĺ #HANCElSĺANDĺ6UKOVICHlSĺRELATIONĺTOĺTHEĺJOBĺISĺCONSTRUCTEDĺpĺWHYĺTHEYĺAREĺCOPSĺ )NĺTHEĺCASEĺOFĺ#HANCE ĺTHEĺATTRACTIONĺISĺNOTĺTHEĺEXERCISEĺOFĺSKILLĺORĺINTELLIGENCE ĺ BUTĺTHEĺPURSUITĺOFĺSENSATIONĺ3HORTLYĺAFTERĺTHEĺCREDITS ĺWEĺCUTĺTOĺAĺSEQUENCEĺOFĺ WHATĺ#HANCEĺDESCRIBESĺASĺkBASEĺJUMPINGlĺpĺLAUNCHINGĺHIMSELFĺFROMĺONEĺOFĺ,!lSĺ BRIDGESĺWITHĺAĺLINEĺATTACHEDĺTOĺHISĺBODYĺ4HEREĺAREĺAĺSERIESĺOFĺSUBSEQUENTĺMO MENTSĺINĺWHICHĺWEĺSEEĺ#HANCEĺUSINGĺHISĺPHYSICALĺüTNESS ĺTHEĺREPEATEDĺIMAGEĺ OFĺHISĺBEINGĺABLEĺTOĺOUTRUNĺHISĺQUARRYĺ!TĺONEĺPOINTĺHEĺWILLĺTALKĺEAGERLYĺTOĺ6U KOVICHĺABOUTĺHISĺDESIREĺFORĺSUCHĺSENSATIONS ĺHOWĺHEĺUSEDĺTOĺkJUMPĺOFFĺGARAGESĺ WHENĺ )ĺ WASĺ Aĺ KIDlĺ4HEREĺ ISĺ EVIDENCEĺ FROMĺ BOTHĺ COSTUMEĺ ANDĺ DIALOGUE ĺ THATĺ #HANCEĺREGARDSĺBEINGĺAĺCOPĺASĺAĺKINDĺOFĺSPORT ĺANĺARENAĺINĺWHICHĺHEĺCANĺEXPRESSĺ HISĺAWARENESSĺOFĺHISĺOWNĺPHYSICALĺPROWESSĺ4HISĺCONNECTSĺTOĺTHEĺMOMENTSĺINĺ WHICHĺ0ETERSENĺSEEMSĺTOĺBEĺPOSINGĺFORĺTHEĺCAMERA ĺASĺIFĺOFFERINGĺTHEĺIMAGEĺ OFĺTHISĺEFFECTIVEĺBODYĺANDĺWHATĺHEĺBELIEVESĺISĺDUEĺTOĺITĺSEEĺFORĺEXAMPLESĺTHEĺ SEQUENCEĺINĺWHICHĺ(ARTĺISĺGIVENĺTHEĺüSHINGĺROD ĺANDĺTHEĺENDĺOFĺTHEĺSEQUENCEĺINĺ WHICHĺ#HANCEĺASKSĺ*UDGEĺ#EDILLOĺ6ALĺ$E6ARGAS ĺTOĺSIGNĺAĺWRIT ĺ

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4HEĺINVOCATIONĺOFĺSPORTĺISĺATĺITSĺMOSTĺSTRIKINGĺAFTERĺTHEĺüASCOĺOFĺTHEĺACQUISI TIONĺOFĺTHEĺMONEYĺWITHĺWHICHĺTOĺSTINGĺ-ASTERSĺ#HANCEĺARRIVESĺATĺ2UTHlSĺHOUSEĺ SAYINGĺTHATĺTHEĺTAKINGĺOFĺTHEĺMONEYĺWASĺkCLOCKWORKl ĺBUTĺHEĺISĺALSOĺEXCITEDLY ĺ ANDĺFORĺNOĺOBVIOUSĺREASON ĺPRAISINGĺTHEĺPROWESSĺOFĺAĺSTARĺBALLĺPLAYERĺ4HEĺUNCON SCIOUSĺCONNECTIONĺISĺTOĺTHEĺFEELINGĺOFĺBEINGĺANĺATHLETEĺSTILLĺHIGHĺAFTERĺTHEĺENDĺOFĺ AĺSUCCESSFULĺGAME 4HESEĺMATTERSĺAREĺCONNECTEDĺWITHĺ#HANCElSĺSEXUALĺRESPONSESĺTOĺWOMEN ĺ ANĺAREAĺINĺWHICHĺTHEĺCONTRASTĺWITHĺCLASSICALĺNOIRĺISĺMOSTĺSIGNIüCANTĺ/NCE ĺSEX UALĺDESIREĺFORĺBOTHĺTHEĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺANDĺTHEĺDOMESTICĺWOMAN ĺANDĺTHEĺFANTA SIESĺACCOMPANYINGĺTHOSEĺDESIRES ĺWEREĺCENTRALĺ"UTĺHEREĺ#HANCElSĺDESIREĺISĺAĺ MATTERĺOFĺNARCISSISM ĺJUSTĺANOTHERĺPHYSICALĺEXERCISEĺOFĺHISĺüTĺBODYĺ!FTERĺHEĺHASĺ MADEĺLOVEĺWITHĺ2UTHĺFORĺTHEĺüRSTĺTIMEĺTHATĺIS ĺTHEĺüRSTĺTIMEĺINĺTHISĺüLM ĺTHEĺ DIALOGUEĺISĺUSEDĺTOĺINDICATEĺTHATĺHEĺHASĺNOĺINTERESTĺINĺHERĺOTHERĺTHANĺFORĺSEXĺANDĺ AĺSOURCEĺOFĺINFORMATIONĺ4HEREĺISĺANĺELEGANTĺPIECEĺOFĺPHYSICALĺBUSINESSĺWHICHĺ SEEMSĺTOĺSUPPORTĺTHISĺREADINGĺ!Sĺ#HANCEĺCOMESĺTOĺ2UTHĺINĺTHEĺBEDROOM ĺHEĺ TAKESĺOFFĺHISĺT SHIRTĺ2UTHĺTHENĺPUTSĺITĺON ĺSOĺTHATĺASĺTHEĺLOVEMAKINGĺSTARTS ĺHEĺ CANĺTAKEĺITĺOFFĺAGAIN ĺTHISĺTIMEĺFROMĺHERĺBODYĺ)TĺISĺASĺIFĺTHEREĺWEREĺNOĺDIFFERENCEĺ HEREĺINĺTHESEĺATTRACTIVEĺBODIES ĺOTHERĺTHANĺGENDERĺDIFFERENCEĺ #HANCElSĺRELATIONĺTOĺ2UTHĺISĺINĺSOMEĺRESPECTSĺTHATĺOFĺAĺPIMP ĺINĺTHATĺSHEĺ GETSĺHERĺINFORMATIONĺBYĺHAVINGĺTOĺkGETĺCLOSEĺTOlĺ-ASTERSlĺASSOCIATES ĺIMPLICITLYĺ BYĺTHEĺGRANTINGĺOFĺSEXUALĺFAVOURSĺ4HEIRĺüNALĺLOVEMAKINGĺSCENE ĺIFĺITĺCANĺBEĺCALLEDĺ THAT ĺISĺBLEAKERĺTHANĺTHEĺüRSTĺ&RIEDKINĺCUTSĺOFFĺTHEĺSCENEĺASĺ#HANCE ĺAGAINSTĺHERĺ PROTESTS ĺISĺTRYINGĺTOĺPINĺ2UTHĺDOWNĺONĺHERĺSOFA ĺHISĺüNALĺACTĺOFĺATHLETICISMĺANDĺ PHYSICALĺPOWER )NĺTHEĺLIGHTĺOFĺTHIS ĺITĺISĺNOĺSURPRISE ĺBUTĺAĺRADICALĺDEPARTUREĺFROMĺTHEĺPATTERNSĺ OFĺCLASSICALĺNOIR ĺTHATĺTHEREĺISĺANĺALMOSTĺCOMPLETEĺABSENCEĺOFĺCONTACTĺBETWEENĺ "IANCA ĺTHEĺüGUREĺWHOĺOCCUPIESĺTHEĺPOSITIONĺOFĺTHEĺFEMMEĺFATALE ĺANDĺ#HANCEĺ 4HEYĺMEETĺONLYĺONCE ĺVERYĺLATEĺINĺTHEĺüLM ĺANDĺ"IANCAlSĺRESPONSEĺTOĺ#HANCEĺISĺ TOĺLAUGHĺATĺHIM ĺASĺIFĺALLĺSHEĺSEESĺISĺAĺHELPLESSĺVICTIMĺOFĺ-ASTERSlĺOPERATIONS 4HISĺ ISĺ NOT ĺ ORĺ NOTĺ ONLY ĺ Aĺ COMMENTARYĺ ONĺ #HANCE ĺ BUTĺ Aĺ PARTĺ OFĺ Aĺ WIDERĺ VIEWĺOFĺTHEĺSTATUSĺOFĺSEXUALĺRELATIONSĺ)NĺTHEĺCASEĺOFĺ-ASTERSĺANDĺ"IANCA ĺSEXĺ SEEMSĺTOĺBEĺAĺNARCISSISTIC ĺORĺVOYEURISTIC ĺACTIVITYĺ"IANCAĺWATCHESĺVIDEOTAPESĺ OFĺHERSELFĺANDĺ-ASTERSĺMAKINGĺLOVEĺ0HYSICALĺSEXUALĺACTSĺEXPRESSĺONLYĺRELATIONSĺ OFĺ CONVENIENCEĺ BETWEENĺ THEĺ PARTICIPANTSĺ pĺ JUSTĺ ANOTHERĺ KINDĺ OFĺ PERFORMANCEĺ ARTĺ)NĺONEĺOFĺTHEĺCLOSINGĺSEQUENCES ĺ-ASTERSlĺLAWYER ĺ"OBĺ'RIMESĺ$EANĺ3TOCK WELL ĺ ASKSĺ "IANCAĺ WHYĺ SHEĺ HADĺ STAYEDĺ WITHĺ -ASTERSĺ 3HEĺ REPLIESĺ BYĺ ASKINGĺ HIMĺTHEĺSAMEĺQUESTION ĺANDĺLEAVESĺHISĺREPLY ĺTHATĺITĺWASĺJUSTĺBUSINESS ĺHANGINGĺ INĺ THEĺ AIRĺ SEXUALĺ RELATIONSĺ AREĺ NOTĺ ALLĺ THATĺ DIFFERENTĺ FROMĺ MALEMALEĺ BUSINESSĺ RELATIONSĺ%QUALLYĺTHEĺMOMENTSĺOFĺČIRTATIONĺINĺTHEĺüLMĺWITHĺSAMEĺSEXĺRELATIONSĺ AREĺNOTĺINVOKEDĺINĺTERMSĺOFĺAĺHIERARCHYĺOFĺVALUEĺ4HEĺPOINTĺISĺNOTĺTOĺPRAISEĺORĺTOĺ CRITICISEĺSUCHĺPOSSIBILITIESĺBUTĺTOĺARGUEĺTHATĺONĺTHEĺINDIFFERENTĺPLANEĺONĺWHICHĺ THESEĺCONTACTSĺAREĺCONDUCTED ĺEVERYTHINGĺISĺINĺEFFECTĺTHEĺSAME

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6UKOVICHĺPRESENTSĺONLYĺAĺPARTIALĺCONTRASTĺTOĺ#HANCEĺ*OHNĺ0ANKOWĺPLAYSĺTHEĺ PARTĺASĺAĺMANĺWITHOUTĺ#HANCElSĺATHLETICISMĺORĺHISĺNARCISSISM ĺLESSĺFASHIONABLYĺ COSTUMEDĺANDĺMOREĺPHYSICALLYĺAWKWARD ĺBUTĺNOTĺOFFEREDĺASĺAĺPARTICULARLYĺATTRAC TIVEĺ ALTERNATIVEĺ 5NLIKEĺ #HANCE ĺ HEĺ ISĺ CONNECTEDĺ TOĺIDEASĺOFĺTRADITIONĺANDĺTHEĺ PASTĺ(ISĺREASONĺFORĺBEINGĺAĺCOP ĺANDĺHISĺFEELINGĺABOUTĺHOWĺCOPSĺSHOULDĺBEHAVE ĺ AREĺBASEDĺINĺHISĺFAMILYĺ4HISĺSEEMSĺTOĺBEĺHISĺREASONĺFORĺREFUSINGĺTOĺTAKEĺTHEĺDEALĺ OFFEREDĺBYĺ'RIMES ĺONĺTHEĺGROUNDĺTHATĺAĺCOPĺDOESĺNOTĺBETRAYĺHISĺPARTNERĺ"UTĺ THISĺISĺLESSĺAĺBASISĺFORĺACTIONĺASĺAĺCAUSEĺFORĺPARALYSIS ĺASĺWHATĺHEĺTAKESĺTOĺBEĺTHEĺ CONVENTIONSĺFORĺPROPERĺBEHAVIOURĺBYĺCOPSĺUNRAVELĺAROUNDĺHIM 6UKOVICHĺüTSĺTHEĺNOIRĺSTEREOTYPEĺOFĺTHEĺRESPECTABLEĺMALEĺINĺTHATĺHEĺISĺNOTĺ ANĺOBJECTĺOFĺDESIRE ĺNORĺDOESĺHEĺSTRONGLYĺEXPRESSĺDESIREĺ7EĺDOĺNOTĺSEEĺHIMĺ RELATEĺINĺANYĺWAYĺTOĺWOMENĺpĺFORĺMOSTĺOFĺTHEĺüLMĺ2UTHĺDOESĺNOTĺEVENĺKNOWĺ WHOĺHEĺISĺ4HEĺONLYĺSEQUENCEĺWHICHĺMIGHTĺHAVEĺMODIüEDĺTHISĺPOSITIONĺWASĺCUTĺ BEFOREĺRELEASEĺ4HEĺPASSAGEĺSHOWSĺ6UKOVICH ĺDESPERATEĺANDĺCONFUSED ĺTRYINGĺ TOĺRE ESTABLISHĺCONTACTĺWITHĺHISĺEX WIFEĺ$ONNAĺ4RACYĺ3WOPE ĺ4HEĺCOUPLEĺARGUEĺ ATĺTHEĺDOORĺTOĺHERĺAPARTMENT ĺINTOĺWHICHĺSHEĺWILLĺNOTĺADMITĺHIMĺ!GAIN ĺTHEĺPOS SIBILITYĺOFĺREFUGE ĺEITHERĺAĺSAFEĺSPACEĺORĺBYĺCONTACTINGĺTHEĺPAST ĺISĺDENIEDĺ(ADĺ THISĺSEQUENCEĺBEENĺINCLUDEDĺINĺTHEĺüNALĺCUTĺITĺWOULDĺHAVEĺREINFORCEDĺ6UKOVICHlSĺ POSITIONĺASĺTHEĺMALEĺORIENTEDĺTOWARDSĺFAMILIALĺRELATIONS 6UKOVICHlSĺRELATIONĺTOĺFAMILYĺCONTRASTSĺSHARPLYĺTOĺTHATĺOFĺ#HANCEĺ(ISĺSINGLEĺ ENCOUNTERĺWITHĺAĺCOUPLEĺISĺVIOLENTLYĺANTIPATHETIC ĺWHENĺHEĺBREAKSĺINTOĺTHEĺAPART MENTĺWHICHĺ#ODYĺSHARESĺWITHĺHISĺGIRLFRIENDĺINĺORDERĺTOĺBEATĺHIMĺUPĺ4HEĺSCENEĺ HASĺ LITTLEĺ OBVIOUSĺ NARRATIVEĺ POINT ĺ BUTĺ THEĺ BACKGROUNDĺ TOĺ ITĺ ISĺ THEĺ BUSINESSĺ OFĺ #ODYĺDECEIVINGĺ#HANCEĺOVERĺTHEĺVISITĺTOĺHISĺkDAUGHTERlĺ#ODYĺKNOWSĺTHATĺAĺMANĺ SOĺTOTALLYĺDISCONNECTEDĺFROMĺFAMILYĺISĺANĺEASYĺMARKĺFORĺAĺPIECEĺOFĺDECEPTIONĺ BASEDĺONĺFAMILYĺRELATIONS ĺAĺLANGUAGEĺ#HANCEĺDOESĺNOTĺSPEAK 4HISĺBRINGSĺMEĺTOĺTHEĺMATTERĺOFĺLANGUAGEĺITSELFĺ4HEĺLANGUAGEĺINĺTHEĺWHOLEĺ OFĺTHEĺSCRIPTĺISĺPREDOMINANTLYĺCRUDE ĺUTILITARIAN ĺSCABROUSĺ!GAINĺTHISĺISĺAĺMARKEDĺ CONTRASTĺTOĺCLASSICALĺNOIR ĺWHICHĺCANĺOFFERĺTHEĺPLEASUREĺOFĺELEGANCEĺOFĺEXPRES SIONĺ4HEĺSWEARING ĺWHICHĺSEEMSĺPOSSIBLYĺUNREMARKABLEĺNOW ĺATTRACTEDĺNEGA TIVEĺ COMMENTĺ INĺ ĺ BUTĺ ITĺ MAKESĺ ANOTHERĺ POINTĺ ABOUTĺ THEĺ POVERTYĺ OFĺ RE SOURCESĺAVAILABLEĺTOĺTHESEĺüGURESĺ4HEYĺCANĺNOĺMOREĺRETREATĺBEHINDĺAĺPHRASEĺ THANĺTOĺAĺHOMEĺ

No exit 4HEĺüNALĺSEQUENCEĺOFĺ4Oĺ,IVEĺANDĺ$IEĺINĺ,!ĺASĺITĺISĺEXPRESSESĺTHEĺüLMlSĺDEBTĺ TOĺNOIR ĺANDĺREVISESĺTHEĺMEANINGĺOFĺTHEĺCHARACTERĺCONüGURATIONĺTHATĺITĺINVOKESĺ 4HISĺCONüGURATIONĺISĺEASYĺTOĺRECOGNISEĺNOWĺTHATĺTHEĺNOIRĺHEROĺISĺDEAD ĺANDĺTHEĺ VILLAINĺANDĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺAREĺDEADĺORĺDEPARTED ĺONEĺOFĺTHEĺCLOSINGĺIMAGESĺOFĺTHEĺ üLMĺISĺTHATĺOFĺAĺNEWĺCOUPLE ĺTHEĺRESPECTABLEĺMALEĺANDĺTHEĺDOMESTICĺWOMANĺ

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7HATĺ&RIEDKINĺDOESĺISĺTOĺOFFERĺAĺPAIRĺWHOĺAREĺIDENTIüABLYĺTHISĺCOUPLEĺWHILEĺDE PRIVINGĺTHEIRĺCONNECTIONĺOFĺALLĺBUTĺNEGATIVEĺSIGNIüCANCE )NĺCLASSICALĺNOIR ĺTHEĺESTABLISHMENTĺOFĺTHEĺkGOODĺCOUPLElĺINDICATESĺAĺMOMENTĺ OFĺ CHANGE ĺ THEĺ RESTORATIONĺ OFĺ Aĺ POSSIBLEĺ WORLDĺ INĺ WHICHĺ Aĺ VIABLEĺ RELATIONSHIPĺ COULDĺBEĺCONSTRUCTEDĺ4HISĺPOSITIONĺISĺPOTENTIALLYĺAVAILABLEĺTOĺ4Oĺ,IVEĺANDĺ$IEĺINĺ ,!ĺ)TĺWOULDĺHAVEĺBEENĺQUITEĺPOSSIBLEĺFORĺ6UKOVICH ĺTERMINALLYĺDISILLUSIONEDĺBYĺ THEĺWAYĺ-ASTERSĺHADĺBEENĺDEFEATEDĺANDĺBYĺTHEĺDEATHĺOFĺ#HANCE ĺTOĺOFFERĺTOĺ ČEEĺTHEĺCITYĺWITHĺ2UTHĺANDĺTHEĺüLMĺCOULDĺHAVEĺENDEDĺWITHĺTHISĺNEW ĺPROVISIONALĺ COUPLEĺDRIVINGĺOFFĺTOĺANĺUNCERTAINĺFUTUREĺ4HEĺüNALĺCREDITSĺSEQUENCE ĺSCROLLINGĺ OVERĺTHEĺVIEWĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺWINDSCREENĺOFĺAĺCARĺASĺITĺISĺDRIVENĺOUTĺOFĺ,!ĺATĺDUSKĺ ANDĺENDINGĺWITHĺTHEĺCOUNTRYSIDE ĺSEEMSĺTOĺRETAINĺAĺTRACEĺOFĺSUCHĺANĺENDING ĺ "UTĺASĺüLMEDĺ&RIEDKINĺOFFERSĺTHEĺIMAGEĺOFĺENTRAPMENTĺANDĺSTASISĺ2UTH ĺWHOĺ DOESĺ WISHĺ TOĺ LEAVEĺ THEĺ CITYĺ ANDĺ HERĺ OLDĺ LIFE ĺ ISĺ PREVENTEDĺ FROMĺ DOINGĺ SOĺ BYĺ 6UKOVICH ĺWHOĺHASĺSTRANGELYĺTAKENĺOVERĺTHEĺROLEĺANDĺTHEĺCHARACTERĺPREVIOUSLYĺ OCCUPIEDĺBYĺ#HANCE 4HUSĺ THEĺ NEGATIVEĺ QUALITIESĺ EMBODIEDĺ INĺ #HANCEĺ AREĺ NOTĺ DISSIPATEDĺ EVENĺ BYĺHISĺDEATH ĺBUTĺSIMPLYĺREINCARNATEDĺINĺANOTHERĺBODYĺ6UKOVICHĺHASĺTHEĺSAMEĺ POWERĺOVERĺ2UTHĺTOĺREVOKEĺHERĺPAROLE ĺANDĺTHEĺDETAILSĺOFĺTHEĺPERFORMANCEĺINĺ THEĺüNALĺSCENEĺSUGGESTĺTHATĺHEĺISĺACQUIRINGĺTHEĺSAMEĺNARCISSISMĺ3OĺWHILEĺTHISĺ SPECIüCĺPLOTĺMAYĺHAVEĺPLAYEDĺITSELFĺOUT ĺTHEĺCONDITIONSĺTHATĺGAVEĺRISEĺTOĺITĺAREĺ UNTOUCHABLEĺ4HEĺMOODĺHEREĺISĺDRAWNĺNOTĺFROMĺNOIRĺBUTĺAGAINĺFROMĺONEĺSTRAINĺ OFĺTHEĺHORRORĺüLM ĺINĺWHICHĺTHEĺCONVENTIONALĺENDINGĺBYĺ ĺWASĺTOĺSUGGESTĺ THATĺEVENĺASĺTHEĺMONSTER ĺORĺTHEĺMONSTROUS ĺWASĺDESTROYED ĺHESHEITĺWOULDĺ INEVITABLYĺAPPEARĺSOONERĺORĺLATERĺINĺANOTHERĺFORMĺ7EĺSHOULDĺNOTĺüNDĺTHISĺSUR PRISING ĺGIVENĺ&RIEDKINlSĺBACKGROUNDĺINĺTHEĺGENREĺMOSTĺFAMOUSLYĺHISĺDIRECTIONĺ OFĺ4HEĺ%XORCISTĺ ĺANDĺTHEĺUSEĺOFĺHORRORĺINĺTHEĺSĺTOĺPRESENTĺTHEĺIMAGEĺ OFĺANĺIRREDEEMABLEĺWORLD 4HEĺINTERLOCKINGĺRELATIONSHIPSĺOFĺCLASSICALĺNOIRĺAREĺTHEĺSUBJECTĺOFĺCHOICESĺANDĺ COMMITMENTSĺINVOLVINGĺSEXUALĺDESIREĺTHATĺAREĺOFĺCRUCIALĺSIGNIüCANCEĺ)NĺTHESEĺ TWOĺNEO NOIRĺüLMS ĺDESIREĺANDĺITSĺCHOICESĺHAVEĺNOĺSUCHĺTRANSFORMATIVEĺFUNCTIONĺ )Nĺ*AGGEDĺ%DGE ĺTHEĺüNALĺPOSITIONĺISĺTHATĺTHEĺHEROINElSĺBEHAVIOURĺWASĺSIMPLYĺAĺ MISTAKE ĺONEĺWHICHĺLEAVESĺNOĺTRACEĺONCEĺITĺISĺCORRECTEDĺ4HEREĺISĺNOĺGUILTĺFORĺUS ĺ ANDĺHER ĺTOĺSHAREĺINĺORĺCONTEMPLATE ĺONLYĺAĺDEADĺMONSTERĺ4Oĺ,IVEĺANDĺ$IEĺINĺ,!ĺ PLAYSĺOUTĺITSĺNOIRĺPLOTĺINĺAĺWORLDĺINĺWHICHĺALLĺFANTASIESĺOFĺWHATĺAĺSEXUALĺCONNEC TIONĺMIGHTĺMEANĺAREĺREDUCEDĺTOĺNOTHING ĺINĺWHICHĺANOTHERĺWORLDĺCANNOTĺQUITEĺ BEĺIMAGINED ĺLETĺALONEĺACHIEVEDĺ4HEĺDIFFERENTĺWAYSĺINĺWHICHĺTHEĺHORRORĺüLMĺISĺ INVOKEDĺSUGGESTSĺAĺCONNECTIONĺANDĺALSOĺTHEĺDIFFERENCEĺBETWEENĺTHEĺTWOĺüLMSĺ pĺBETWEENĺTHEĺCOMFORTINGĺDESPATCHĺOFĺAĺSINGLEĺMONSTERĺINĺ-ARQUANDlSĺüLMĺANDĺ AĺWORLDĺTHATĺHASĺBECOMEĺTHEĺPROPERTYĺOFĺMONSTERSĺINĺ&RIEDKINlS

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REFERENCES "RITTON ĺ!NDREWĺ ĺk$ETOURl ĺINĺ)ANĺ#AMERONĺED ĺ4HEĺ-OVIEĺ"OOKĺOFĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺ,ON DONĺ3TUDIOĺ6ISTA ĺp #LOVER ĺ#AROLĺ*ĺ ĺ-EN ĺ7OMENĺANDĺ#HAINĺ3AWSĺ'ENDERĺINĺTHEĺ-ODERNĺ(ORRORĺ&ILMĺ ,ONDONĺ"RITISHĺ&ILMĺ)NSTITUTEĺ 'ALLAFENT ĺ%Dĺ ĺk%CHOĺ0ARKĺ&ILMĺNOIRĺINĺTHEĺm3EVENTIESnl ĺINĺ)ANĺ#AMERONĺED ĺ4HEĺ -OVIEĺ"OOKĺOFĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺ,ONDONĺ3TUDIOĺ6ISTA ĺp -AC#ANNELL ĺ $EANĺ  ĺ k$EMOCRACYlSĺ TURNĺ /Nĺ HOMELESSĺ NOIRl ĺ INĺ *OANĺ #OPJECĺ ED ĺ 3HADESĺOFĺ.OIRĺ,ONDONĺ6ERSO ĺp 7ALKER ĺ-ICHAELĺ ĺk&ILMĺNOIRĺ)NTRODUCTIONl ĺINĺ)ANĺ#AMERONĺED ĺ4HEĺ-OVIEĺ"OOKĺOFĺ &ILMĺ.OIRĺ,ONDONĺ3TUDIOĺ6ISTA ĺp

TWO VERSIONS OF FILM NOIR IN THE 1980S

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6 From Lonely Streets to Lonely Rooms: Prefiguration, Affective Responses and the Max Payne Single-Player GREG SINGH

Collecting evidence had gotten old a few hundred bullets back. I was already so far past the point-of-no-return I couldn’t remember what it had looked like when I had passed it … Turn around, walk away, blow town. That would’ve been the smart thing to do. Guess I wasn’t that smart. Max Payne -AXĺ0AYNEĺISĺAĺHIGHLYĺSUCCESSFULĺCONSOLEĺVIDEOGAMEĺFRANCHISE ĺENJOYINGĺAĺCULTĺ STATUSĺFEWĺOTHERSĺCANĺBOASTĺ4HIRD PERSONĺSHOOTERSĺPREMISEDĺAROUNDĺTHEĺEPON YMOUSĺ PLAYER CHARACTER ĺ Aĺ HARD BOILEDĺ FORMERĺ .90$ĺ COPĺ WORKINGĺ UNDERCOVERĺ FORĺTHEĺ$%! ĺTHEĺGAMESĺRELISHĺEVERYĺOPPORTUNITYĺTOĺREMINDĺTHEĺPLAYERĺOFĺTHEIRĺ NOIRISHNESSĺ4HEĺTITLEĺOFĺTHEĺSECONDĺGAMEĺINĺTHEĺSERIES ĺ-AXĺ0AYNEĺĺpĺ4HEĺ&ALLĺ OFĺ-AXĺ0AYNEĺ!ĺüLMĺNOIRĺLOVEĺSTORYĺ ĺMAKESĺTHISĺCONNECTIONĺOVERT ĺEVENĺ THOUGHĺTHEĺGAMEĺISĺNEITHERĺAĺüLMĺNOIRĺNORĺAĺLOVEĺSTORYĺpĺINĺFACT ĺITĺISĺNOTĺEVENĺ AĺüLMĺORĺAĺSTORYĺ"UTĺTHEĺCLAIMĺMADEĺBYĺTHEĺSUBTITLEĺIMPLICATESĺTHEĺPLAYERĺINĺAĺ PREüGURATIVEĺ MODEĺ THATĺ THREATENSĺ TOĺ EXPOSEĺ THEĺ GRIMĺ REALITIESĺ OFĺ THEĺ SINGLE PLAYERĺ FORMATĺ 3IMPLYĺ PUT ĺ THEĺ TERMĺ PREüGURATIONĺ ISĺ USEDĺ HEREĺ TOĺ EMPHASISEĺ THEĺ WAYĺ THATĺ GENREĺ GAMESĺ TYPICALLYĺ PROCEEDĺ ACCORDINGĺ TOĺ TYPEĺ ONĺ PREüGURA TION ĺ SEEĺ 2ICOEURĺ ĺ ANDĺ 'UNNĺ ĺ p ĺ4HISĺ HASĺ IMPLICATIONSĺ FORĺ THEĺ PROCEDURALĺSTRATEGIESĺTHATĺGAMESĺEMPLOYĺACCORDINGĺTOĺTHEĺPATTERNSĺEVINCEDĺBYĺ GENERICĺCONVENTIONĺ4HATĺIS ĺTHESEĺGAMESĺANDĺTHEIRĺBACK STORIESĺADOPTĺCERTAINĺ STYLISTIC ĺICONOGRAPHICĺANDĺTHEMATICĺCONCERNSĺANDĺüGURATIONS ĺTHUSĺPREüGURINGĺ üLMĺNOIRĺ4HISĺALSOĺHASĺIMPLICATIONSĺINĺTERMSĺOFĺTHEĺWAYĺTHEĺPLAYERVIEWERlSĺRE SPONSEĺ ISĺ ANTICIPATEDĺ THEĺ GAMESĺ PROCEED ĺ ENABLINGĺ THEĺ PLAYERĺ TOĺ ANTICIPATEĺ BYĺ TYPEĺ ANDĺ THUSĺ UNDERSTANDĺ THEĺ GAMEWORLDĺ ANDĺ THEĺ PROTOCOLSĺ DETERMININGĺ ACTIONSĺANDĺCHARACTERĺBEHAVIOURĺWITHINĺITĺ&URTHERMORE ĺTHEYĺDOĺTHISĺWHILEĺBOTHĺ MYSTIFYINGĺ ANDĺ ROMANTICISINGĺ THEĺ ALMOSTĺ INEVITABLY ĺ INSULARĺ DOMESTICĺ CONTEXTĺ

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OFĺSINGLE PLAYERĺCONSOLEĺGAMESĺ4HEĺGAMESlĺOVERTĺREFERENCESĺTOĺüLMĺNOIRĺANDĺ EVOCATIONĺOFĺFAMILIARĺGENERICĺPROTOCOLSĺPREüGUREĺTHEĺPLAYERĺEVERYĺBITĺASĺMUCHĺASĺ THEĺSINGLE PLAYERĺFORMATĺDOESĺ4HISĺESSAYĺISĺCONCERNEDĺWITHĺTHEĺWAYSĺINĺWHICHĺ THEĺGAMESĺANTICIPATEĺTHEĺPLAYERlSĺAFFECTIVEĺRESPONSEĺTOWARDSĺITSĺCONCEITS ĺAS SUMPTIONSĺ ANDĺ PLAYFULĺ KNOWLEDGEĺ OFĺ üLMĺ NOIRĺ ANDĺ NEO NOIR ĺ ANDĺ THEĺ WAYSĺ INĺ WHICHĺTHESEĺINTERTEXTUALĺRELATIONSĺREINFORCEĺSTRUCTURALĺSIMILARITIESĺBETWEENĺTHEĺ GAMESĺANDĺüLMĺNOIRSĺ)ĺWILLĺBEGINĺBYĺOUTLININGĺTHEĺGENERICĺPREüGURATIONSĺEVIDENTĺ INĺTHEĺGAMES )NĺTHEĺBACK STORY ĺTHUGSĺHIGHĺONĺTHEĺDESIGNERĺDRUGĺ6ALKYRĺBREAKĺINTOĺ0AYNElSĺ FAMILYĺHOMEĺANDĺKILLĺHISĺWIFEĺANDĺUNBORNĺCHILDĺ)NSTEADĺOFĺBECOMINGĺAĺVIGILANTEĺ INĺ THEĺ STYLEĺ OFĺ 4HEĺ "IGĺ (EATĺ  ĺ ORĺ $EATHĺ7ISHĺ  ĺ 0AYNEĺ INüLTRATESĺ Aĺ DRUGĺ CARTELĺ (ISĺ FORMERĺ PARTNERĺ INĺ THEĺ .90$ ĺ !LEXĺ "ALDER ĺ ISĺ THEĺ ONLYĺ PERSONĺ WHOĺKNOWSĺABOUTĺHISĺUNDERCOVERĺMISSION ĺBUTĺWHENĺ"ALDERĺISĺKILLED ĺ0AYNEĺISĺ üRMLYĺINĺTHEĺFRAMEĺFORĺHISĺMURDERĺ-OUĺGAANĺDOU)NFERNALĺ!FFAIRSĺ ĺANDĺITSĺ SEQUELSĺUSEĺAĺSIMILARĺCONCEIT ĺ/NĺTHEĺLAM ĺ0AYNEĺHUNTSĺDOWNĺ"ALDERlSĺKILLERS ĺ ANDĺINĺTHEĺPROCESSĺFALLSĺINĺLUSTĺWITHĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺ-ONAĺ3AXĺ!ĺFAMILIARĺüGUREĺ FROMĺNOIRSĺRANGINGĺFROMĺ'ILDAĺ ĺTOĺ"ODYĺ(EATĺ ĺANDĺ*ISMĺ ĺHERĺ NAMEĺALLUDESĺTOĺMOANS ĺSEXĺANDĺTHEĺPROLIFERATIONĺOFĺSAXOPHONESĺONĺTHEĺSOUND TRACKSĺOFĺEROTICĺTHRILLERSĺANDĺOTHERĺNEO NOIRSĺ4HEĺPUNNINGLY NAMEDĺPROTAGONISTĺ PROVIDESĺ Aĺ FURTHERĺ ALLUSIONĺ TOĺ NEO NOIRlSĺ REVISIONĺ OFĺ üLMĺ NOIRĺ CHARACTERĺ TYPESĺ THROUGHĺHISĺREMARKABLEĺRESEMBLANCEĺTOĺNEO NOIRĺSTALWARTĺ-ICKEYĺ2OURKEĺ 4HEĺ SETTINGĺ ALSOĺ ISĺ TYPICALLYĺ NOIRISHĺ7HILEĺ ,OSĺ !NGELESĺ HASĺ BEENĺ CENTRALĺ TOĺ üLMĺ NOIR ĺ THEĺ -AXĺ 0AYNEĺ GAMESĺ FOLLOWĺ THEĺ EXAMPLEĺ OFĺ TELEVISIONĺ COPĺ SE RIESĺSUCHĺASĺ(ILLĺ3TREETĺ"LUESĺp ĺ.90$ĺ"LUEĺp ĺANDĺ4HEĺ7IREĺ p ĺWHICHĺHAVEĺESTABLISHEDĺEASTERNĺCITIESĺLIKEĺ#HICAGO ĺ.EWĺ9ORKĺANDĺ "ALTIMOREĺINĺTHEĺPOPULARĺIMAGINATIONĺASĺAĺCERTAINĺVARIETYĺOFĺDECAYING ĺPOST IN DUSTRIALĺMETROPOLISĺ)NĺTHEĺSAMEĺPERIOD ĺTELEVISIONĺSERIESĺLIKEĺ(ARDCASTLEĺANDĺ -C#ORMICKĺp ĺ,!ĺ,AWĺp ĺANDĺ0LAYERSĺp ĺREüGUREDĺ,!ĺ ASĺAĺSUN DRENCHEDĺPARTYĺCITY ĺVERYĺMUCHĺTHEĺANTITHESISĺOFĺNOIR ĺ4HEĺGAMESlĺEASTĺ COASTĺLOCATIONĺMAKESĺSENSEĺINĺTHISĺCONTEXT ĺPRODUCINGĺANĺATMOSPHEREĺSUITABLEĺ FORĺGANGĺWARFARE ĺCRIMEĺSYNDICATES ĺGOVERNMENTĺCORRUPTION ĺSLEAZYĺNIGHTCLUBS ĺ DECREPITĺ WAREHOUSES ĺ GUNSĺ ANDĺ THEĺ CRIMINALSĺ WHOĺ WIELDĺ THEM ĺ TRENCHĺ COATSĺ ANDĺTHEĺDETECTIVESĺWHOĺWEARĺTHEMĺ)TĺISĺALWAYSĺDARKĺANDĺNEVERĺSEEMSĺTOĺSTOPĺ RAININGĺINĺTHESEĺSTRANGELYĺEMPTYĺURBANĺENVIRONS ĺANDĺINĺTHEĺüRSTĺGAMEĺTHISĺISĺ TAKENĺTOĺANĺEXTREMEĺASĺ.EWĺ9ORKĺSUFFERSĺTHEĺWORSTĺBLIZZARDĺINĺAĺCENTURYĺpĺITSELFĺ AĺPREüGURATIONĺOFĺTHEĺJUSTICEĺABOUTĺTOĺBEĺDEALTĺTOĺ0AYNElSĺENEMIESĺBYĺTHEĺPLAYER CHARACTERĺ)TĺWORKSĺMETAPHORICALLY ĺASĺAĺSTORMĺTOĺBEĺSUFFERED ĺENDURED ĺANDĺISĺ ASĺRELEVANTĺTOĺTHEĺDIEGESISĺASĺITĺISĺTOĺTHEĺREPETITIVENESSĺANDĺINSTRUMENTALITYĺOFĺ THEĺGAMEPLAYĺITSELFĺ 4HEĺGAMESlĺGRITTY ĺUNRELENTINGĺDIALOGUE ĺDELIVEREDĺATĺBREAKNECKĺPACE ĺISĺOF TENĺREMINISCENTĺOFĺTHEĺRAPID üREĺEXCHANGESĺBETWEENĺ$OUBLEĺ)NDEMNITYlSĺ7ALTERĺ .EFFĺ&REDĺ-AC-URRAY ĺANDĺ0HYLLISĺ$IETRICHSONĺ"ARBARAĺ3TANWYCK ĺ)NĺANĺUNCAN

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PLEASUREĺANDĺPLAY ĺANDĺINĺTHEĺCONTEXTĺOFĺDIGITALĺGAMESĺISĺPRIMARILYĺCONCERNEDĺ WITHĺTHEĺMECHANICSĺOFĺGAMINGĺANDĺPLAYING ĺASĺWELLĺASĺTHEĺSPECIüCĺPLAYINGĺCON TEXTSĺWITHINĺWHICHĺGAMERSĺPLAYĺ'ONZALOĺ&RASCAĺ ĺARGUESĺTHATĺWHILEĺTHEĺ MYTHĺOFĺEMERGINGĺ'AMESĺ3TUDIESĺBEINGĺDIVIDEDĺBYĺTHESEĺDIAMETRICALLYĺOPPOSEDĺ APPROACHESĺHELPEDĺTOĺLENDĺITĺCREDIBILITYĺASĺANĺACADEMICĺDISCIPLINEĺBYĺIMPLYINGĺ ITSĺPLURALITYĺANDĺVIGOUR ĺTHEĺDEBATEĺBETWEENĺkTHEĺNARRATOLOGISTSlĺANDĺkTHEĺLUDOLO GISTSlĺNEVERĺREALLYĺTOOKĺPLACEĺ/NEĺCOULDĺARGUEĺTHAT ĺINĺANYĺDEBATEĺABOUTĺPLAYĺ WITHĺNARRATIVEĺORĺNARRATIVISEDĺPLAY ĺALLĺ'AMESĺ3TUDIESĺACADEMICSĺAREĺESSENTIALLYĺ LUDOLOGISTS ĺREGARDLESSĺOFĺTHEIRĺPOSITIONĺONĺNARRATIVEĺINĺGAMESĺ-ICHAELĺ-ATEASĺ COINEDĺ THEĺ TERMĺ kNARRATIVISTSlĺ TOĺ REFERĺ TOĺ Aĺ SPECIüCĺ NARRATOLOGICALLY INFORMED ĺ ANTI GAME ĺINTERACTIVEĺNARRATIVEĺAPPROACH ĺBUTĺINSISTEDĺTHATĺTHISĺkDOESĺNOTĺIMPLYĺ THATĺALLĺNARRATOLOGISTSĺAREĺANTI GAMEĺORĺTHATĺNARRATOLOGYĺISĺINTRINSICALLYĺOPPOSEDĺ TOĺ GAME LIKEĺ INTERACTIONlĺ ĺ  ĺ4HEĺ IMPORTANTĺ POINTĺ TOĺ DRAWĺ FROMĺ THISĺ ISĺ THATĺTHEĺIMPLICATIONĺOFĺLUDOLOGICALĺAPPROACHESĺTOĺMEDIAĺCANĺBEĺJUSTĺASĺRELEVANTĺ FORĺüLMĺASĺTHEYĺAREĺFORĺVIDEOGAMESĺ4HEĺVERYĺFACTĺTHATĺWEĺPLAYĺWITHĺTHEĺTEXTSĺWEĺ CONSUMEĺSUGGESTSĺTHATĺLUDOLOGYĺWASĺALWAYSĺAĺCENTRAL ĺIFĺNOTĺFULLYĺCONSCIOUS ĺ ASPECTĺOFĺTHEĺSTUDYĺOFĺüLMĺPRODUCTIONĺANDĺCONSUMPTIONĺ4HEĺUSEFULNESSĺOFĺAĺ LUDOLOGICALĺAPPROACHĺTOĺüLMĺSTUDIESĺCANĺBEĺILLUSTRATEDĺBYĺBRIEČYĺTURNINGĺTOĺ4HEĺ 5SUALĺ3USPECTSĺ ĺAĺNEO NOIRĺNARRATIVEĺTHATĺISĺALLĺABOUTĺTHEĺGAMEĺOFĺBUILD INGĺNARRATIVESĺ 4HEĺPRINCIPALĺNARRATOR ĺ6ERBALĺ+INTĺ+EVINĺ3PACEY ĺCREATESĺAĺSTORYĺAROUNDĺTHEĺ INFORMATIONĺTHATĺ$AVEĺ+UJANĺ#HAZZĺ0ALMINTERI ĺTHEĺ53ĺ#USTOMSĺOFüCERĺWHOĺISĺ INTERVIEWINGĺHIM ĺREQUIRESĺINĺORDERĺTOĺPUTĺCAREERĺCROOKĺ$EANĺ+EATONĺ'ABRIELĺ "YRNE ĺINĺTHEĺFRAMEĺFORĺNUMEROUSĺTHEFTSĺANDĺFRAUDSĺ!ĺGAMEĺOFĺLIMITATIONĺANDĺ CONTAINMENTĺISĺPLAYEDĺUPONĺ+UJANĺANDĺTHEĺAUDIENCEĺASĺ+INTĺWEAVESĺTOGETHERĺAĺ NARRATIVEĺFROMĺARTEFACTSĺHEĺSEESĺINĺTHEĺCLUTTEREDĺOFüCEĺINĺWHICHĺHEĺISĺBEINGĺIN TERROGATEDĺ!SSUMEDĺTOĺBEĺAĺMINORĺPLAYER ĺ+INTĺISĺACTUALLYĺCRIMINALĺMASTERMINDĺ +EYSERĺ3ÍZE ĺBOTHĺPLAYERĺANDĺGAMESĺMASTER ĺRIFüNGĺONĺBOTHĺNOIRlSĺFORMĺNARRA TIVEĺASĺAĺSTRUCTURALĺGAMEĺOFĺPERSPECTIVE ĺEMPLOTMENTĺANDĺKNOWLEDGE ĺANDĺCON TENTĺ CONSPIRACY ĺ BLINDĺ ALLEYS ĺ SECOND GUESSESĺ ANDĺ DOUBLE BLUFFS ĺ "EYONDĺ ITSĺ MISE EN SCġNE ĺ4HEĺ5SUALĺ3USPECTSĺSIGNIüESĺNOIRISHNESSĺASĺAĺüGURAL ĺMIMETICĺ FACTORĺINĺTERMSĺOFĺOURĺAWARENESSĺTHATĺWEĺAREĺBEINGĺPLAYEDĺWITHĺTHROUGHĺOURĺ KNOWLEDGELACKĺOFĺKNOWLEDGEĺOFĺTHEĺPLOTĺANDĺTHEĺNOIRĺFORM ĺANDĺASĺANĺAFFECTIVEĺ CONSTRUCTĺOURĺFATALISTICĺFRUSTRATIONĺINĺTHEĺKNOWLEDGE ĺCENTRALĺTOĺNOIR ĺTHATĺWEĺAREĺ DOOMEDĺ TOĺ MAKEĺ WRONGĺ CHOICESĺ ANDĺ REPEATĺ MISTAKES ĺ )Tĺ ISĺ THISĺ SIGNIüCATIONĺ OFĺ KNOWLEDGEĺ ANDĺ FRUSTRATIONĺ THROUGHĺ MIMESISĺ ANDĺAFFECTĺTHATĺISĺCOMMONĺTOĺ NEO NOIRĺüLMĺANDĺTHEĺSINGLE PLAYERĺGAMEĺ4HEĺLONELY ĺFRUSTRATINGĺEXISTENCEĺOFĺTHEĺ NOIRĺPROTAGONISTĺISĺREPLICATEDĺTOĺANĺEXTENTĺINĺTHEĺLONELY ĺFRUSTRATINGĺALBEIT ĺARGU ABLYĺPLEASURABLE ĺEXPERIENCEĺOFĺACHIEVINGĺTHEĺSINGLE PLAYERĺGAMElSĺINSTRUMENTALĺ OBJECTIVES !NDREWĺ$ARLEYĺARGUESĺTHATĺINĺIMMERSIVEĺENVIRONMENTSĺNARRATIVEĺCONTINUITYĺ ISĺSECONDARYĺTOĺTHEĺSIMULATIONĺk)TĺISĺTHEĺMECHANICSĺANDĺPLEASURESĺINVOLVEDĺINĺ

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THISĺPECULIARĺPRETENDEDĺRESIDENCYĺORĺVICARIOUSĺSENSEĺOFĺPRESENCEĺINĺAĺüCTIONALĺ WORLD ĺ WHICHĺ ISĺ UPPERMOSTlĺ ĺ ĺ EMPHASISĺ INĺ ORIGINAL ĺ (OWEVER ĺ THISĺ SOMEWHATĺLUDOLOGICALĺAPPROACHĺFAILSĺTOĺAPPRECIATEĺTHEĺREMEDIATIONĺOFĺNARRATIVEĺ THROUGHĺPREüGURATIVEĺPRACTICEĺANDĺTECHNOLOGICALĺDEVELOPMENT ĺANDĺTHUSĺCANNOTĺ TAKEĺACCOUNTĺOFĺTHEĺIMPACTĺTHATĺANĺAFFECTIVEĺRESPONSEĺGENERATEDĺFROMĺTHEĺPLAY ERlSĺRECOGNITIONĺOFĺANDĺPLEASUREĺINĺALLUSIONSĺTOĺOTHERĺTEXTSĺWHICHĺ-AXĺ0AYNEĺ REFORMULATESĺASĺPRECURSORSĺOFĺGAMEĺNOIR ĺMIGHTĺHAVEĺONĺHISĺORĺHERĺkREADINGlĺOFĺ THEĺGAMEĺ4HEĺGAMERlSĺIMMEDIATEĺENGAGEMENTĺWITHĺ-AXĺ0AYNEĺISĺNOTĺMERELYĺ MECHANICALĺ BUTĺ ALSOĺ EMOTIONALĺ ANDĺ SENSORY ĺ ANDĺ THISĺ ISĺ FARĺ MOREĺ DIFüCULTĺ TOĺ UNPACK ĺTHANKSĺTOĺTHEĺINČUENCEĺOFĺüLMICĺANTECEDENTS ĺTHEĺPATTERNSĺWRITTENĺINTOĺ THEĺGAMEĺANDĺTHOSEĺFOUNDĺINĺPLAYINGĺCONTEXTSĺ4HEĺGAMEĺEXPERIENCEĺISĺLOADEDĺ WITHĺVALUESĺTHATĺMIGHTĺBEĺDESCRIBEDĺASĺIDEOLOGICAL ĺBUTĺWHICHĺAREĺINČUENCEDĺBYĺ MOREĺIMMEDIATEĺFORCESĺSUCHĺASĺVEHICULARĺEMBODIMENT ĺGENERICĺSTRUCTUREĺANDĺ ECONOMICĺUNDERWRITING ĺANDĺTHUSĺEVENĺMOREĺSOĺTHANĺTHEĺüLMĺEXPERIENCEĺOFFERSĺ ANĺINSIGHTĺINTOĺPERHAPSĺTHEĺMOSTĺkNOIRISHlĺOFĺAFFECTIVEĺRESPONSESĺpĺTHEĺSENSEĺOFĺ kNOĺWAYĺOUTlĺ )NĺTHEĺ-AXĺ0AYNEĺGAMES ĺTHISĺSENSEĺOFĺENTRAPMENTĺISĺGENERATEDĺINĺWAYSĺ THATĺOFTENĺALSOĺDEMONSTRATEĺTHEĺMANIFESTATIONSĺOFĺNOIRĺACROSSĺDIFFERENTĺMEDIAĺINĺ THEĺGLOBALĺMARKETPLACE ĺEMPHASISINGĺMEDIAĺCONVERGENCESĺANDĺTHEĺPROLIFERATIONĺ OFĺCOMMODITY IDENTITIESĺACROSSĺMEDIAĺFORMSĺ)ĺWILLĺBRIEČYĺOUTLINEĺTHREEĺWAYSĺINĺ WHICHĺTHISĺHAPPENSĺINĺTHEĺüRSTĺ-AXĺ0AYNEĺGAMEĺ&IRST ĺITĺHASĺAĺLESSĺTHANĺSTRAIGHT FORWARDĺTEMPORALITY ĺCONFUSEDĺFROMĺITSĺOPENINGĺMOMENTS ĺWHICHĺSTARTĺINĺTHEĺ kNOWlĺBEFOREĺESTABLISHINGĺAĺPRESENTĺTENSEĺATĺSOMEĺPOINTĺINĺTHEĺIMMEDIATEĺPASTĺ )TĺISĺINĺTHISĺkPRESENTĺPASTlĺTHATĺMOSTĺOFĺTHEĺPLAYABLEĺSEQUENCESĺTAKEĺPLACE ĺBUTĺITĺ ISĺINTERSPERSEDĺWITHĺČASHBACKĺSEQUENCESĺPRESENTEDĺINĺGRAPHICĺNOVELĺFORMĺ4HISĺ COMPLEXĺTEMPORALĺSTRUCTUREĺOFĺAĺRETROSPECTIVEĺkPRESENTlĺISĺEVIDENTĺINĺTHEĺČASH BACKĺSTRUCTURESĺOFĺüLMĺNOIRSĺSUCHĺASĺ-URDER ĺ-Yĺ3WEET ĺ$ETOURĺ ĺ/UTĺOFĺ THEĺ0ASTĺ ĺANDĺ3UNSETĺ"LVDĺ ĺ4YPICALLY ĺTHEĺSTORYTELLERlSĺMONOLOGUEĺISĺ TAKENĺONĺTRUSTĺpĺNOĺONEĺEVERĺDOUBTSĺTHEĺVERACITYĺOFĺTHEĺTALEĺ$OUBLEĺ)NDEMNITYlSĺ .EFFĺDICTATESĺORĺSUSPECTSĺITĺOFĺBEINGĺJUSTĺSOMEĺSPICYĺSTORYĺHEĺHASĺCONCOCTEDĺ ASĺHISĺüNALĺČIRTATIONĺWITHĺ"ARTONĺ+EYESĺ%DWARDĺ'ĺ2OBINSON ĺ$ESPITEĺITSĺUSEĺ OFĺČASHBACKSĺANDĺAĺGAMEPLAYINGĺPRESENTĺSETĺINĺTHEĺRECENTĺPAST ĺ-AXĺ0AYNEĺISĺ CLEARLYĺSTRUCTUREDĺANDĺONEĺHASĺLITTLEĺREASONĺTOĺDOUBTĺTHEĺSEQUENCEĺOFĺEVENTSĺ /NEĺOFĺTHEĺREASONSĺFORĺTHISĺISĺTHEĺGAMElSĺPREOCCUPATIONĺWITHĺCAUSALITYĺ0AYNElSĺ IDEALISEDĺFAMILYĺLIFEĺISĺDESTROYEDĺ(EĺISĺLEFTĺTRAUMATISED ĺTHUSĺGIVINGĺHIMĺALLĺTHEĺ EXCUSEĺ ORĺ MOTIVATIONĺ HEĺ NEEDSĺ TOĺ BEĺ INVOLVEDĺ INĺ THEĺ DESTRUCTIONĺ OFĺ SOĺ MANYĺ LIVESĺ INĺ THEĺ GAMEĺ THEĺ PLAYERlSĺ TASKĺ THROUGHOUTĺ ISĺ SIMPLYĺ TOĺ BLASTĺ NON PLAYERĺ CHARACTERSĺINTOĺOBLIVION ĺ-AXĺ0AYNEĺ ĺHOWEVER ĺISĺDIFFERENTĺINĺTHATĺGAMEPLAYĺ ISĺINTERSPERSEDĺWITHĺFANTASYDRUG INDUCEDĺSEQUENCESĺANDĺAMBIGUITYĺ7EĺBEGINĺ TOĺQUESTIONĺTHEĺRELIABILITYĺOFĺTHEĺNARRATORĺ0AYNEĺHIMSELF ĺANDĺTHEĺRELATIONSHIPĺOFĺ WHATĺWEĺAREĺSEEINGĺTOĺWHATĺHASĺACTUALLYĺHAPPENEDĺINĺTHEĺPLOTĺ4HUS ĺTHEĺRELA TIONĺBETWEENĺTHEĺPLAYERĺANDĺTHEĺCHOICESĺTOĺBEĺMADEĺINĺGAMEPLAYĺAREĺDISLOCATEDĺ

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INĺTHEĺSENSEĺTHATĺTHEYĺDOĺNOTĺALWAYSĺEQUATEĺTOĺLOGICALĺNARRATIVEĺPROGRESSIONĺ 4HEĺ SIMILARITYĺ BETWEENĺ NOIRĺ PROTAGONISTSĺ ANDĺ SINGLE PLAYERSĺ ISĺ REMARKABLEĺ INĺ THISĺRESPECTĺ&ORĺEXAMPLE ĺ.EFFĺKNOWSĺTHATĺ0HYLLISĺISĺTROUBLE ĺBUTĺNEVERTHELESSĺ GOESĺTOĺHISĺDOOM ĺkSAFElĺINĺTHEĺAMBIVALENTĺKNOWLEDGEĺTHATĺHEĺWILLĺPAYĺFORĺHERĺ WICKEDNESSĺ&ORĺTHEĺSINGLE PLAYER ĺANTICIPATIONĺOFĺWAVEĺUPONĺWAVEĺOFĺUNKNOWNĺ ASSAILANTS ĺASĺWELLĺASĺTHEĺCONSTANTĺKNOWLEDGEĺOFĺPOSSIBLYĺIMPENDINGĺkDEATHl ĺ PRODUCEĺAĺVERYĺSIMILARĺAFFECTĺOFĺRESIGNATIONĺ 4HEĺ SECONDĺ EXAMPLEĺ ISĺ THEĺ GAMESlĺ USEĺ OFĺ CUT SCENESĺ pĺ UNPLAYABLEĺ ANI MATEDĺSEQUENCESĺTHATĺFEATUREĺTHEĺPLAYER CHARACTER ĺUSUALLYĺINĺDIALOGUE ĺORĺINĺAĺ SCENEĺTHATĺHASĺSOMEĺSIGNIüCANCEĺTOĺTHEĺPLOTĺ#UT SCENESĺAREĺCOMMONPLACEĺINĺ THIRD PERSONĺSHOOTERĺGAMES ĺANDĺAREĺOFTENĺSIGNIüEDĺBYĺAĺkLETTER BOXlĺWIDESCREENĺ EFFECT ĺ SUGGESTINGĺ Aĺ MODEĺ OFĺ REPRESENTATIONĺ TOĺ THEĺ PLAYERĺ THATĺ ISĺ SOMEHOWĺ INHERENTLYĺ CINEMATICĺ RATHERĺ THANĺ TELEVISUALĺ DESPITEĺ THEĺ TYPICALLYĺ SMALLĺ SIZEĺ OFĺ THEĺSCREENĺONĺWHICHĺITĺISĺPLAYEDĺ4HEĺGAMESlĺREMEDIATIONĺOFĺWIDESCREENĺNOTĺ ONLYĺLENDSĺCINEMATICĺAUTHENTICITYĺTOĺTHEĺCUT SCENESĺBYĺEVOKINGĺTHEĺEMBRACEĺOFĺ WIDERĺSCREENĺFORMATSĺINĺTHEĺNEO NOIRĺERA ĺBUTĺALSOĺCONSTITUTEĺANĺINVITATIONĺTOĺTHEĺ CONSUMERĺTOĺEMBRACEĺkHOMEĺCINEMAlĺFORĺEXAMPLE ĺAĺVIDEOĺPROJECTIONĺUNITĺORĺAĺ PLASMAĺSCREEN ĺFORĺGAMEPLAYINGĺ)NĺTHEĺCUT SCENES ĺTHEĺAFFECTIVEĺSPECTACLESĺOF FEREDĺBYĺBOTHĺCINEMASĺANDĺVIDEOĺARCADESĺAREĺREMEDIATEDĺFORĺDOMESTICĺSPACESĺ ANDĺPRIVATEĺCONSUMPTIONĺ)TĺSEEMSĺTHATĺSUCHĺCONNECTIONSĺBETWEENĺPRIVATEĺCON SUMPTION ĺSINGLE PLAYINGĺANDĺMODERNĺLIFEĺAREĺTYPICALLYĺkNOIRISHlĺANDĺIRRESISTIBLYĺ ALIENATING ĺAĺPOINTĺTOĺWHICHĺ)ĺWILLĺRETURNĺ&ORĺNOW ĺITĺWILLĺSUFüCEĺTOĺNOTEĺTHATĺSUCHĺ HOMEĺ ENTERTAINMENTĺ SYSTEMSĺ SEEMĺ TOĺ EMBODYĺ Aĺ DISCREPANCYĺ BETWEENĺ THEĺ GRANDĺSCALEĺOFĺSOUNDĺANDĺIMAGEĺOFFEREDĺBYĺSUCHĺTECHNOLOGYĺANDĺTHEĺCONTEXTĺ WITHINĺWHICHĺTHESEĺSPECTACLESĺAREĺCONSUMEDĺ0ERHAPSĺTHISĺISĺBECAUSEĺTHEYĺAREĺ CONüGUREDĺ FORĺ SPECTACLEĺ WITHINĺ THEĺ LIVINGĺ ROOM ĺ ENTAILINGĺ THEĺ PRIVATISATIONĺ OFĺ PLEASURE ĺEVENĺINĺCASESĺOFĺMULTIPLEĺPARTICIPANTS ĺRATHERĺTHANĺMASSĺCONSUMPTIONĺ INĺTHEĺSENSEĺOFĺATTENDINGĺTHEĺCINEMA 4HEĺ THIRDĺ EXAMPLEĺ CONCERNSĺ THEĺ GAMESlĺ USEĺ OFĺ COMIC STRIPĺ CONVENTIONS ĺ FORMALLYĺINTRODUCEDĺASĺkGRAPHICĺNOVELĺSEQUENCESl ĺFORĺTHEĺČASHBACKSĺ4HEREĺAREĺ CLEARĺHISTORICALĺCONTINUITIESĺBETWEENĺüLMĺANDĺCOMICS ĺBOTHĺOFĺTHEMĺSEQUENTIALĺ NARRATIVEĺFORMSĺEMERGINGĺINĺTHEĺLATEĺNINETEENTHĺCENTURYĺANDĺINTIMATELYĺTIEDĺTOĺ THEĺRISEĺOFĺTHEĺMODERNĺMETROPOLISĺ&ILMĺNOIRĺpĺANDĺTHEĺLURIDĺCOVERĺARTĺOFĺASSOCI ATEDĺPULPĺMAGAZINEĺANDĺPAPERBACKĺCRIMEĺüCTIONĺpĺHASĺHADĺAĺCLEARĺINČUENCEĺONĺ COMICĺBOOKS ĺFROMĺ7ILLĺ%ISNERlSĺ4HEĺ3PIRITĺp ĺTOĺTHEĺAPPEARANCEĺOFĺ&RANKĺ -ILLERlSĺORIGINALĺ3INĺ#ITYĺSTORIESĺINĺTHEĺ$ARKĺ(ORSEĺ0RESENTSĺCOMICSĺp ĺ 4HISĺ INČUENCEĺ HASĺ ENJOYEDĺ CONTINUEDĺ PROMINENCEĺ pĺ THEĺ GREEN SCREENEDĺ 3INĺ #ITYĺ  ĺ ADAPTATIONĺ ANDĺ THEĺ ROTOSCOPEDĺ INTOĺ BLACK AND WHITEĺ 2ENAISSANCEĺ  ĺUSEĺCUTTINGĺEDGEĺDIGITALĺTECHNOLOGIESĺINĺORDERĺTOĺLOOKĺASĺMUCHĺLIKEĺCOMICĺ BOOKSĺ ASĺ POSSIBLEĺ )Tĺ ISĺ ALSOĺ WORTHĺ NOTINGĺ THATĺ -AXĺ 0AYNElSĺ MOTIVATIONĺ pĺ THEĺ CRIMINALĺMURDERĺOFĺHISĺFAMILYĺpĺISĺSIMILARĺTOĺTHATĺOFĺ$#lSĺ"ATMANĺANDĺ-ARVELlSĺ 4HEĺ0UNISHER ĺWHOĺDEBUTEDĺINĺĺANDĺ ĺRESPECTIVELYĺ-AXĺ0AYNElSĺGRAPH

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ICĺNOVELĺSEQUENCESĺAREĺALSOĺHIGHLYĺREMINISCENTĺOFĺPOSTERĺART ĺALLUSIONSĺTOĺWHICHĺ ABOUNDĺINĺNEO NOIRĺANDĺMAYĺBEĺTRACEDĺBACKĺATĺLEASTĺASĺFARĺASĺONEĺOFĺTHEĺMOSTĺ FAMOUSĺINTERTEXTUALĺMOMENTSĺINĺ%UROPEANĺCINEMAĺ*EAN ,UCĺ'ODARDlSĺUSEĺOFĺ (UMPHREYĺ"OGARTĺPOSTERSĺINĺHISĺNEO NOIRĺPROTOTYPE ĺĴĺBOUTĺDEĺSOUFČÀ"REATH LESSĺ  ĺ )NTERESTINGLYĺ ENOUGH ĺ ITĺ ISĺ ALSOĺ INĺ THISĺ üLMĺ THATĺ WEĺ SEEĺ ANĺ EARLYĺ INSTANCEĺOFĺFOREGROUNDEDĺSELF REFERENTIALITYĺINĺRELATIONĺTOĺTHEĺFATALISMĺOFĺTHEĺNOIRĺ PROTAGONISTĺ-ICHELĺ*EAN 0AULĺ"ELMONDO ĺCLEARLYĺMODELSĺHIMSELFĺONĺ"OGARTlSĺ FATALISTĺONSCREENĺPERSONAĺHEĺANTICIPATESĺHISĺOWNĺDOOMĺBYĺATTEMPTINGĺAĺFUTILEĺ GETAWAY ĺANDĺISĺALSOĺVERYĺAWAREĺOFĺHISĺDOOMEDĺRELATIONSHIPĺTOĺHISĺOWNĺFEMME FATALE WHO IS NOT ONE ĺ 0ATRICIAĺ *EANĺ 3EBERG ĺ7HENĺ HEĺ CALLSĺ HERĺ Aĺ SALOPEĺ FORĺ RATTINGĺHIMĺOUTĺTOĺTHEĺPOLICE ĺWEĺKNOWĺTHATĺHEĺHASĺFULüLLEDĺHISĺFATALĺFANTASY )TĺISĺALSOĺSIGNIüCANTĺTHATĺTHEĺGRAPHICĺNOVELĺČASHBACKĺSEQUENCESĺAREĺDRAWNĺINĺ VIVIDĺWATERCOLOURSĺRATHERĺTHANĺBLACK AND WHITE ĺWHICHĺSITSĺWELLĺWITHĺCONTEMPO RARYĺ(OLLYWOODĺNEO NOIRĺüLMĺPRODUCTIONĺ&ORĺEXAMPLE ĺ-EMENTOĺ ĺHASĺAĺ SKEWEDĺTEMPORALITYĺTHATĺSEESĺTHEĺPRESENT ĺFORWARD MOVINGĺTIMEĺFRAMEĺüLMEDĺ INĺ BLACK AND WHITE ĺ ANDĺ ITSĺ RETROSPECTIVEĺ SEQUENCES ĺ EDITEDĺ INĺ REVERSEĺ ORDER ĺ SHOWNĺINĺFULLĺCOLOURĺSEEĺ4HOMASĺINĺTHISĺVOLUME ĺ4HISĺINVERTSĺTHEĺCONVENTIONĺINĺ WHICHĺTHEĺPRESENTĺISĺSHOWNĺINĺCOLOURĺANDĺČASHBACKSĺINĺBLACK AND WHITEĺpĺWHICHĺ NOTĺONLYĺCONNOTESĺPAST NESSĺBECAUSEĺITĺDATESĺFROMĺBEFOREĺCOLOURĺBECAMEĺ(OL LYWOODlSĺDOMINANTĺPRESENTATIONALĺMODE ĺBUTĺALSOĺVERACITYĺ-EMENTOĺTHUSĺNOTĺ ONLYĺLENDSĺTHEĺSUBVERSIONĺOFĺNARRATIVEĺTEMPORALITYĺINĺCONTEMPORARYĺMAINSTREAMĺ üLMMAKINGĺANĺkAUTHENTICITY EFFECTlĺBYĺDEPICTINGĺTHEĺHERE AND NOWĺINĺBLACK AND WHITE ĺ BUTĺ ALSOĺ PROVIDESĺ Aĺ PRECEDENTĺ 3EVERALĺ URBANĺ NEO NOIRSĺ FEATURINGĺ BOTHĺ TRAUMATICĺ EXPERIENCEĺ ANDĺ THEĺ VISIBILITYĺ OFĺ THEĺ EDITINGĺ PROCESSĺ HAVEĺ FOLLOWED ĺ INCLUDINGĺ)RRÀVERSIBLE)RREVERSIBLEĺ ĺINĺWHICHĺTHEĺVIEWERĺISĺCONSTANTLYĺRE MINDEDĺOFĺTHEIRĺCOMPLICITYĺINĺTHEĺHORRIüCĺSCENESĺWHICHĺUNFOLDĺBEFOREĺTHEĺCAM ERAlSĺGAZEĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺCONSCIOUSĺACTĺOFĺLOOKINGĺ!SĺMENTIONEDĺEARLIER ĺATĺTHEĺ BEGINNINGĺOFĺ-AXĺ0AYNEĺ ĺ0AYNEĺISĺINTRODUCEDĺWANDERINGĺAROUNDĺAĺHOSPITALĺINĺ ANĺALTEREDĺSTATE ĺWHICHĺISĺSIGNIüEDĺBYĺBLURREDĺVISIONĺANDĺTHEĺONSCREENĺAVATARlSĺ FAILUREĺTOĺRESPONDĺACCURATELYĺTOĺTHEĺCOMMANDSĺTHATĺTHEĺPLAYERĺISĺTRANSMITTINGĺ VIAĺTHEĺCONTROLĺPADĺ4HEĺVOICE OVERĺTELLSĺUSĺTHATĺTHISĺCONDITIONĺISĺTHEĺRESULTĺOFĺ BLOODĺLOSSĺANDĺMEDICATION ĺBUTĺTHISĺKNOWLEDGEĺDOESĺNOTĺMAKEĺTHEĺEXPERIENCEĺ ANYĺLESSĺDISQUIETINGĺ4HEĺDISSONANCEĺBETWEENĺTHEĺPLAYERlSĺCOMMANDSĺANDĺTHEĺ AVATARlSĺACTIONSĺPRODUCESĺAĺFRUSTRATIONĺTHATĺMAYĺBEĺASSOCIATEDĺWITHĺNOIR ĺPLAYINGĺ SUBTLYĺWITHĺTHEĺPLAYERĺANDĺSPECTATORĺALIKE ĺUNNERVINGĺANDĺUNSETTLINGĺCOMFORTABLEĺ PLAYINGVIEWINGĺSTRATEGIESĺ)NĺTHISĺSENSE ĺ-AXĺ0AYNEĺĺHASĺMUCHĺINĺCOMMONĺ WITHĺ)RRÀVERSIBLE ĺWHICHĺOPENSĺWITHĺAĺDISORIENTATINGĺCOMBINATIONĺOFĺRELENTLESSĺ SPINNINGĺCAMERAĺMOVEMENTS ĺPAYINGĺLITTLEĺHEEDĺTOĺLAWSĺOFĺGRAVITYĺORĺPHYSICALĺ RELATIONSĺTOĺPROPRIOCEPTIVEĺSTATE ĺANDĺTHEĺSOUNDTRACKlSĺUSEĺOFĺAĺNEAR INAUDIBLEĺ HUM ĺSETĺATĺTHEĺVERYĺLOWESTĺFREQUENCYĺOFĺHUMANĺHEARINGĺ)TĺGIVESĺTHEĺSENSATIONĺ OFĺNAUSEA ĺESTRANGEMENTĺANDĺGENERALĺDISCOMFORTĺpĺALLĺAFFECTIVEĺRESPONSESĺTHATĺ MAYĺBEĺATTRIBUTEDĺALBEITĺINĺATTENUATEDĺFORM ĺTOĺTHEĺTRADITIONSĺOFĺNOIRĺ

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4HEĺ NOIRISHĺ ENTRAPMENTĺ OFĺ THEĺ -AXĺ 0AYNEĺ GAMESĺ IS ĺ THEN ĺ RELATEDĺ TOĺ THEĺ WAYSĺ INĺ WHICHĺ THEĺ GAMESĺ DRAWĺ UPONĺ NOIRĺ INĺ ALLĺ ITSĺ MEDIAĺ FORMSĺ pĺ ASĺ Aĺ KINDĺ OFĺGLOBALĺINFORMATIONĺCAPITALĺ4HEĺGAMEĺCONSTRUCTSĺANĺENVIRONMENTĺANDĺEXPERI ENCEĺCOMPOSEDĺOFĺPREüGUREDĺGENERICĺCOMPONENTSĺTHATĺAREĺUTTERLYĺCONSTRAININGĺ EVENĺAS ĺEQUALLYĺINEVITABLY ĺITĺHASĺTHEĺCAPACITYĺTOĺGENERATEĺANĺINüNITEĺNUMBERĺ OFĺPERMUTATIONSĺASĺONEĺPLAYSĺ!SĺAĺRESULT ĺTHEĺGAMEĺOFFERSĺAĺPECULIARLYĺREALISTICĺ EXPERIENCEĺFORĺTHEĺPLAYERĺ&REDRICĺ*AMESONĺWRITES Realism is conventionally evoked in terms of passive reflection and copying, subordinate to some external reality, and fully as much a grim duty as a pleasure of any kind. Pleasure is, however, generally in aesthetic experience an exercise of praxis, and even the various aesthetics of play are easily adjusted to forms of production, by way of a notion of freedom as control over one’s own destiny. (1992: 162) (ERE ĺWEĺGETĺAĺSENSEĺOFĺTHEĺWAYSĺINĺWHICHĺPLAYINGĺACCORDINGĺTOĺTYPEĺISĺPLEASUR ABLEĺANDĺDISPLEASURABLEĺINĺEQUALĺMEASURESĺ4HEĺkGRIMĺDUTYlĺOFĺPLAYINGĺTOĺTYPEĺ FEELSĺ LIKEĺ FREEDOM ĺ WHENĺ ITĺ IS ĺ INĺ FACT ĺ Aĺ HIGHLYĺ CONTROLLEDĺ SETĺ OFĺ CHOICESĺ THATĺ ENABLEĺTHEĺPLAYERĺTOĺENTERTAINĺFREEDOMĺASĺAĺNOTIONALĺOPTIONĺ4HISĺISĺHIGHLIGHTEDĺ INĺTHEĺGAMESlĺCOMPLEXĺINTERPLAYĺBETWEENĺREAL WORLDĺREFERENTIALITYĺANDĺGENERICĺ VERISIMILITUDEĺ&ORĺEXAMPLE ĺTHEĺSOUNDĺOFĺFOOTSTEPSĺCORRESPONDSĺDIRECTLYĺTOĺTHEĺ FOOTFALLSĺOFĺTHEĺ0AYNEĺAVATAR ĺADHERINGĺNOTĺONLYĺTOĺREAL WORLDĺRULESĺBUTĺALSOĺTHOSEĺ OFĺ üLMĺ NOIRĺ ITĺ ISĺ NOTĺ JUSTĺ THEĺ SOUNDĺ OFĺ FOOTSTEPS ĺ BUTĺ THEĺ SOUNDĺ OFĺ Aĺ SMARTLYĺ ADORNEDĺFOOTĺFALLINGĺONĺWETĺASPHALT ĺECHOINGĺINĺANĺEMPTYĺSTREETĺORĺSTAIRWELL ĺTHEĺ SOUNDĺOFĺCOUNTLESSĺGUMSHOESĺANDĺPRIVATEĺDICKSĺWALKINGĺALONEĺDOWNĺTHOSEĺVERYĺ LONELYĺSTREETSĺ#ERTAINLY ĺINĺ-AXĺ0AYNE ĺNOIRĺMANIFESTSĺITSELFĺMOSTĺSIGNIüCANTLYĺ INĺ THEĺ ENVIRONMENTĺ INĺ WHICHĺ MOSTĺ OFĺ THEĺ PLOTPLAYĺ TAKESĺ PLACEĺ WAREHOUSES ĺ DOCKYARDS ĺ BACKĺ ENTRANCESĺ TOĺ EMPTYĺ BUILDINGS ĺ OFTENĺ INĺ Aĺ STATEĺ OFĺ DERELICTION ĺ ABANDONEDĺSITESĺOFĺBURNT OUTĺENTERPRISEĺ3IRENSĺECHOĺINĺTHEĺDISTANCE ĺREMIND INGĺTHEĺPLAYERĺOFĺ0AYNElSĺOWNĺOUTLAWĺSTATUSĺASĺHEĺSEEKSĺTOĺWIPEĺOUTĺTHEĺDRUGĺ GANGSĺ(OWEVER ĺTHEĺSOCIALĺREALISTĺSETTINGĺWITHINĺWHICHĺNOIRĺSEEMSĺTOĺTHRIVEĺISĺASĺ MUCHĺTOĺDOĺWITHĺRECOGNISINGĺITĺASĺAĺNOIR ISHĺENVIRONMENT ĺINĺTHEĺGRITTY ĺUNCANNILYĺ TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORTĺSENSE ĺASĺITĺHASĺTOĺDOĺWITHĺANYĺCLAIMĺTOĺSOCIALĺCOMMEN TARYĺ4HEĺFACTĺTHATĺTHEĺICONOGRAPHYĺHASĺBEENĺREMEDIATEDĺINĺAĺFORMĺCOMMONLYĺ REGARDEDĺASĺTRIVIALĺAĺGAME ĺSEEMSĺTOĺAMPLIFYĺTHISĺEFFECTĺINĺTHEĺSENSEĺTHATĺTHEĺ PLEASURABLEĺRECOGNITIONĺOFĺSUCHĺINTERTEXTUALĺREFERENCESĺAPPEARĺTOĺBEĺTHEĺPOINTĺOFĺ -AXĺ0AYNEĺ"OTHĺFORMĺANDĺCONTENTĺHEREĺARGUABLYĺPREüGUREĺAĺKINDĺOFĺNARRATIVEĺ ONEĺMIGHTĺIDENTIFYĺWITHĺTHEĺAESTHETICISATIONĺOFĺTHEĺPOLITICALĺAND ĺASĺSUCH ĺENGAGEĺ ANĺALIENATEDĺINTERACTIONĺBETWEENĺPLAYERĺANDĺGAMEĺ)TĺISĺWITHĺSOMEĺIRONYĺTHATĺONEĺ FREELYĺPLAYSĺTHEĺCONSTRAINEDĺACTIVITIESĺOFĺAĺPLAYER CHARACTERĺSUCHĺASĺ0AYNE 0LAYER AGENCYĺINĺTHEĺSINGLE PLAYERĺGAMEĺISĺFELTĺASĺEMBODIEDĺANDĺIMMEDIATEĺ 4HEĺ PLAYERĺ RESPONDSĺ TOĺ THEĺ GAME ĺ ANDĺ MOSTĺ OFĺ THEĺ TIMEĺ THEĺ GAMEĺ RESPONDSĺ TOĺ THEĺ PLAYERĺ ALTHOUGHĺ ITĺ DOESĺ SOMETIMESĺ IGNOREĺ COMMANDSĺ BECAUSEĺ OFĺ THEĺ

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DEMANDSĺOFĺTHEĺPLOT ĺ-OREĺSIGNIüCANTLY ĺTHEĺGAMEĺONLYĺALLOWSĺAĺCERTAINĺSETĺOFĺ ACTIONSĺTOĺSUSTAINĺPLAYĺ4HUS ĺPLAYER AGENCYĺISĺASĺMUCHĺGRIMĺDUTYĺASĺITĺISĺPLEAS URE ĺINĺTHAT ĺASĺ-AXĺ0AYNE ĺTHEĺPLAYERlSĺACTIONSĺAREĺCURTAILEDĺBYĺPLOT ĺMISSIONĺANDĺ THEĺAIMSĺOFĺTHEĺNOIRĺPROTAGONISTĺ/THERĺGAMESĺCONTAINĺSUBSIDIARYĺMISSIONSĺANDĺ DIEGETICĺGAMESĺWHICHĺRARELYĺEMPHASISEĺTHEĺSAMEĺINSTRUMENTALĺFOCUSĺGOAL ORI ENTEDĺACCUMULATION ĺASĺTHEĺMAINĺNARRATIVEĺELEMENTSĺANDĺTHEREFOREĺALLOWĺAĺSENSEĺ OFĺFREEDOMĺOFĺCHOICEĺ&ORĺEXAMPLE ĺINĺ'4!ĺ3ANĺ!NDREASĺ ĺSUBSIDIARYĺGYMĺ ANDĺGAMBLINGĺGAMESĺPROVIDEĺAVENUESĺOFĺACCUMULATIONĺWHICHĺENABLEĺTHEĺPLAYERĺ TOĺPROGRESSĺINĺTHEĺMAINĺGAME ĺBUTĺTHEĺARCADEĺGAMEĺINĺTHEĺBARĺEXISTSĺMERELYĺTOĺ BEĺPLAYEDĺ4HATĺIS ĺTHEIRĺFUNCTIONĺWITHINĺTHEĺMAINĺGAMElSĺGOAL ORIENTATIONĺISĺAM BIGUOUS ĺAPPROACHINGĺTHEĺPOSSIBILITYĺOFĺkPUREĺGAMElĺANDĺTHUSĺALLOWINGĺAĺSENSEĺ OFĺAFFECTIVEĺFREEDOMĺ7ITHINĺTHEĺ-AXĺ0AYNEĺSERIES ĺHOWEVER ĺTHEREĺISĺVERYĺLITTLEĺ INĺTHEĺWAYĺOFĺSUBPLOTĺTOĺGIVEĺTHEĺEXCUSEĺTOĺDESIGNĺSUBSIDIARYĺTASKS ĺMAKINGĺITSĺ CURTAILMENTĺ OFĺ AGENCYĺ EVENĺ MOREĺ APPARENTĺ !NDĺ JUSTĺ ASĺ THEĺ NOIRĺ PROTAGONISTĺ GOESĺKNOWINGLYĺTOĺHISĺDOOM ĺSOĺTOOĺDOESĺTHEĺSINGLE PLAYER ĺENAMOUREDĺOFĺTHEĺ PLEASURESĺAFFORDEDĺBYĺLATEĺCAPITALISMĺANDĺDERIVINGĺAĺFEELINGĺOFĺAGENCYĺTHROUGHĺAĺ CONSUMERlSĺPLAYFUL ĺKNOWINGĺMASTERYĺOVERĺTHEĺGAME ĺEVENĺASĺTHEĺGAMEĺNEGATESĺ MASTERYĺTHROUGHĺITSĺCONTAINMENTĺOFĺKNOWLEDGE ĺMOVEMENTĺANDĺRESPONSEĺ )NĺTHINKINGĺABOUTĺPREüGURATIONĺASĺAĺPROCESSĺTHATĺOPERATESĺACCORDINGĺTOĺTYPE ĺ WEĺ MIGHTĺ SAYĺ THATĺ kNOIRISHNESSlĺ MAYĺ BEĺ SIGNIüEDĺ ASĺ BOTHĺ Aĺ üGURAL ĺ MIMETICĺ FACTORĺ ANDĺ ASĺ ANĺ AFFECTIVEĺ CONSTRUCTĺ pĺ Aĺ TONEĺ ANDĺ Aĺ MOODĺ4HISĺ SIGNIüCATIONĺ THROUGHĺ THEĺ MIMESISĺ ANDĺ AFFECTĺ OFĺ KNOWLEDGEĺ ANDĺ FRUSTRATIONĺ ISĺ PERHAPSĺ THEĺ RECURSIVEĺELEMENTĺMOSTĺEASILYĺIDENTIüABLEĺASĺPREüGUREDĺINĺBOTHĺNEO NOIRĺüLMSĺ ANDĺINĺSINGLE PLAYERĺGAMESĺ0AULĺ2ICOEURĺ ĺARGUESĺTHATĺWEĺNEEDĺTOĺCON SIDERĺNARRATIVEĺANDĺITSĺPRESENTATIONĺTHROUGHĺITSĺRELATIONSHIPĺWITHĺTIME ĺANDĺTHEĺ WAYĺINĺWHICHĺTHEĺFUNCTIONĺOFĺNARRATIVEĺBECOMESĺCLEARĺTOĺTHEĺREADERĺSPECIüCALLYĺ THROUGHĺTHEĺRETELLINGĺ)NĺTERMSĺOFĺLUDOLOGY ĺTHISĺISĺREMARKABLYĺUSEFUL ĺASĺGAMESĺ TENDĺTOĺBEĺHABITUALLYĺREPLAYEDĺ#ERTAINĺSECTIONSĺOFĺTHEĺGAMEĺAPPEARĺTOĺBEĺMOREĺ DIFüCULTĺ THANĺ OTHERS ĺ SOMEĺ REQUIREĺ DIFFERENTĺ SETSĺ OFĺ SKILLS ĺ ORĺ DEMANDĺ OFĺ THEĺ PLAYERĺAĺMOREĺCHALLENGINGĺMOTORĺORĺCOGNITIVEĺTASK ĺDEPENDINGĺONĺTHEĺOCCASIONĺ /FĺCOURSE ĺWHEREĺ2ICOEURĺCONSIDERSĺTHEĺIMPLICATIONSĺOFĺINTERPRETATIONĺANDĺRE ITERATIONĺ UPONĺ THEĺ READING ĺ TELLINGĺ ANDĺ RETELLINGĺ OFĺ HISTORY ĺ WEĺ NEEDĺ TOĺ THINKĺ MOREĺ CONCRETELYĺ ABOUTĺ THEĺ EFFECTĺ OFĺ ENDLESSĺ REPETITIONĺ OFĺ INSTRUMENTALĺ TASKSĺ NECESSARYĺTOĺTHEĺPROGRESSĺOFĺTHEĺNARRATIVEĺINĺREPLAYINGĺPARTICULARLYĺDIFüCULTĺPAS SAGESĺOFĺTHEĺGAMEĺ)NDEED ĺONEĺMUSTĺCONSIDERĺTHEĺREPETITIONĺOFĺHISTORYĺINĺTHEĺ CASEĺOFĺREPLAYINGĺTHEĺGAMEĺINĺITSĺENTIRETYĺpĺAĺPASTIMEĺNOTĺUNCOMMONĺINĺGAMESĺ WITHĺMULTIPLEĺENDINGSĺSUCHĺASĺTHEĺ3ILENTĺ(ILLĺSERIESĺpPRESENT ĺ/NEĺNEEDSĺ TOĺREGARDĺTHESEĺPREüGURATIVEĺENTANGLEMENTSĺASĺBEINGĺREMEDIATEDĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺ GENERICĺ CONVENTIONSĺ OFĺ THEĺ THIRD PERSONĺ SHOOTERĺ GAMEĺ4HEĺ GAME ĺ THEĺ üLMSĺ ANDĺOTHERĺRELATEDĺTEXTSĺFROMĺWHICHĺITĺLIBERALLYĺBORROWSĺANDĺTHEĺCONVENTIONSĺOFĺ ADAPTATIONALĺSTRATEGYĺFROMĺüLMĺTOĺGAME ĺFROMĺGAMEĺTOĺüLM ĺIMPACTĺUPONĺONEĺ ANOTHERĺ INĺ VARIOUSĺ WAYSĺ TOĺ EXPRESSĺ ANDĺ EXPLOITĺ THEĺ GENERICĺ CONVENTIONSĺ ANDĺ

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TYPESĺAVAILABLEĺTOĺTHEĺCONSUMERĺ"YĺPLAYINGĺWITHĺCONVENTIONALĺGENERICĺTYPE ĺAĺ STRATEGYĺUPONĺWHICHĺTHEĺGAMEĺINDUSTRYĺHASĺTHRIVEDĺINĺRECENTĺYEARS ĺPRODUCTIONĺ HOUSESĺAREĺABLEĺTOĺTAPĺINTOĺAUDIENCESĺWHOĺAREĺFAMILIARĺWITHĺANDĺFAVOURĺCERTAINĺ GAMEĺANDĺüLMĺGENRESĺ4HIS ĺRATHERĺINEVITABLY ĺLEADSĺUSĺTOĺAĺBOTTOM LINEĺMOTIVEĺ FORĺCULTURALĺPRODUCTIONĺpĺTHEĺECONOMIC "UTĺTHEĺEXPRESSIONĺOFĺTHEĺECONOMICĺINĺSUCHĺCULTURALĺPRODUCTIONĺMANIFESTSĺIT SELFĺINĺAĺNUMBERĺOFĺAESTHETICALLYĺINTERESTINGĺWAYSĺ&IRST ĺTHEĺTHIRD PERSONĺSHOOT ERĺGENREĺISĺONEĺTHATĺISĺBOTHĺHIGHLYĺPOPULARĺANDĺČEXIBLEĺINĺITSĺFORMAT ĺALTHOUGHĺ THISĺČEXIBILITYĺISĺENTIRELYĺCONTAINEDĺWITHINĺPATTERNSĺWHICHĺAREĺIMMEDIATELYĺREC OGNISABLEĺASĺBELONGINGĺTOĺTYPEĺ)TĺISĺALSOĺUSUALLYĺAĺSINGLE PLAYERĺGAMEĺ3ECOND ĺ ADVANCESĺ INĺ #')ĺ TECHNOLOGYĺ HAVEĺ MEANTĺ THATĺ THEĺ VIEWPOINTĺ OFĺ THEĺ PLAYERĺ ISĺ VERYĺ ČEXIBLEĺ4HEĺ DEFAULTĺ POSITIONĺ OFĺ THEĺ kCAMERAl ĺ WHICHĺ FOLLOWSĺ THEĺ CHARAC TERĺAROUNDĺTHEĺVIRTUALĺENVIRONMENT ĺISĺABOUTĺSIXĺVIRTUALĺFEETĺBEHINDĺTHEĺAVATARĺ !LTHOUGHĺ INCREASEDĺ ČEXIBILITYĺ ALLOWSĺ FORĺ GREATERĺ CONTROLĺ OFĺ THEĺ VIRTUALĺ CAMERAĺ THROUGHĺTHEĺGAMEĺCONTROLLER PADĺSUCHĺASĺ DEGREEĺTILTINGĺANDĺTRACKING ĺTHEĺ CAMERAĺ ALMOSTĺ ALWAYSĺ RETURNSĺ TOĺ THISĺ DEFAULTĺ POSITIONĺ INĺ THEĺ HEATĺ OFĺ PLAYĺ )Nĺ THISĺSENSEĺITĺISĺPREüGURED ĺANDĺTHISĺPREüGURATIONĺHASĺTHEĺINEVITABLEĺCHARACTERĺOFĺ REMEDIATION ĺASĺTHISĺISĺNOTĺONLYĺAĺCONVENTIONĺOFĺTHEĺTHIRD PERSONĺSHOOTER ĺBUTĺISĺ ALSOĺREMINISCENTĺOFĺTHOSEĺOFĺüLMĺANDĺTELEVISIONĺ!Sĺ'EOFFĺ+INGĺANDĺ4ANYAĺ+RZY WINSKAĺPOINTĺOUT ĺk'AMESĺREMEDIATEĺASPECTSĺOFĺCINEMAĺINCLUDINGĺFORMSĺOFĺPLOT TINGĺOFĺPOINT OF VIEWĺSTRUCTURES ĺWHILEĺCINEMA ĺINĺRETURN ĺREMEDIATESĺASPECTSĺ OFĺGAMESĺESPECIALLYĺINĺTHEĺUSEĺOFĺDIGITALĺGRAPHICSĺINĺSPECIALĺEFFECTS lĺĺ ĺ 4HISĺSTRUCTURALĺPLAYĺANDĺAESTHETICĺARE ĺOFĺCOURSE ĺDRIVENĺBYĺAVAILABLEĺCOMPUTERĺ TECHNOLOGY ĺBUTĺALSOĺSIGNIüCANTLYĺACTĺASĺAĺDRIVERĺFORĺTHEĺDEVELOPMENTĺOFĺTECHNOL OGYĺ TOĺ DELIVERĺ THEĺ KINDĺ OFĺ IMPACTĺ AESTHETICSĺ THATĺ HAVEĺ BECOMEĺ CONVENTIONALĺ 4HISĺIS ĺINĺEFFECT ĺAĺREPLAYINGĺOFĺAĺFAMILIARĺTECHNOLOGICALCULTURALĺDETERMINISTĺRE CIPROCATIONĺTHATĺTENDSĺTOĺCHARACTERISEĺTHEĺEVOLUTIONĺOFĺIMAGEĺTECHNOLOGIESĺ)Tĺ üNDSĺITSĺIMMEDIATELYĺRECOGNISABLEĺEXPRESSIONĺINĺSUCHĺCONTEMPORARYĺFRANCHISESĺ ASĺ THEĺ $OOMĺ üRST PERSONĺ SHOOTERĺ SERIESĺ p ĺ ANDĺ THEĺ üLMĺ VERSION ĺ $OOMĺ ĺINĺWHICHĺANĺENTIREĺACTIONĺSEQUENCEĺISĺDEVOTEDĺTOĺTHEĺSIMULATIONĺ OFĺTHEĺGAMINGĺEXPERIENCEĺ)TĺIS ĺSIGNIüCANTLY ĺAĺGAME LIKEĺüLMĺEXPERIENCEĺANDĺ THEĺPLEASURABLEĺRECOGNITIONĺAROUSEDĺINĺTHEĺüLMGOERĺOFĺSUCHĺAĺSTATEĺISĺPALPABLEĺ (OWEVER ĺITĺISĺNOTĺJUSTĺTHEĺTECHNOLOGICALĺANDĺTHEĺAESTHETICĺTHATĺAREĺAFFECTEDĺ BYĺTHISĺEVOLUTIONINVOLUTIONĺ2ETURNINGĺTOĺAFFECTIVEĺRESPONSEĺINĺTHEĺCRITICISMĺOFĺ THEĺINTERFACEĺBETWEENĺGAMINGĺANDĺVISUALĺCULTUREĺINĺGENERAL ĺITĺISĺTHEĺKINAESTHET ICĺTHATĺEMERGESĺASĺTHEĺIMPORTANTĺFACTORĺHERE ĺTHEĺEMBODIEDĺRELATIONĺBETWEENĺ PLAYERĺANDĺAVATAR ĺTHROUGHĺWHICHĺONEĺINTERACTSĺWITHĺTHEĺTEXTĺPHYSICALLYĺ!SĺWEĺ HAVEĺSEEN ĺHOWEVER ĺTHISĺPHYSICALĺRELATIONĺISĺCHARACTERISEDĺBYĺAĺCURTAILMENTĺOFĺ KNOWLEDGEĺANDĺACTION ĺTYPICALĺOFĺTHEĺNOIRĺANDĺNEO NOIRĺPROTAGONIST ĺBUTĺEMBOD IEDĺBYĺTHEĺGRIMĺDUTYĺOFĺTHEĺSINGLE PLAYERĺINĺPARTICULARĺ)NĺAĺSENSE ĺTHEN ĺWHATĺISĺ ATĺSTAKEĺISĺTHEĺVERYĺNOTIONĺOFĺkINTERACTIVITYlĺASĺAĺMATERIALISATIONĺOFĺAGENCYĺINĺBOTHĺ THEĺ NARRATIVEĺ ANDĺ KINAESTHETICĺ SENSEĺ4HROUGHĺ LUDOLOGICALĺ ANALYSIS ĺ THISĺ QUES

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99

TIONĺBECOMESĺMOREĺAĺMATTERĺOFĺRETROSPECTIONĺIFĺPLAYER AGENCYĺINĺGAMEĺNOIRĺISĺ CHARACTERISEDĺPRIMARILYĺBYĺCURTAILEDĺKNOWLEDGEĺANDĺACTION ĺTHENĺPERHAPSĺTHISĺISĺ AĺMEREĺREČECTIONĺOFĺTHEĺWAYSĺTHATĺTHEĺMOREĺGENERALĺRELATIONSHIPĺBETWEENĺSPEC TATORSHIPĺANDĺüLMĺNOIRĺWASĺALWAYSĺCHARACTERISEDĺ)NĺTHEĺLIGHTĺOFĺTHIS ĺONEĺMIGHTĺ SAYĺTHATĺINĺNOIR ĺITĺISĺNOTĺJUSTĺTHEĺSTREETSĺTHATĺAREĺLONELYĺBUTĺALSOĺTHEĺROOMS

NOTES 1ĺĺ 2OURKElSĺNEO NOIRSĺINCLUDEĺ9EARĺOFĺTHEĺ$RAGONĺ ĺ.INEĺ×ĺ7EEKSĺ ĺ!NGELĺ

(EARTĺ ĺ*OHNNYĺ(ANDSOMEĺ ĺ$ESPERATEĺ(OURSĺ ĺ3INĺ#ITYĺ ĺANDĺ +ILLSHOTĺ ĺ4HEĺCASTINGĺOFĺ3AMĺ,AKEĺASĺ-AXĺ0AYNEĺHADĺLESSĺTOĺDOĺWITHĺHISĺRESEM BLANCEĺTOĺ2OURKEĺTHANĺWITHĺüNANCIALĺCONSTRAINTSĺ4HEĺWRITERĺANDĺPROGRAMMERĺOFĺTHEĺ ORIGINALĺGAME ĺ,AKEĺMODELLEDĺFORĺTHEĺCHARACTERĺWHENĺAĺSUITABLEĺACTORĺCOULDĺNOTĺBEĺ FOUNDĺWITHINĺTHEĺBUDGETĺ)TĺMAYĺHAVEĺBEENĺAĺHAPPYĺACCIDENT ĺBUTĺTHEĺSELF CONSCIOUSĺ CASTINGĺOFĺTELEVISIONĺACTORĺ4IMOTHYĺ'IBBS ĺWHOĺALSOĺRESEMBLESĺ2OURKE ĺINĺTHEĺPRESUM ABLYĺ BIGGER BUDGETEDĺ SECONDĺ GAME ĺ ANTICIPATESĺ THEĺ RESEMBLANCE ĺ ANDĺ THEREFOREĺ ISĺ PREüGURATIVE 2ĺĺ 3EEĺ'RODALĺ ĺFORĺANĺINTRODUCTIONĺTOĺCOGNITIVISTĺüLMĺANALYSIS ĺ&ROMEĺ ĺFORĺANĺ

APPROACHĺTOĺSPECTATORSHIPĺTHATĺENGAGESĺWITHĺPHYSIOLOGICALĺANDĺCOGNITIVEĺPROCESSES ĺ ANDĺ(ILLSĺ ĺFORĺAĺCRITIQUEĺOFĺCOGNITIVISTĺAPPROACHESĺTOĺHORROR ĺüLMĺFANDOM 3ĺĺ &ORĺANĺOVERVIEWĺOFĺTHEĺüELD ĺSEEĺWWWGAMESTUDIESORG 4ĺĺ !LTHOUGH ĺFORĺSOMEĺEXCEPTIONSĺSEEĺ"RITTONĺ ĺONĺ$ETOURĺANDĺ"OULDĺĺp ĺ

ONĺ,ADYĺINĺTHEĺ,AKEĺ  5ĺĺ 4HISĺ DISORIENTATIONĺ STRATEGYĺ ISĺ FAIRLYĺ COMMONĺ INĺ THIRD PERSONĺ GAMESĺ &ORĺ EXAMPLE ĺ

WHENĺTHEĺPLAYER CHARACTERĺDRINKSĺTOOĺMUCHĺINĺ&ABLEĺ ĺTHEĺAVATARĺRESPONDSĺSLUG GISHLYĺTOĺTHEĺCONTROLLERĺANDĺEVENTUALLYĺINĺREVERSE 6ĺĺ ,IKEWISE ĺTHEĺüRSTĺTIMEĺ)ĺSAWĺ$ARKĺ#ITYĺ ĺ)ĺWASĺPHYSICALLYĺSICK ĺ)ĺSURMISEĺASĺAĺ

RESULTĺOFĺTHEĺCURIOUSLYĺORGANICĺANDĺSICKENINGĺSENSATIONĺOFĺTHEĺSIGHTĺOFĺAĺCITYĺVISIBLYĺ TRANSFORMEDĺWHILEĺITSĺDENIZENSĺAREĺUTTERLYĺUNAWAREĺOFĺTHEIRĺEXPLOITATIONĺpĺAĺDISQUIET INGLYĺREALISTICĺREPRESENTATIONĺOFĺCONTEMPORARYĺALIENATIONĺ4HISĺDEMONSTRATESĺNOTĺONLYĺ THEĺUSEFULNESSĺOFĺAFFECTIVEĺRESPONSEĺINĺENGAGINGĺWITHĺüLMĺANDĺMEDIAĺFORM ĺBUTĺALSO ĺ ITSĺ ELUSIVENESS ĺ BOTHĺ THANKSĺ TOĺ ITSĺ MATERIALISATIONĺ ANDĺ EXPERIENCEĺ THROUGHĺ EMBODI MENTĺRATHERĺTHANĺTHEĺLINGUISTIC 7ĺĺ )ĺAMĺNOT ĺOFĺCOURSE ĺSAYINGĺTHATĺTHEĺGAMEĺENDSĺWITHĺNOĺWINNERSĺpĺTHATĺITĺDOESĺHAVEĺĺ

WINNERSĺMARKSĺOUTĺ-AXĺ0AYNEĺASĺDECIDEDLYĺUN NOIRISHĺpĺBUTĺTHATĺTHEĺGAMEPLAYĺITSELFĺ ISĺCHARACTERISEDĺBYĺTHEĺSUPPRESSIONĺOFĺNARRATIVE 8ĺĺ 7HILEĺ THISĺ MEANSĺ THATĺ THEĺ PLAYER CHARACTERĺ MAYĺ USUALLYĺ ONLYĺ BEĺ CONTROLLEDĺ BYĺ ONEĺ

PLAYERĺATĺAĺTIME ĺ'AMESĺ3TUDIESĺHASĺRECENTLYĺBEGUNĺTOĺCONSIDERĺTHEĺIMPLICATIONSĺOFĺ PLAYINGĺCONTEXT ĺANDĺINĺPARTICULAR ĺTHEĺkNON PLAYER PLAYERlĺWHOĺMIGHTĺBEĺINĺTHEĺSAMEĺ ROOMĺASĺTHEĺPLAYERĺANDĺGIVINGĺINSTRUCTIONSĺ/FTEN ĺTHEREĺMAYĺBEĺAĺROOMĺFULLĺOFĺPEOPLEĺ

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ALLĺPLAYINGĺTHEĺGAME ĺBUT ĺAGAIN ĺWITHĺAĺSINGLEĺPLAYERĺINĺCONTROLĺ!LTHOUGHĺVERYĺLITTLEĺHASĺ BEENĺPUBLISHEDĺONĺTHISĺTOĺDATEĺTHEREĺHAVEĺBEENĺIMPORTANTĺINTERVENTIONSĺATĺVARIOUSĺ ACADEMICĺCONFERENCES ĺSUCHĺASĺ0LAYFULĺ3UBJECTSĺ5NIVERSITYĺOFĺTHEĺ7ESTĺOFĺ%NGLAND ĺ -AYĺ ĺANDĺ!ESTHETICSĺOFĺ0LAYĺ5NIVERSITYĺOFĺ"ERGEN ĺ/CTOBERĺ ĺITĺISĺAĺSIGNIü CANTĺPHENOMENONĺBECAUSEĺITĺINEVITABLYĺAFFECTSĺTHEĺFEELĺANDĺMOODĺOFĺTHEĺGAMEĺANDĺ HASĺIMPLICATIONSĺFORĺTHEĺABILITYĺOFĺTHEĺCRITICĺTOĺkREADlĺVIEWINGĺCONTEXTSĺEFFECTIVELY 9ĺĺ -ICHAELĺ!LLENĺNOTESĺTHATĺINĺAĺSENSEĺkDIGITALĺIMAGINGĺTECHNOLOGIESĺANDĺTECHNIQUESĺAREĺ

STRIVINGĺTOĺREPLICATEĺWHATĺALREADYĺEXISTSĺTHEĺPHOTOGRAPHICĺREPRESENTATIONĺOFĺREALITYlĺ ĺ ĺANDĺYET ĺINĺTHEĺCASEĺOFĺSEMINALĺ#')ĺüLMSĺSUCHĺASĺ*URASSICĺ0ARKĺ ĺ ANDĺ4ITANICĺ ĺPARTĺOFĺTHEĺMOTIVATIONĺBEHINDĺTHEĺLINGERINGĺESTABLISHINGĺSHOTSĺOFĺ #')ĺDINOSAURSĺORĺGHOSTĺSHIPSĺISĺTOĺSTUNĺTHEĺAUDIENCEĺTHROUGHĺSPECTACULARĺIMAGERYĺ)Tĺ MATTERSĺLITTLEĺWHETHERĺORĺNOTĺTHEĺAUDIENCEĺISĺkDUPEDlĺINTOĺTHINKINGĺTHATĺTHESEĺIMAGESĺ AREĺ REALISTICĺ pĺ ASĺ LONGĺ ASĺ THEYĺ AREĺ SPECTACULARĺ ENOUGHĺ THEYĺ WILLĺ SIGNIFYĺ PRODUCTIONĺ EXPENSE ĺIFĺNOTĺANĺORIGINALĺREFERENTĺOBJECTlSĺIMAGEĺRECORDEDĺONĺüLM ĺ

REFERENCES !LLEN ĺ-ICHAELĺ ĺk4HEĺIMPACTĺOFĺDIGITALĺTECHNOLOGIESĺONĺüLMĺAESTHETICSl ĺINĺ$ANĺ(AR RIESĺED ĺ4HEĺ.EWĺ-EDIAĺ"OOKĺ,ONDONĺ"RITISHĺ&ILMĺ)NSTITUTE ĺp "OULD ĺ-ARKĺ ĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺ&ROMĺ"ERLINĺTOĺ3INĺ#ITYĺ,ONDONĺ7ALLČOWERĺ0RESS "RITTON ĺ!NDREWĺ ĺk$ETOURl ĺINĺ)ANĺ#AMERONĺED ĺ4HEĺ-OVIEĺ"OOKĺOFĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺ,ON DONĺ3TUDIOĺ6ISTA ĺpĺ $ARLEY ĺ!NDREWĺ ĺ6ISUALĺ$IGITALĺ#ULTUREĺ3URFACEĺ0LAYĺANDĺ3PECTACLEĺINĺ.EWĺ-EDIAĺ 'ENRESĺ,ONDONĺ2OUTLEDGE &RASCA ĺ 'ONZALOĺ  ĺ k,UDOLOGISTSĺ LOVEĺ STORIES ĺ TOOĺ .OTESĺ FROMĺ Aĺ DEBATEĺ THATĺ NEVERĺ TOOKĺ PLACElĺ !VAILABLEĺ ATĺ HTTPLUDOLOGYORGARTICLES&RASCA?,EVEL5PPDFĺ !C CESSEDĺĺ/CTOBERĺ &ROME ĺ*ONATHANĺ ĺk2EPRESENTATION ĺREALITY ĺANDĺEMOTIONSĺACROSSĺMEDIAl ĺ&ILMĺ3TUD IES ĺ ĺpĺ 'RODAL ĺ4ORBENĺ ĺ-OVINGĺ0ICTURESĺ!ĺ.EWĺ4HEORYĺOFĺ&ILMĺ'ENRES ĺ&EELINGSĺANDĺ#OG NITIONĺ/XFORDĺ#LARENDON 'UNN ĺ3IMONĺ ĺ(ISTORYĺANDĺ#ULTURALĺ4HEORYĺ,ONDONĺ0EARSON (ILLS ĺ-ATTĺ ĺ4HEĺ0LEASURESĺOFĺ(ORRORĺ,ONDONĺ#ONTINUUM *AMESON ĺ&REDRICĺ ĺ3IGNATURESĺOFĺTHEĺ6ISIBLEĺ,ONDONĺ2OUTLEDGE +ING ĺ 'EOFFĺ ANDĺ4ANYAĺ +RZYWINSKAĺ  ĺ 3CREENPLAYĺ #INEMA6IDEOGAMES)NTERFACESĺ ,ONDONĺ7ALLČOWERĺ0RESS -ASSUMI ĺ "RIANĺ  ĺ 0ARABLESĺ OFĺ THEĺ6IRTUALĺ -OVEMENT ĺ !FFECT ĺ 3ENSATIONĺ ,ONDONĺ $UKEĺ5NIVERSITYĺ0RESS -ATEAS ĺ -ICHAELĺ  ĺ )NTERACTIVEĺ $RAMA ĺ !RTĺ ANDĺ !RTIüCIALĺ )NTELLIGENCEĺ 5NPUBLISHEDĺ 0H$ĺ THESIS ĺ #ARNEGIEĺ -ELLONĺ 5NIVERSITYĺ !VAILABLEĺ ATĺ HTTPREPORTS ARCHIVEADM CSCMUEDUANON#-5 #3  PDFĺ!CCESSEDĺĺ/CTOBERĺ

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8 The Shadow of Outlaws in Asian Noir: Hiroshima, Hong Kong and Seoul HYANGJIN LEE

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Bunta Sugawara, at gunpoint: Jingi naki tatakai/Battles without Honour and Humanity

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LENGINGĺHISĺPOWERĺ(IRONOĺREFUSES ĺBUTĺPROMISESĺHISĺLOYALTYĺISĺWITHĺ9AMAMORIĺ 4HEĺGANGĺWARĺNEVERĺENDSĺMONEY ĺNOTĺHONOURĺORĺHUMANITY ĺISĺITSĺULTIMATEĺOB JECTIVEĺ7HENĺ9AMAMORIĺDECEIVESĺ3AKAIĺANDĺKILLSĺHIMĺFROMĺBEHINDĺTHEĺSCENES ĺ (IRONOĺBECOMESĺFEDĺUPĺWITHĺ9AMAMORIlSĺTREACHERYĺANDĺDECLARESĺAĺONE MANĺWARĺ AGAINSTĺTHEĺGREEDYĺWORLD *INGIĺNAKIĺTATAKAIĺWASĺAĺHUGEĺBOX OFüCEĺSUCCESS ĺFOLLOWEDĺBYĺFOURĺSEQUELSĺ KNOWNĺ COLLECTIVELYĺ ASĺ THEĺ *INGIĺ SERIES ĺ WHICHĺ REVITALISEDĺ THEĺ POPULARITYĺ OFĺ YAKUZAĺEIGAĺINĺTHEĺSĺ2EJECTINGĺTHEĺCONVENTIONSĺOFĺTRADITIONALĺYAKUZAĺEIGAĺ THEĺ NINKYķĺ EIGAĺ ORĺ kCHIVALRYĺ üLMSl ĺ INĺ THEĺ MOSTĺ RADICALĺ WAYSĺ SEEĺ9AMANEĺ ĺ 9ONEHARAĺ ĺ&UKASAKUlSĺUNRESERVED ĺNATURALISTICĺREPRESENTATIONĺOFĺVIOLENCEĺ ANDĺCRUELTYĺTRANSFORMEDĺTHEĺGENREĺFROMĺAĺMORALĺMELODRAMAĺINTOĺANĺANARCHISTICĺ SOCIALĺSTATEMENTĺSEEĺ3TANDISHĺĺ ĺ ĺ3ETĺINĺTHEĺPREWARĺPERIOD ĺNINKYķĺ EIGAĺCELEBRATEDĺTHEĺOLDĺVALUES ĺSUCHĺASĺHONOUR ĺHUMANITY ĺPATIENCEĺANDĺSENSEĺ OFĺDUTY ĺANDĺGLAMOURISEDĺTHEĺTRADITIONALĺSYSTEMĺBASEDĺONĺHIERARCHICALĺHUMANĺ RELATIONSHIPSĺSEEĺ3ATķĺĺ9OMOTAĺ ĺ4HISĺPROMPTEDĺTHEĺ53ĺOCCUPATIONĺ AUTHORITIESĺ TOĺ BANĺ THEM ĺ ALONGĺ WITHĺ JIDAI GEKIĺ PERIODĺ üLMS ĺ BECAUSEĺ OFĺ THEIRĺ POTENTIALĺTOĺPROVOKEĺNOSTALGIAĺFORĺIMPERIALĺ*APANĺANDĺLOYALTYĺTOĺTHEĺOLDĺPOWERĺ ELITEĺSEEĺ3ATķĺĺp ĺ&UKASAKUlSĺYAKUZAĺNOIRĺREFUSESĺTOĺGLAMOURISEĺTHEĺ OUTLAW ĺDECLARINGĺTHEĺDEMISEĺOFĺTHEĺSAMURAIĺTRADITIONĺWHICHĺEMBODIEDĺNOSTAL GICĺSENTIMENTALISMĺANDĺTRADITIONALĺVALUESĺOFĺLOYALTYĺANDĺHONOURĺ&ORĺEXAMPLE ĺ WHENĺ(IRONOĺASSISTSĺ7AKASUGIlSĺSEPPUKU ĺTHESEĺIMPRISONEDĺYAKUZAĺTRANSFORMĺ THEĺ RITUALĺ SUICIDEĺ TRADITIONALLYĺ INTENDEDĺ TOĺ PROVEĺ THEĺ SINCERITYĺ OFĺ Aĺ SAMURAIĺ TOĺ HISĺ MASTERĺ INTOĺ ANĺ ACTĺ OFĺ DEüANCEĺ AGAINSTĺ THEĺ STATEĺ INSTITUTIONSĺ OFĺ DISCIPLINEĺ ANDĺ PUNISHMENTĺ )Nĺ Aĺ LATERĺ SCENE ĺ (IRONOĺ TRIESĺ TOĺ MAKEĺ Aĺ SINCEREĺ APOLOGYĺ TOĺ AĺMAJORĺüGUREĺINĺTHEĺYAKUZAĺWORLD ĺBUTĺMAKESĺAĺMESSĺOFĺCUTTINGĺOFFĺHISĺüNGERĺ 4HISĺSIGNIüESĺTHEĺEMPTYINGĺOFĺRITUALĺBYĺTHEĺDEMISEĺOFĺTRADITIONALĺVALUESĺpĺITSELFĺ SIGNALLEDĺBYĺOYABUNĺBOSS ĺ9AMAMORIlSĺDEPENDENCEĺONĺHISĺKOBUNĺGANGĺMEM BERS ĺBEGGINGĺANDĺCRYINGĺFORĺMERCYĺFROMĺTHEMĺWHENĺHEĺISĺINĺAĺDIFüCULTĺSITUA TION ĺANDĺHISĺMERCILESSĺREJECTIONĺOFĺTHEMĺWHENĺTHEYĺAREĺNOĺLONGERĺOFĺUSEĺTOĺHIMĺ &URTHERMORE ĺWHENĺ(IRONOĺSHOOTSĺUPĺ3AKAIlSĺFUNERALĺALTAR ĺWHICHĺISĺDECORATEDĺ WITHĺ ČOWERSĺ SENTĺ BYĺ THEĺ BOSSĺ ANDĺ LOCALĺ INDUSTRIALISTS ĺ THEĺ ANTIPATHYĺ TOWARDSĺ THEĺCAPITALISTĺDEVELOPMENTĺOFĺSOCIETY ĺANDĺREGRETĺATĺTHEĺFAILUREĺOFĺOLDĺVALUESĺANDĺ SYSTEMSĺTOĺREPELĺFOREIGNĺINTRUSION ĺBECOMESĺUNDENIABLEĺ4HEĺüLMlSĺPESSIMISMĺ ANDĺ NIHILISMĺ REPRESENTSĺ Aĺ CRITICALĺ DENUNCIATIONĺ OFĺ THEĺ VISIONĺ OFĺ Aĺ HIGH GROWTHĺ ECONOMYĺENDORSEDĺBYĺTHEĺ*APANESEĺGOVERNMENTĺ /NĺTHEĺOTHERĺHAND ĺSTRONGĺANTAGONISMĺTOWARDSĺFOREIGNĺINTRUDERSĺANDĺCAPITAL ISTĺSOCIALĺDEVELOPMENTĺREVEALSĺTHEĺXENOPHOBICĺANXIETIESĺOFĺTHEĺDEFEATEDĺNATIONĺ 4HEĺOPENINGĺSEQUENCEĺENDORSESĺTHEĺHEROICĺIMAGESĺOFĺYAKUZA ĺWHOSEĺVIOLENCEĺ ISĺDEPICTEDĺASĺAĺFORMĺOFĺRESISTANCEĺTOĺFOREIGNĺOCCUPATIONĺASĺTHEYĺCOMEĺTOĺTHEĺ RESCUEĺOFĺTHEĺWOMANĺBEINGĺRAPEDĺALTHOUGHĺCRIMEĺAGAINSTĺINNOCENTĺPEOPLEĺISĺ ALSOĺAĺMODEĺOFĺSURVIVALĺUNDERĺTHEĺ!MERICANĺOCCUPATIONĺFORCES ĺ7HILEĺTHEĺRAPEĺ SCENEĺDIRECTLYĺINDICTSĺTHEĺ53ĺMILITARYĺADMINISTRATIONĺLEDĺBYĺ'ENERALĺ-AC!RTHUR ĺ

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THEĺIDEALISATIONĺOFĺTHEĺMALEĺBONDĺpĺOVERĺTHEĺBODYĺOFĺAĺWOMANĺWHICHĺACTSĺASĺ AĺMETAPHORĺFORĺANĺEMASCULATEDĺNATIONĺpĺISĺAĺSTEREOTYPICALĺEXPRESSIONĺOFĺANTI 7ESTERNĺSENTIMENTĺINĺPOSTCOLONIALĺ!SIANĺCINEMAĺ(IRONOlSĺCOURAGEĺINĺPROTECT INGĺTHEĺLOCALĺWOMANĺFROMĺTHEĺOCCUPATIONĺFORCESĺLEADSĺTOĺHIMĺJOININGĺTHEĺWORLDĺ OFĺORGANISEDĺCRIMEĺANDĺBECOMINGĺSWORNĺBROTHERSĺWITHĺ7AKASUGIĺ )Nĺ&UKASAKUlSĺLATERĺüLM ĺ9AKUZAĺNOĺHAKABAĺ+UCHINASHIĺNOĺHANA9AKUZAĺ'RAVE YARDĺ ĺANTI !MERICANĺSENTIMENTĺISĺDISPLACEDĺONTOĺTHEĺ+OREANĺPOPULATION ĺ WHOĺWEREĺFORCEDĺTOĺMOVEĺTOĺ*APANĺTOĺPROVIDEĺCHEAPĺWARTIMEĺLABOURĺANDĺWHOĺ WEREĺNOTĺREPATRIATEDĺAFTERĺTHEĺWARĺ4HISĺOFFSETSĺTHEĺ*APANESEĺSENSEĺOFĺPSYCHO LOGICALĺINFERIORITY ĺEVENĺASĺITĺDEPICTSĺTHEĺ+OREANĺRESIDENTSĺASĺSCAPEGOATSĺ0RO TAGONISTĺ+UROIWAĺ4ETSUYAĺ7ATARI ĺAĺPOLICEĺDETECTIVEĺWITHOUTĺPRINCIPLES ĺDOESĺ NOTĺBELIEVEĺINĺTHEĺTRADITIONALĺQUALITIESĺOFĺMANHOODĺ(EĺSWEARSĺBROTHERHOODĺWITHĺ )WATAĺ3EIZOĺ&UKUMOTO ĺTHEĺ+OREANĺBOSSĺOFĺSMALLĺLOCALĺGANGĺ.ISHIDA ĺANDĺFALLSĺ INĺLOVEĺWITHĺ+EIKOĺ-EIKOĺ+AJI ĺTHEĺSISTERĺOFĺ.ISHIDAlSĺFORMERĺBOSS ĺWHOĺISĺALSOĺ +OREANĺ (ISĺ RELATIONSHIPĺ ISĺ SOONĺ DISCOVEREDĺ BYĺ Aĺ RIVALĺ GANGĺ AND ĺ AFTERĺ BEINGĺ TORTUREDĺBYĺTHEM ĺHEĺBETRAYSĺ)WATAĺ(EĺISĺDISCHARGEDĺFROMĺHISĺJOB ĺANDĺISĺEVEN TUALLYĺKILLEDĺONĺTHEĺSTREETĺ(ISĺRECKLESSĺATTITUDEĺTOWARDSĺAUTHORITYĺANDĺHISĺSYM PATHYĺTOWARDSĺ+OREANSĺSUGGESTSĺTHEĺCONTRADICTORYĺPSYCHOLOGYĺFELTĺBYĺ*APANESEĺ REGARDINGĺTHEĺCONSEQUENCESĺOFĺCOLONIALĺEXPANSIONĺANDĺDEFEAT &UKASAKUlSĺ NEWĺ TYPEĺ OFĺ REBELLIOUSĺ ANTI HEROĺ TRANSFORMEDĺ THEĺ TRADITIONALĺ YAKUZAĺGENREĺINTOĺSOCIALĺCRITIQUE ĺNEGOTIATINGĺTHEĺCONSOLIDATIONĺOFĺ7ESTERNĺCAPI TALISMĺ ANDĺ THEĺ DEMISEĺ OFĺ TRADITIONALĺ *APANESEĺ VALUESĺ!CCORDINGĺ TOĺ9OSHIKUNIĺ )GARASHIĺ ĺTHEĺGREATĺPOPULARITYĺOFĺYAKUZAĺEIGAĺINĺTHEĺSĺSHOULDĺBEĺSEENĺ INĺTHEĺCONTEXTĺOFĺTHEĺADVANCEĺOFĺCONSUMERĺSOCIETYĺINĺ*APANĺ(ITHERTO ĺTHEĺMA JORITYĺOFĺ*APANESEĺMAINTAINEDĺAĺRURALĺLIFESTYLEĺANDĺWEREĺUNFAMILIARĺWITHĺURBANĺ CULTURE ĺ ANDĺ SOĺ THEĺ XENOPHOBIAĺ EXPRESSEDĺ EITHERĺ INĺ ORĺ BYĺ THESEĺ üLMSĺ CANĺ BEĺ SEENĺTOĺCONVEYĺORDINARYĺCITIZENSlĺCONČICTINGĺIDEASĺREGARDINGĺTHEĺRADICALĺSOCIALĺ CHANGESĺANDĺPOLITICALĺUPHEAVALSĺOCCURRINGĺINĺTHOSEĺYEARSĺ 3INCEĺ THEĺ -EIJIĺ 2ESTORATIONĺ INĺ  ĺ THEĺ STATEĺ IDEOLOGYĺ OFĺ MODERNĺ *APANĺ WASĺk/UTĺOFĺ!SIA ĺ)NTOĺ%UROPElĺ!LTHOUGHĺITĺISĺNOTĺOFüCIALLYĺSTATEDĺBYĺTHEĺPRESENTĺ GOVERNMENT ĺITĺISĺSTILLĺPOWERFULĺENOUGHĺFORĺMANYĺ*APANESEĺTOĺDENYĺTHATĺTHEYĺAREĺ PARTĺOFĺ!SIAĺ4HEĺIMPERIALĺEXPANSIONĺOFĺ*APANĺANDĺITSĺANNEXATIONĺOFĺOTHERĺ!SIANĺ COUNTRIESĺDISLOCATEDĺMANYĺINHABITANTSĺOFĺTHEĺREGIONĺWHOĺWEREĺDRAFTEDĺINTOĺMILI TARY ĺLABOURĺORĺSEXUALĺSLAVERY ĺINCLUDINGĺSOMEWHEREĺBETWEENĺ ĺANDĺONEĺ MILLIONĺ+OREANSĺ-ANYĺOFĺTHEMĺWEREĺUNABLEĺORĺUNWILLINGĺTOĺBEĺREPATRIATED ĺBE INGĺFORBIDDENĺTOĺTAKEĺTHEIRĺPOSSESSIONSĺWITHĺTHEMĺANDĺHAVINGĺLOSTĺEVERYTHINGĺ INĺTHEIRĺHOMEĺCOUNTRY ĺWHICHĺITSELFĺBECAMEĺAĺ#OLDĺ7ARĺBATTLEGROUNDĺ4HEYĺHAVEĺ BECOMEĺTHEĺBIGGESTĺETHNICĺMINORITYĺINĺCONTEMPORARYĺ*APAN ĺ ĺOFĺWHOMĺ REFUSEĺNATURALISATIONĺANDĺRETAINĺ+OREANĺNATIONALITYĺ4HEĺPRESENCEĺOFĺETHNICĺMI NORITIESĺ pĺ ESPECIALLYĺ ONEĺ SOĺ SUBSTANTIALĺ pĺ UNDERMINESĺ THEĺ POPULARĺ NOTIONĺ OFĺ NIHONJINRON ĺTHEĺMYTHĺOFĺAĺHOMOGENEOUSĺNATIONĺ5NTILĺRECENTLY ĺ*APANĺINSISTEDĺ THATĺITĺHADĺNOĺETHNICĺMINORITIESĺSEEĺ(ICKSĺ ĺ

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0OPULARĺIMAGESĺOFĺYAKUZA ASSOCIATEDĺBUSINESSESĺBEINGĺOPERATEDĺBYĺ+ORE ANSĺNEEDĺTOĺBEĺUNDERSTOODĺINĺTHISĺHISTORICALĺCONTEXTĺOFĺCOLONIALISMĺANDĺSOCIALĺ OSTRACISMĺ+OREANSĺWHOĺREFUSEĺNATURALISATIONĺHAVEĺBEENĺDISCRIMINATEDĺAGAINSTĺ INĺEDUCATIONĺANDĺWORK ĺANDĺTHUSĺOFTENĺRUNĺBUSINESSESĺWHICHĺTENDĺTOĺBEĺREGARD EDĺASĺHARD ĺDIRTYĺANDĺNOTĺRESPECTABLEĺ*APANESEĺPRIDEĺINĺETHNICĺHOMOGENEITYĺ SERVESĺTOĺJUSTIFYĺTHEĺDISCRIMINATIONĺAGAINSTĺ!SIANSĺANDĺTHEIRĺINFERIORITYĺCOMPLEXĺ TOWARDSĺ7ESTERNĺ SOCIETYĺ ANDĺ CULTUREĺ4HEĺ YAKUZA ĺ Aĺ RITUALĺ üGUREĺ CREATEDĺ BYĺ *APANESEĺMASSĺCULTURE ĺFUNCTIONSĺASĺAĺSITEĺONĺWHICHĺTHESEĺCONTRADICTORYĺVIEWSĺ ONĺOCCIDENTALĺSELF IDENTITYĺANDĺXENOPHOBIAĺCANĺBEĺPLAYEDĺOUT ĺANDĺSIGNIüESĺTHEĺ SECRETIVEĺ DESIREĺ ANDĺ POLITICALĺ CONCERNSĺ OFĺ THEĺ MASSESĺ REGARDINGĺ THEĺ MASSIVEĺ SOCIALĺ CHANGESĺ OCCURRINGĺ INĺ *APANĺ SINCEĺ THEĺ Sĺ SEEĺ )GARASHIĺ  ĺ4HEĺ STATE LEDĺMODERNISATIONĺPROCESSĺEXPLOITEDĺTRADITIONALĺFAMILYĺVALUESĺASĺTHEĺSTATEĺ IDEOLOGY ĺBUTĺFORCEDĺTHEĺSACRIüCEĺOFĺINDIVIDUALĺFAMILYĺLIVESĺWHICHĺWEREĺSTILLĺUN DERPINNEDĺBYĺAĺTRADITIONALĺAGRICULTURALĺLIFESTYLEĺ(OWEVER ĺTHEĺSUDDENĺRISEĺOFĺCON SUMERĺSOCIETY ĺESPECIALLYĺWITHĺTHEĺNATIONWIDEĺDIFFUSIONĺOFĺTELEVISION ĺSHOCKEDĺ THISĺPREDOMINANTLYĺRURALĺMINDSET ĺESPECIALLYĺWHENĺTHEYĺWEREĺCONFRONTEDĺWITHĺ IMAGESĺOFĺURBANĺPOLITICALĺDEMONSTRATIONSĺ!LTHOUGHĺTHEĺAUDIENCEĺFORĺ&UKASAKUlSĺ GANGSTERĺNOIRSĺENJOYEDĺTHEĺMATERIALĺBENEüTSĺOFĺCAPITALISTĺDEVELOPMENTĺOUTSIDEĺ OFĺCINEMA ĺREPRESENTATIONSĺOFĺCRIMINALĺVIOLENCEĺSEEMEDĺTOĺMEETĺOTHERĺNEEDSĺ ARISINGĺFROMĺTHEĺSTRESSESĺANDĺFRUSTRATIONSĺOFĺSOCIALĺCHANGEĺ!LTHOUGHĺTHEĺYAKUZAĺ HAVEĺTHEIRĺORIGINSĺINĺ*APANESEĺCULTURALĺTRADITIONS ĺTHEYĺAREĺAĺSOCIALĺFORCEĺCREATEDĺ BYĺFOREIGNĺINTRUSIONSĺINTOĺ*APANESEĺSOCIETY ĺPARTICULARLYĺBUTĺNOTĺEXCLUSIVELYĺTHEĺ 53ĺOCCUPATIONĺ4HEREFORE ĺTHEĺANTAGONISMĺEXPRESSEDĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺYAKUZAĺSTO RIESĺISĺNOTĺONLYĺAGAINSTĺCAPITALISTĺDEVELOPMENTĺANDĺTHEĺLOSSĺOFĺTRADITIONĺBUTĺALSOĺ AGAINSTĺTHEĺETHNICĺMINORITIESĺWHOĺREMINDĺ*APANĺOFĺITSĺPASTĺAGGRESSIONĺANDĺLACKĺ OFĺHOMOGENEITYĺ !SĺWITHĺMANYĺOFĺ&UKASAKUlSĺOTHERĺüLMS ĺ*INGIĺNAKIĺTATAKAIĺISĺALSOĺANĺANTI WARĺ STATEMENTĺ SEEĺ9AMANEĺ ĺ9ONEHARAĺ  ĺ4HEĺ OPENINGĺ IMAGEĺ OFĺ THEĺ ATOMICĺ MUSHROOMĺCLOUDĺISĺICONICĺOFĺ*APANESEĺANTI WARĺüLMS ĺBUTĺITĺALSOĺREPRESENTSĺANĺ EXPLOSIONĺOFĺANXIETIESĺOVERĺTHEĺBIRTHĺOFĺNEWĺPOWERĺINĺREVOLTĺAGAINSTĺTHEĺOLDĺSYS TEMSĺANDĺVALUESĺOFĺ*APANĺ&UKASAKUlSĺDOCUMENTARYĺSTYLEĺOFĺSHOOTINGĺANDĺEDIT INGĺpĺREPRESENTATIVEĺOFĺTHEĺSO CALLEDĺJITSUROKUĺEIGAĺTRUEĺDOCUMENTĺüLM ĺBASEDĺ ONĺREAL LIFEĺSTORIES ĺpĺSKILFULLYĺRECREATESĺAĺ*APANĺDEVASTATEDĺBYĺWAR ĺHIGHLIGHTINGĺ THEĺ SAVAGERYĺ ANDĺ CRUELTYĺ WHICHĺ LEDĺ TOĺ Aĺ NEWĺ KINDĺ OFĺ VIOLENCEĺ4HEĺ INSERTEDĺ NEWSPAPERĺ STILLS ĺ NATURALĺ LIGHTING ĺ HAND HELDĺ CAMERA ĺ OMNISCIENTĺ VOICE OVERĺ NARRATIONĺANDĺOTHERĺTECHNIQUESĺGIVEĺAĺSENSEĺOFĺIMMEDIACYĺANDĺAUTHENTICITYĺTOĺ HISĺDEPICTIONĺOFĺCHAOTICĺPOSTWARĺ*APANĺ4HEĺENSUINGĺSTORIESĺOFĺGANGĺWARSĺOVERĺ MONEYĺINĺTHEĺ*INGIĺSERIESĺAREĺkANĺALTERNATIVEĺHISTORYĺOFĺPOSTWARĺ*APAN ĺANDĺTHEĺ STREET LEVELĺTRUTHĺTHATĺISĺCOVEREDĺUPĺBYĺTHEĺBOASTFULĺRECORDSĺOFĺRECONSTRUCTIONĺ ANDĺECONOMICĺGROWTHlĺ-ESĺĺ3HARPĺĺ ĺ 4HEĺ POPULARITYĺ OFĺ GANGSTERĺ üLMS ĺ INCLUDINGĺ &UKASAKUlS ĺ SLUMPEDĺ WITHĺ THEĺ DEMISEĺOFĺTHEĺSTUDIOĺSYSTEMĺINĺTHEĺLATEĺS ĺANDĺALTHOUGHĺMOREĺTHANĺAĺDOZ

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Hero in Ying hung boon sik 4HEĺNIHILISMĺANDĺLONELINESSĺEXPRESSEDĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺEMOTIONLESSĺREPRESENTATIONĺ OFĺVIOLENCEĺANDĺMORALĺDETACHMENTĺINĺ3ONATINEĺCONTRASTSĺSHARPLYĺWITHĺTHEĺ(ONGĺ +ONGĺGANGSTERĺEPICSĺWHICHĺČOURISHEDĺBETWEENĺTHEĺLATEĺSĺANDĺMID S ĺ MOSTĺNOTABLYĺTHEĺkHEROICĺBLOODSHEDlĺüLMSĺOFĺDIRECTORĺ*OHNĺ7OOĺANDĺPRODUCERĺ 4SUIĺ(ARKĺ7HILEĺTHEĺHISTORICALĺVICTIMSĺOFĺ*APANESEĺEXPANSION ĺINVASIONĺANDĺCO LONIALĺRULEĺMIGHTĺBEĺSCEPTICALĺOFĺTHEĺ*APANESEĺOUTCRYĺABOUTĺCALAMITIESĺITĺBROUGHTĺ UPONĺ ITSELFĺ ASĺ EXPRESSEDĺ INĺ &UKASAKUlSĺ GANGSTERĺ NOIRS ĺ *APANESEĺ CINEMATICĺ TRADITIONSĺ INČUENCEDĺ OTHERĺ NATIONALĺ CINEMASĺ INĺ THEĺ REGIONĺ THROUGHĺ THEĺ CREA TIVEĺüLTERINGĺOFĺLOCALĺüLMMAKERSĺSEEĺ#HOĺĺ9OMOTAĺĺ,IEĺ ĺ7OOĺ HIMSELFĺISĺAĺGREATĺADMIRERĺOFĺ+UROSAWAĺANDĺYAKUZAĺEIGA ĺANDĺHISĺGANGSTERĺüLMSĺ AREĺASĺMUCHĺINČUENCEDĺBYĺNEIGHBOURINGĺ!SIANĺTRADITIONSĺASĺBYĺ)TALIANĺWESTERNS ĺ SWORDPLAYĺANDĺüLMĺNOIRĺSEEĺ"ORDWELLĺĺ ĺ)NĺPARTICULAR ĺHEĺMODELLEDĺHISĺ HEROESĺONĺTHEĺPERSONAĺOFĺ*APANESEĺACTORĺ4AKAKURAĺ+EN ĺTHEĺICONĺOFĺNINKYķĺEIGAĺ INĺ THEĺ LATEĺ Sĺ!LTHOUGHĺ &UKASAKUlSĺ ANARCHICĺ STYLEĺANDĺTHEMATICĺCONCERNSĺ DOĺNOTĺSEEMĺTOĺCONSTITUTEĺAĺDIRECTĺINČUENCEĺONĺ7OO ĺAĺSIMILARĺPOLITICISATIONĺOFĺ INTERPERSONALĺRELATIONSHIPSĺISĺEVIDENTĺINĺHISĺüLMSĺ -ARKĺ#HOWĺ9UN &AT ĺANDĺ(Oĺ4Iĺ,UNG ĺAREĺGOODĺFRIENDS ĺWORKINGĺFORĺAĺSYN DICATEĺ WHOĺ RUNĺ Aĺ COUNTERFEITINGĺ OPERATIONĺ!LTHOUGHĺ THEĺ COUNTERFEITĺ DEALSĺ AF FORDĺHIMĺAĺLUXURIOUSĺLIFE ĺ(OĺDECIDESĺTOĺLEAVEĺTHEĺSYNDICATEĺFORĺTHEĺSAKEĺOFĺHISĺ YOUNGERĺBROTHER ĺ+ITĺ,ESLIEĺ#HEUNG ĺWHOĺISĺAĺPOLICEĺCADETĺANDĺHASĺNOĺIDEAĺOFĺ (OlSĺ UNDERWORLDĺ CONNECTIONSĺ (OWEVER ĺ BEFOREĺ (Oĺ CANĺ LEAVE ĺ HEĺ ISĺ BETRAYEDĺ ANDĺSENTĺTOĺPRISONĺINĺ4AIWANĺ4HEĺFURIOUSĺ-ARKĺAVENGESĺ(O ĺBUTĺISĺCRIPPLEDĺBYĺ THEĺRIVALĺGANGĺ!FTERĺTHREEĺYEARSĺOFĺIMPRISONMENT ĺ(OĺREALISESĺHISĺFATHERĺWASĺ KILLEDĺ BYĺ Aĺ RIVALĺ MOBSTER ĺ WHILEĺ +ITĺ BLAMESĺ (Oĺ FORĺ THEIRĺ FATHERlSĺ DEATHĺ -EAN WHILE ĺ-ARKĺISĺINĺAĺLIVINGĺHELL ĺWORKINGĺFORĺ3HINGĺ#HI (UNGĺ,EE ĺTHEĺNEWĺBOSSĺ OFĺTHEĺSYNDICATE ĺWHOĺTREATSĺHIMĺLIKEĺAĺBEASTĺANDĺBLACKMAILSĺ+ITĺTOĺTHREATENĺ(Oĺ (OĺISĺTORNĺBETWEENĺHISĺCONČICTINGĺLOYALTIESĺTOWARDSĺ-ARKĺANDĺ+ITĺ-ARKĺWANTSĺ TOĺTAKEĺREVENGEĺONĺ3HINGĺANDĺTAKEĺBACKĺTHEIRĺPOSITIONĺINĺTHEĺSYNDICATEĺBUTĺ+ITĺ WILLĺNEVERĺFORGIVEĺ(OĺIFĺHEĺGOESĺBACKĺTOĺTHEĺSYNDICATEĺ 9INGĺHUNGĺBOONĺSIKĺWASĺAĺMASSIVEĺBOX OFüCEĺSUCCESS ĺESTABLISHINGĺAĺCYCLEĺ OFĺkHEROESlĺüLMSĺWHICHĺREVIVEDĺ(ONGĺ+ONGĺPOPULARĺüLMĺCULTUREĺDURINGĺTHEĺSĺ ANDĺ Sĺ4HEĺ (ONGĺ +ONGĺ üLMĺ INDUSTRYĺ WASĺ THENĺ LEDĺ BYĺ THEĺ kNEWĺ WAVEl ĺ Aĺ GENERATIONĺOFĺDIRECTORSĺTRAINEDĺINĺTHEĺ7ESTĺANDĺINĺTELEVISIONĺ4HEYĺDIDĺNOTĺHAVEĺ STRONGĺ EMOTIONALĺ ORĺ CULTURALĺ TIESĺ TOĺ MAINLANDĺ TRADITIONS ĺ ANDĺ WEREĺ MOREĺ INTER ESTEDĺINĺSWORD AND SORCERYĺFANTASYĺANDĺGANGSTERĺüLMSĺTHANĺMARTIALĺARTĺüLMSĺORĺ MELODRAMAĺ4HEYĺ RECEIVEDĺ CRITICALĺ RECOGNITIONĺ ATĺ FESTIVALSĺ ANDĺ EXHIBITIONS ĺ BUTĺ THEĺüLMĺINDUSTRYĺSLUMPEDĺ7OO ĺWHOĺWASĺNOTĺPARTĺOFĺTHEĺNEWĺWAVE ĺWASĺMOREĺ INCLINEDĺTOWARDSĺCOMMERCIALĺüLMMAKINGĺANDĺHISĺHEROICĺBLOODSHEDĺüLMSĺBOOST EDĺTHEĺINTERNATIONALĺREPUTATIONĺOFĺ(ONGĺ+ONGĺCINEMAĺASĺENTERTAINMENTĺSEEĺ#HOĺ ĺpĺ"ORDWELLĺĺ 

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Chow Yun-Fat, beaten but unbowed: Ying hung boon sik/A Better Tomorrow

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Minshik Choi, ordinary citizen: Oldboy

CORRIDORĺCROWDEDĺWITHĺGANGSTERSĺ4HEĺSIMULTANEOUSĺPURSUITĺOFĺCOMMERCIALĺSUC CESS ĺAESTHETICĺEXPERIMENTĺANDĺSOCIALĺSTATEMENT ĺASĺACHIEVEDĺBYĺ/LDBOY ĺISĺTHEĺ MAINĺGEARĺOFĺTHEĺREVIVALĺOFĺ+OREANĺNATIONALĺCINEMAĺAFTERĺDECADESĺOFĺSUFFERINGĺ FROMĺ(OLLYWOODĺDOMINATIONĺSEEĺ,EEĺĺp  /LDBOYĺ ISĺ REPLETEĺ WITHĺ üLMĺ NOIRĺ CONVENTIONSĺ ČASHBACKSĺ ANDĺ üRST PERSONĺ NARRATION ĺAĺTWISTEDĺPLOTĺANDĺSHOCKINGĺREVERSAL ĺINSERTEDĺDOCUMENTARYĺSTILLSĺANDĺ NEWSREELSĺANDĺAĺCOMPLEXLY CHARACTERISEDĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺ)TSĺMORALĺAMBIVALENCEĺ INĺDEALINGĺWITHĺITSĺTABOOĺSUBJECTĺMATTERĺYIELDSĺFATALISMĺANDĺPESSIMISM ĺRENDERINGĺ THEĺ PRESENTĺ ANĺ UNAVOIDABLEĺ CONSEQUENCEĺ OFĺ THEĺ PASTĺ!LSO ĺ ASĺ ANĺ EXAMPLEĺ OFĺ !SIANĺTRANSNATIONALĺCINEMA ĺITSĺREPRESENTATIONĺOFĺVIOLENCE ĺSEXĺANDĺCRIMEĺDISCLOS ESĺCERTAINĺINČUENCESĺFROMĺ*APANESEĺGANGSTERĺNOIRĺANDĺPOPULARĺARTĺTRADITIONSĺ&ORĺ EXAMPLE ĺTHEĺVISUALISATIONĺOFĺNATURElSĺOVERWHELMINGĺPOWERĺOVERĺHUMANĺBEINGSĺ ISĺALIENĺTOĺTHEĺTRADITIONALĺAESTHETICSĺOFĺ3OUTHĺ+OREANĺCINEMATOGRAPHY ĺWHICHĺTYPI CALLYĺPURSUESĺHARMONYĺBETWEENĺNATUREĺANDĺHUMANITY ĺWHILEĺTHEĺüGHTINGĺSCENESĺ INĺ THEĺ PRISONĺ CORRIDORĺ AREĺ UNIQUEĺ INĺ FUSINGĺ 3OUTHĺ +OREANĺ GANGSTERĺ üLMĺ ACTIONĺ STYLEĺWITHINĺTHEĺFRAMEĺSTRUCTUREĺOFĺ*APANESEĺMANGAĺTHEĺüLMĺISĺLOOSELYĺBASEDĺONĺ AĺMANGAĺOFĺTHEĺSAMEĺNAME ĺ/NĺTHEĺOTHERĺHAND ĺTHEĺTHEMATICĺCONCERNSĺOFĺ/LD BOYĺpĺASĺWITHĺ"OKSUNEUNĺNAUIĺGEOTĺANDĺ0ARKlSĺLATERĺ#HINJEOLHANĺGEUMJASSIĺpĺAREĺ SPECIüCĺTOĺ3OUTHĺ+OREA ĺPARTICULARLYĺTHEĺSOCIALĺABSURDITYĺOFĺTHEĺPOST #ONFUCIANĺ SOCIETYĺANDĺECONOMICĺINEQUITYĺOFĺTHEĺCAPITALISTĺCLASSĺSYSTEMĺSEEĺ,EEĺ ĺ 5NDERĺTHEĺ0ARKĺ#HUNGĺ(EEĺMILITARYĺDICTATORSHIPĺp ĺ3OUTHĺ+OREAĺSAC RIüCEDĺ DEMOCRATICĺ IDEALSĺ SOĺ ASĺ TOĺ ACHIEVEĺ RAPIDĺ ECONOMICĺ GROWTHĺ SEEĺ #HOIĺ  ĺ)NĺTHEĺLATEĺS ĺANĺALLIANCEĺBETWEENĺFACTORYĺWORKERS ĺSTUDENTĺACTIVISTSĺ ANDĺRADICALĺINTELLECTUALSĺSUPPORTEDĺBYĺPROGRESSIVEĺRELIGIOUSĺSECTORS ĺPUTĺANĺENDĺ TOĺTHEĺMILITARYĺDICTATORSHIPĺ4HEĺSO CALLEDĺĺGENERATIONĺpĺTHOSEĺWHOĺWEREĺINĺ THEIRĺTHIRTIESĺWHENĺDEMOCRATISATIONĺWASĺACHIEVED ĺWENTĺTOĺUNIVERSITYĺDURINGĺTHEĺ SĺANDĺWEREĺBORNĺINĺTHEĺSĺSEEĺ2OBINSONĺĺ ĺpĺSYMBOLISEDĺTHEĺ NEWĺFORCESĺLEADINGĺTHISĺPOPULARĺMOVEMENTĺ!LONGĺWITHĺ3ANGSUĺ)M ĺ0ARKĺISĺAĺ REPRESENTATIVEĺOFĺTHEĺĺGENERATIONĺOFĺDIRECTORS ĺCONCERNEDĺWITHĺTHEĺCULTURALĺ

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ANDĺPOLITICALĺCRITICISMĺOFĺTHEĺDEVELOPMENTALĺDICTATORSHIPĺANDĺITSĺAFTERMATHĺ&ORĺ EXAMPLE ĺ"OKSUNEUNĺNAUIĺGEOTĺDEALSĺWITHĺTHEĺSTORIESĺOFĺKIDNAPPINGĺANDĺMURDERĺ DURINGĺTHEĺLATEĺSĺ)-&ĺCRISISĺWHICHĺRESULTEDĺFROMĺRAPID ĺSTATE LEDĺECONOMICĺ GROWTHĺWITHOUTĺANYĺSAFEGUARDSĺFROMĺCIVILĺSOCIETY ĺANDĺWHICHĺLEDĺTOĺHUGEĺSOCIALĺ PROBLEMS ĺINCLUDINGĺNATIONWIDEĺUNEMPLOYMENT ĺTHEĺCONSEQUENTĺDISLOCATIONĺOFĺ FAMILIESĺANDĺAĺRISEĺINĺTHEĺSUICIDEĺRATE #RIMINALITYĺ ISĺ Aĺ MEDIUMĺ FORĺ 0ARKlSĺ QUESTIONINGĺ OFĺ THEĺ SYSTEMICĺ FAILUREĺ OFĺ CLASSĺ SOCIETY ĺ ASĺ INĺ THEĺ CONFRONTATIONĺ BETWEENĺ OFüCEĺ WORKERĺ $AESUĺ ANDĺ THEĺ CAPITALISTĺ 7OOJINĺ INĺ THEĺ LATTERlSĺ SPECTACULARĺ PENTHOUSEĺ 7OOJINlSĺ RELATIONSHIPĺ WITHĺTHEĺORGANISEDĺTHUGSĺRESPONSIBLEĺFORĺTRANSFORMINGĺ$AESUĺINTOĺAĺBEASTĺSYM BOLISESĺTHEĺPRIVATISATIONĺOFĺPOWERĺANDĺVIOLENCEĺINĺTHEĺCLASSĺSOCIETYĺ4HEĺBRUTALITYĺ ANDĺSAVAGERYĺOFĺTHEĺMADĺ$AESU ĺANĺORDINARYĺCITIZENĺWHOMĺTHEĺSTATEĺHASĺFAILEDĺ TOĺPROTECTĺFROMĺTHEĺABUSEĺOFĺTHEĺSTRONG ĺISĺAĺHYPERBOLICĺREACTIONĺTOĺPRIVATISEDĺ VIOLENCEĺ4HEĺORGANISEDĺTHUGĺISĺTHEĺHIDDENĺFACEĺOFĺCAPITALISM ĺANDĺSTATEĺPOWERĺ DOESĺNOTĺHAVEĺTHEĺAUTHORITYĺTOĺPUNISHĺTHEĺCAPITALISTĺCLASSĺTHEĺPOLICEĺONLYĺAPPEARĺ INĺTHEĺOPENINGĺSCENEĺTOĺHOLDĺTHEĺDRUNKENĺ$AESUĺONĺAĺCHARGEĺOFĺSTREETĺüGHTING ĺ 4HEĺIMAGEĺOFĺMONEYĺASĺTHEĺMEANSĺOFĺPRIVATEĺREVENGEĺISĺAĺCENTRALĺCRITICISMĺOFĺ POST #ONFUCIANĺSOCIETY ĺWHICHĺISĺALSOĺTAKENĺUPĺINĺTHEĺHELPLESSĺIMAGES ĺINĺ"OK SUNEUNĺNAUIĺGEOTĺANDĺ#HINJEOLHANĺGEUMJASSI ĺOFĺAĺDETECTIVEĺBRIBEDĺTOĺHELPĺANĺ INDUSTRIALISTlSĺ PRIVATEĺ REVENGEĺ ANDĺ OFĺ ANOTHERĺ WHOĺ WRONGLYĺ CHARGESĺ THEĺ HERO INEĺWITHĺKIDNAPPINGĺANDĺMURDERINGĺAĺBOYĺ/LDBOYlSĺMORALĺAMBIVALENCEĺTOWARDSĺ INCESTĺ RADICALLYĺ CRITIQUESĺ #ONFUCIANĺ PATRIARCHALĺ SOCIETY ĺ WHILEĺ CONNECTINGĺ THISĺ CRITIQUEĺBACKĺTOĺANTAGONISTICĺCAPITALISTĺECONOMICĺCLASSESĺ4HEĺMORALĺDILEMMASĺ FACEDĺBYĺ7OOJINĺANDĺ$AESUĺOVERĺTHEIRĺINCESTUOUSĺRELATIONSHIPSĺAREĺRESOLVEDĺINĺ COMPLETELYĺOPPOSITEĺWAYSĺ7OOJIN ĺTHEĺRICHĺBOY ĺABETTEDĺHISĺSISTERlSĺSUICIDEĺANDĺ ESCAPEDĺTOĺ!MERICA ĺSETTINGĺUPĺ$AESUĺASĺAĺSCAPEGOATĺTOĺRELIEVEĺHISĺSENSEĺOFĺ GUILTĺ (OWEVER ĺ INĺ SHARINGĺ THEĺ MALE CENTREDĺ VIEWĺ OFĺ OTHERĺ!SIANĺ NOIR ĺ /LDBOYĺ UNDERMINESĺITSĺCRITIQUEĺOFĺPATRIARCHYĺINĺITSĺDEPICTIONĺOFĺ-IDOĺ+ANGĺ(YEJEONG ĺ $AESUlSĺ DAUGHTERLOVERĺ 5NAWAREĺ OFĺ THEĺ COMPLEXĺ PSYCHOLOGICALĺ GAMESĺ BEINGĺ PLAYEDĺBYĺ7OOJINĺANDĺ$AESU ĺSHEĺISĺULTIMATELYĺNOTHINGĺMOREĺTHANĺAĺPOORĺLITTLEĺ PRETTYĺGIRLĺCRUELLYĺEXPLOITEDĺBYĺMALEĺSEXUALĺLUSTĺ!SĺWITHĺTHEĺSURROGATEĺFATHER SONĺ RELATIONSHIPĺ ANDĺ SWORNĺ BROTHERHOODĺ INĺ *INGIĺ NAKIĺ TATAKAI ĺ ANDĺ THEĺ FATHER SONĺRELATIONSHIPĺANDĺBROTHERHOODĺINĺ9INGĺHUNGĺBOONĺSIK ĺTHEĺPATRIARCHALĺMORAL ITYĺ ANDĺ MALE CENTREDĺ FAMILIALĺ NORMĺ INĺ /LDBOYĺ ATTESTSĺ THEĺ IRONYĺ INĺ USINGĺ!SIANĺ GANGSTERĺ NOIRĺ ASĺ Aĺ CRITIQUEĺ OFĺ POST #ONFUCIANĺ SOCIETYĺ THEĺ MALE CENTREDĺ VIEWĺ DECONSTRUCTSĺTHEĺPROBLEMATICSĺOFĺAĺPATRIARCHALĺSOCIETYĺ

The social exile: postcolonial history and the Confucian nation 4HEĺSOCIALĺCRITICISMĺMANIFESTEDĺBYĺTHEĺGANGSTERĺNOIRĺFROMĺTHESEĺTHREEĺNATIONALĺ CINEMASĺDISCLOSESĺOPPOSITIONĺTOWARDSĺ7ESTERNĺDOMINATIONĺANDĺTHEĺINFERIORITYĺ COMPLEXĺOFĺAĺWEAKĺNATIONĺ)Nĺ*APANESEĺYAKUZAĺEIGA ĺTHEĺSTATEĺAUTHORITYĺDISAP

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PEARED ĺREPLACEDĺBYĺTHEĺPOWERFULĺIMAGEĺOFĺ!MERICAĺ)Nĺ(ONGĺ+ONGĺHEROICĺBLOOD SHED ĺTHEĺCOLONIALĺ"RITISHĺGOVERNMENTĺHASĺNOĺAUTHORITYĺOVERĺTHEĺCOLONISEDĺSOCI ETYĺTHEĺHEROĺBELONGSĺTOĺTHEĺCRIMINALĺUNDERWORLDĺANDĺHISĺMIRRORĺIMAGEĺISĺONĺTHEĺ SIDEĺOFĺTHEĺCOLONIALĺPOWERĺ)NĺTHEIRĺ3OUTHĺ+OREANĺCOUNTERPARTS ĺTHEĺCORRUPTĺCRIMI NALĺWORLDĺITSELFĺISĺAĺMETAPHORICĺEXPRESSIONĺOFĺDESPOTICĺSTATEĺPOWERĺSERVINGĺTHEĺ CAPITALISTĺCLASSĺ3UCHĺPOSTCOLONIALĺHISTORICITYĺISĺCENTRALĺTOĺ!SIANĺGANGSTERĺNOIRlSĺ CRITIQUEĺOFĺTHEĺINEQUALITIESĺOFĺCAPITALISTĺSOCIETY ĺCONVEYINGĺTHEĺVICTIMĺPSYCHOLOGYĺ OFĺAĺPEOPLEĺANXIOUSĺABOUTĺ7ESTERNĺDOMINATIONĺ4HEĺHELPLESSĺSTRUGGLESĺOFĺTHEĺ UNDERDOGĺAGAINSTĺTHEĺMERCILESSĺANDĺCORRUPTEDĺSUPERIORĺPORTRAYEDĺINĺ!SIANĺNOIRĺ COMMONLYĺIMPLYĺPOPULARĺDISCONTENTĺWITHĺECONOMICĺDEVELOPMENTĺINĺAĺPOSTCO LONIALĺSOCIETY ĺWITHĺDEPICTIONSĺOFĺSOCIALĺUNRESTĺANDĺECONOMICĺINEQUITYĺEXPRESS INGĺ POPULARĺ ANGUISHĺ ATĺ SYSTEMSĺ FAILUREĺ ANDĺ THEĺ DEMISEĺ OFĺ TRADITIONALĺ VALUESĺ )NĺTHISĺSENSE ĺ!SIANĺGANGSTERĺNOIRĺCLEARLYĺREČECTSĺTHEĺNATIONALISTICĺSENTIMENTSĺ FELTĺBYĺTHEĺLOCALSĺINĺTHEĺ ERAĺOFĺCAPITALlSĺGLOBALĺCONSOLIDATION ĺWITHĺTHEĺHYBRIDI SATIONĺOFĺINDIGENOUSĺANDĺ(OLLYWOODĺTRADITIONSĺPRECISELYĺMAPPINGĺ!SIANĺNOIRlSĺ COREĺFEATURESĺAĺPOSTCOLONIALĺSENSIBILITY ĺANXIETYĺABOUTĺTHEĺDEMISEĺOFĺTRADITIONALĺ SOCIALĺVALUES ĺFEARĺOFĺ7ESTERNĺDOMINATIONĺ(IROSHIMAĺUNDERĺTHEĺCONTROLĺOFĺ'(1ĺ 'ENERALĺ(EADQUARTERS ĺINĺ*INGIĺNAKIĺTATAKAIĺANDĺTHEĺTROPICALĺISLANDĺOFĺ/KINAWAĺ INĺ3ONATINEĺCONVEYĺTHEĺCOMPLEXĺVICTIMĺPSYCHOLOGYĺINĺTHEĺCOMBINATIONĺOFĺTHEĺ ANTI WARĺANDĺPOSTCOLONIALĺSENTIMENTĺ*APANlSĺPOSTCOLONIALĺREALITY ĺASĺDEPICTEDĺ INĺTHESEĺüLMS ĺISĺECHOEDĺINĺ(ONGĺ+ONGĺGANGSTERĺNOIRlSĺIMAGESĺOFĺTHISĺEX "RITISHĺ TERRITORY ĺWITHĺDRUGS ĺRAPE ĺPROSTITUTIONĺANDĺCOUNTERFEITĺDOLLARSĺASĺMETAPHORSĺOFĺ THEĺEVILĺOFĺ7ESTERNĺCAPITALISM ĺINDICATINGĺTHEĺTERRITORIALĺINTRUSIONĺOFĺTHEĺOUTSID ERSĺ#ONVERSELY ĺTHEĺDEMISEĺOFĺTRADITIONALISTĺVALUESĺGIVESĺMORALĺGROUNDSĺFORĺTHEĺ VIOLENCEĺOFĺTHEĺUNDERDOGĺ(ISĺSAVAGENESSĺANDĺEMPTINESSĺEXPRESSESĺNOSTALGIAĺ FORĺTRADITIONALĺGROUP ORIENTEDĺMORALITYĺANDĺAĺSENSEĺOFĺBEINGĺLOSTĺINĺPRESENT DAYĺ SOCIETYĺ!SIANĺNOIRĺCAN ĺTHEN ĺBEĺSEENĺTOĺREVOLVEĺAROUNDĺAĺQUESTIONINGĺOFĺTHEĺVA LIDITYĺOFĺ#ONFUCIANĺTRADITIONSĺINĺPRESENTĺSOCIETYĺ7HILEĺTHEĺüLMSlĺMORALĺAMBIGU ITYĺREFUSESĺCLEARĺDIVISIONSĺBETWEENĺGOODĺANDĺBAD ĺTHEIRĺTRAGICĺSTORIESĺOFĺRUTHLESSĺ DISSENTĺSTRESSĺTHEĺUNAVOIDABLEĺWEIGHTĺOFĺTHEĺHUMANĺRELATIONSĺTHEIRĺCHARACTERSĺ ACCUMULATEĺ)Nĺ#ONFUCIANĺMORALITY ĺTHEĺDENIALĺOFĺFAMILYĺRELATIONSHIPSĺISĺCRIMINAL ĺ ANDĺWHENĺCOMBINEDĺWITHĺTHEĺ"UDDHISTĺNOTIONĺOFĺKARMAĺIE ĺTHEĺRETRIBUTIONĺFORĺ THEĺDEEDSĺOFĺAĺFORMERĺLIFE ĺTHEĺDISSOLUTIONĺOFĺSUCHĺBONDSĺLEADSĺEVERYBODYĺINTOĺ ANĺINFERNOĺ4HISĺCANĺBEĺCONSIDEREDĺTHEĺROOTĺOFĺ!SIANĺNOIRlSĺPESSIMISM 0OSTCOLONIALĺSENSIBILITIESĺANDĺSATURATIONĺBYĺ7ESTERNĺMATERIALĺCULTUREĺAREĺOF TENĺDEPICTEDĺASĺTHEĺTRIUMPHĺOFĺkFOREIGNNESSlĺOVERĺTRADITIONALĺVALUESĺANDĺMORAL ITYĺ6ARIOUSĺ PROPSĺ ANDĺ ACTIONSĺ AREĺ USEDĺ TOĺ SIGNIFYĺ THEĺ CONFRONTATIONĺ BETWEENĺ TWOĺWORLDSĺ&ORĺEXAMPLE ĺTHEĺCUTTINGĺOFĺAĺüNGERĺORĺSEPPUKUĺBELLYĺCUTTING ĺINĺ *APANESEĺYAKUZAĺüLMSĺSYMBOLISESĺRESPECTĺFORĺTRADITIONALĺVALUESĺANDĺHUMANĺRE LATIONSHIPS ĺEVENĺIFĺINDIVIDUALĺüLMSĺARTICULATEĺTHISĺINĺCOMPLEXĺANDĺCONTRADICTORYĺ WAYSĺ)NĺAĺSIMILARĺVEIN ĺTRADITIONALĺWEAPONS ĺSUCHĺASĺSWORDSĺANDĺKNIVES ĺTHATĺ APPEARĺINĺ*APANESEĺGANGSTERĺNOIRĺSIGNIFYĺTHEĺDEMISEĺOFĺTRADITIONALĺSOCIALĺVALUES ĺ

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WHILEĺ THEĺ IMPROMPTUĺ USEĺ OFĺ Aĺ HAMMERĺ ASĺ Aĺ WEAPONĺ INĺ /LDBOYĺ CONVEYSĺ THEĺ HELPLESSĺPOSITIONĺOFĺTHEĺUNDERPRIVILEGEDĺINĺCAPITALISTĺCLASSĺRELATIONSĺ#ONVERSELY ĺ 7ESTERNĺSUITS ĺCARSĺAND ĺMOSTĺIMPORTANTLY ĺTHEĺPOSSESSIONĺOFĺAĺGUN ĺSYMBOLISEĺ THEĺSUPERIORITYĺOFĺTHEĺCAPITALISTSĺ 7HILEĺTHEĺGUNüGHTSĺINĺ(ONGĺ+ONGĺGANGSTERĺüLMSĺCANĺBEĺSEENĺSPECIüCALLYĺTOĺ EXPRESSĺAĺPOSTCOLONIALĺ/CCIDENTALISM ĺINĺ3OUTHĺ+OREANĺNOIRĺTHEĺGUNĺSYMBOLISESĺ THEĺSOCIALĺSTATUSĺOFĺPEOPLEĺBEYONDĺSTATEĺCONTROLĺ)Nĺ/LDBOY ĺ7OOJINĺALONEĺPOS SESSESĺTHISĺPOWER ĺTHEĺRANGEĺOFĺTHEĺGUNĺENABLINGĺHIMĺTOĺMAINTAINĺDISTANCEĺFROMĺ HISĺVICTIMĺ4HEĺVICTIMlSĺRECOURSEĺTOĺAĺHAMMERĺFORĺSELF DEFENCEĺERADICATESĺTHEĺ DISTANCEĺBETWEENĺOPPONENTS ĺBRINGINGĺTHEMĺFACEĺTOĺFACEĺWITHĺTHEĺSUFFERINGĺANDĺ FEARĺONĺBOTHĺSIDESĺ4HISĺPHYSICALĺPROXIMITYĺALLOWSĺTHEĺAUDIENCEĺTOĺOBSERVEĺTHEIRĺ CLOSEĺHUMANĺINTERACTIONSĺANDĺFACIALĺEXPRESSIONS ĺANDĺDENIESĺTHEĺDISTANCEĺFROMĺ CONSEQUENCESĺTHATĺTHEĺCAPITALISTĺENJOYSĺ7OOlSĺNUMEROUSĺDANCE LIKE ĺGUNüGHTĺ SEQUENCESĺ LIKEWISEĺ REDUCEĺ THEĺ DISTANCEĺ BETWEENĺ ANTAGONISTSĺ TOĺ THATĺ OFĺ TRA DITIONALĺSWORDPLAYĺTYPICALLY ĺTHEYĺCONFRONTĺEACHĺOTHERĺUPĺCLOSE ĺHOLDINGĺGUNSĺ ATĺEACHĺOTHERlSĺHEADSĺORĺSATĺONĺTHEĺČOORĺCOVEREDĺINĺBLOODĺJUSTĺAĺCOUPLEĺOFĺFEETĺ APARTĺASĺTHEYĺSHOOTĺEACHĺOTHERĺATĺCLOSEĺRANGE ĺ )NĺCONCLUSION ĺTHEĺEXAMPLESĺOFĺNEO NOIRĺFROMĺTHEĺTHREEĺNATIONALĺCINEMASĺ PROJECTĺTHEĺDIFFERENTĺCOLOURSĺOFĺAĺPRISMĺREČECTINGĺTHEĺCRIMINALĺWORLDĺ4HEĺMEM ORIESĺOFĺCOLONIALĺPOWERĺORĺSUBJUGATION ĺMILITARYĺAGGRESSIONĺORĺOCCUPATION ĺHAVEĺ ALLĺ HADĺ Aĺ PROFOUNDĺ INČUENCEĺ ONĺ THEĺ RELATIONĺ BETWEENĺ THEĺ STATEĺ ANDĺ CINEMA ĺ BUTĺINĺEACHĺNATIONALĺCINEMAĺTHEĺORIGINSĺOFĺCRIMEĺANDĺVIOLENCEĺAREĺCOMPARABLE ĺ SIGNIFYINGĺAĺPOPULARĺREACTIONĺAGAINSTĺTHEĺPOLITICALĺABUSEĺOFĺSTATEĺPOWERĺANDĺTHEĺ MATERIALISTĺPURSUITSĺOFĺAĺCLASSĺSOCIETYĺUNDERĺ7ESTERNĺINČUENCESĺ#OLONIALĺHIS TORICITYĺANDĺMORALĺJUSTIüCATIONĺBASEDĺONĺ#ONFUCIANĺFAMILIALĺIDEOLOGYĺAREĺCRUCIALĺ FORĺ THEĺ EMOTIONALĺ IDENTIüCATIONĺ OFĺ THEĺ VIEWERĺ WITHĺ THEĺ CRIMINALSĺ4HEĺ SENSEĺ OFĺ BEINGĺ LOSTĺ ANDĺ HELPLESSĺ EXPRESSESĺ THEĺ DESTRUCTIVENESSĺ OFĺ LIFEĺ INĺ MODERNĺ SOCIETYĺ)NĺSHORT ĺTHEĺRISEĺANDĺFALLĺOFĺ!SIANĺGANGSTERĺNOIRĺINĺDIFFERENTĺYEARSĺINĺ THEĺ THREEĺ COUNTRIESĺ OFFERĺ CRITICALĺ INSIGHTSĺ INTOĺ CONTEMPORARYĺ !SIANĺ CULTUREĺ INĺ Aĺ GLOBALISEDĺ CONTEXT ĺ WHILEĺ THEĺ LOCALITYĺ ANDĺ HYBRIDITYĺ OFĺ !SIANĺ GANGSTERĺ NOIRĺ CHALLENGESĺ %UROCENTRICĺ UNIVERSALISMĺ ANDĺ /RIENTALISMĺ!Tĺ THEĺ SAMEĺ TIME ĺ THEĺ DIFFERENTĺCINEMATICĺMANIFESTATIONĺOFĺTHEĺPOSTCOLONIALĺSENTIMENTĺANDĺ#ONFUCIAN ISMĺINĺEACHĺSOCIETYĺADDRESSESĺTHEĺSPECIüCĺHISTORICALĺEXPERIENCESĺANDĺCULTURALĺ TRADITIONSĺOFĺTHEĺPEOPLE

AUTHOR’S NOTE 4HISĺ STUDYĺ WASĺ SUPPORTEDĺ BYĺ Aĺ *APANĺ 3OCIETYĺ FORĺ THEĺ 0ROMOTIONĺ OFĺ 3CIENCEĺ 0OSTDOCTORALĺ&ELLOWSHIP ĺENTITLEDĺk(ALLYUĺ+OREANĺ7AVE ĺANDĺ4RANSNATIONALĺ&LOWSĺ OFĺ0OPULARĺ#ULTUREĺBETWEENĺ*APANĺANDĺ+OREAl

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NOTES ĺ 1ĺĺ *APANĺ BANNEDĺ +OREAN LANGUAGEĺ üLMSĺ FORĺ THEĺ LASTĺ TENĺ YEARSĺ OFĺ ITSĺ COLONIALĺ RULE ĺ ANDĺ

ONLYĺPERMITTEDĺ*APANESE LANGUAGEĺüLMSĺWITHĺPRO *APANESEĺSENTIMENTSĺ4HEĺHISTORICALĺ TRAUMAĺOFĺTHEĺ*APANESEĺINVASIONĺANDĺOCCUPATIONĺOFĺ+OREAĺREMAINSĺAĺMAJORĺOBSTACLEĺ TOĺCINEMATICĺCO OPERATIONĺANDĺTRANSNATIONALĺCULTURALĺČOWSĺINĺ!SIA ĺNOTĺONLYĺBETWEENĺ THESEĺTWOĺCOUNTRIES 2ĺĺ &ORĺEXAMPLE ĺüLMMAKERĺANDĺACTIVISTĺ!DACHIĺ-ASAOĺCOMMENTEDĺTHATĺ+ITANOĺFANTASISESĺ

VIOLENCEĺ WITHOUTĺ REFERRINGĺ TOĺ SOCIALĺ REALITYĺ NOTESĺ FROMĺ THEĺ DIRECTORlSĺ TALKĺ AFTERĺ THEĺ SCREENINGĺ OFĺ 9ÛHEISHA TERORISUTO0RISONER4ERRORISTĺ  ĺ THEĺ +ITAKYUSHUĺ "IENNIAL ĺ ĺ3EPTEMBERĺ  3ĺĺ !ĺ PERIODĺ üLMĺ BASEDĺ ONĺ THEĺ CHIVALRICĺ CONCEPTĺ OFĺ HEROISMĺ ANDĺ LOYALTYĺ ANDĺ FEATURINGĺ

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REFERENCES "ORDE ĺ 2AYMONDĺ ANDĺ  TIENNEĺ #HAUMETONĺ ĺ ;= ĺ k4OWARDSĺ Aĺ $EüNITIONĺ OFĺ &ILMĺ .OIRl ĺTRANSĺ!LAINĺ3ILVER ĺINĺ!LAINĺ3ILVERĺANDĺ*AMESĺ5RSINIĺEDS ĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺ2EADER ĺSEV ENTHĺ%DITIONĺ.EWĺ9ORKĺ,IMELIGHT ĺp "ORDWELL ĺ$AVIDĺ ĺ0LANETĺ(ONGĺ+ONGĺ0OPULARĺ#INEMAĺANDĺTHEĺ!RTĺOFĺ%NTERTAINMENTĺ #AMBRIDGEĺ(ARVARDĺ5NIVERSITYĺ0RESSĺ #HO ĺ*AEHONGĺ ĺ3EGYEĺ9EONGHWAĺ'IHAENGĺ)ĺ;7ORLDĺ#INEMAĺ=ĺ3EOULĺ'EOREUM #HOI ĺ#HANGJIPĺ ĺk-INJUNJUEUIROEUIĺ)HAENGGWAĺ.ODONGĺ5NDONGlĺ;k4RANSITIONĺTOĺ$E MOCRACYĺANDĺ,ABOURĺ-OVEMENTl= ĺINĺ%ULBYEONGĺ#HANGĺED ĺ.AMBUKHANĺ*EONGCHIEUIĺ 'UJOWAĺ*EONMANGĺ;4HEĺ3TRUCTURESĺANDĺ0ROSPECTSĺOFĺ.ORTHĺANDĺ3OUTHĺ+OREANĺ0OLITICS=ĺ 3EOULĺ(ANULĺ!CADEMY ĺpĺ #HOI ĺ (ONGJAEĺ ED ĺ  ĺ EUIĺ +KUM ĺ GEUĺ 3EONGCHALEUIĺ )YUĺ ;!ĺ $REAMĺ OFĺ  ĺ THEĺ 2EASONSĺOFĺ2EČECTION=ĺ3EOULĺ.ANAMĺ0UBLISHING 'EROW ĺ!ARONĺ ĺ+ITANOĺ4AKESHIĺ,ONDONĺ"RITISHĺ&ILMĺ)NSTITUTEĺ (ICKS ĺ'EORGEĺ ĺ*APANlSĺ(IDDENĺ!PARTHEIDĺ4HEĺ+OREANĺ-INORITYĺANDĺTHEĺ*APANESEĺ !LDERSHOTĺ!SHGATEĺ (IGSON ĺ!NDREWĺ ĺk4HEĺ#ONCEPTĺOFĺ.ATIONALĺ#INEMAl ĺINĺ!LANĺ7ILLAMSĺED ĺ&ILMĺANDĺ .ATIONALISMĺ.EWĺ"RUNSWICKĺANDĺ,ONDONĺ2UTGERSĺ5NIVERSITYĺ0RESS ĺpĺ )GARASHI ĺ9OSHIKUNIĺ ĺk.INKYķĺKARAĺJITSUROKUĺEĺYAKUZAĺHăRķĺNOĺHENSENĺTOĺ NENDAIĺNOĺ NIHONĺNOĺSHAKAIlĺ;k&ROMĺ#HIVALRYĺTOĺm4RUEĺ$OCUMENTARYnĺ4RANSüGURATIONĺOFĺ9AKUZAĺ(EROĺ ANDĺ*APANESEĺ3OCIETYĺINĺTHEĺS= ĺ"UNKAHIHYķĺ;#ULTURESCRITIQUES= ĺ7INTER ĺp

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THE SHADOW OF OUTLAWS IN ASIAN NOIR

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9 British Neo-Noir and Reification: Croupier and Dirty Pretty Things MIKE WAYNE

Introduction 4HEREĺCOULDĺBEĺNOĺBETTERĺPROOFĺOFĺTHEĺPOWERĺOFĺREIüCATIONĺTHANĺTHEĺMARGINAL ITYĺ OFĺ THEĺ WORDĺ ITSELFĺ WITHINĺ THEĺ CRITICALĺ DISCOURSESĺ OFĺ OURĺ TIMEĺ4Oĺ BEĺ ABLEĺ TOĺ NAMEĺSOMETHINGĺATĺLEASTĺINDICATESĺAĺDEGREEĺOFĺCONSCIOUSNESSĺABOUTĺITĺTHATĺISĺAĺ NECESSARYĺIFĺNOTĺSUFüCIENTĺCONDITIONĺFORĺALTERINGĺTHATĺSOMETHINGĺBYĺCOMBININGĺ SELF CONSCIOUSĺTHOUGHTĺWITHĺOURĺPRACTICESĺ"UTĺWITHOUTĺAĺNAMEĺFORĺSOMETHING ĺ WEĺCANNOTĺEVENĺBEGINĺTOĺENGAGEĺINĺCONSCIOUSĺTRANSFORMATIONĺOFĺOURĺSOCIALĺRELA TIONSĺ ANDĺ PRACTICESĺ )Fĺ THEĺ TERMĺ REIüCATIONĺ ISĺ UNFAMILIARĺ THENĺ THEĺ kSOMETHINGlĺ THATĺITĺDENOTESĺISĺNOTĺ2EIüCATIONĺISĺLITERALLYĺTHEĺPROCESSĺOFĺTURNINGĺHUMANĺANDĺ SOCIALĺ RELATIONSHIPSĺ INTOĺ THINGS ĺ THEĺ PROCESSĺ WHEREBYĺ HUMANĺ ANDĺ SOCIALĺ RELA TIONSHIPSĺ AREĺ SUBORDINATEDĺ TOĺ THINGSĺ 2EIüCATIONĺ EQUALSĺ kTHINGIüCATIONlĺ4HESEĺ THINGSĺAREĺEVERYWHEREĺAROUNDĺUS ĺPARTĺOFĺOURĺHUMDRUMĺLIVESĺORĺRATHER ĺOURĺLIVESĺ AREĺ PARTĺ OFĺ THESEĺ HUMDRUMĺ THINGS ĺ4HEIRĺ MOSTĺ COMMONĺ MANIFESTATIONĺ ISĺ ASĺ COMMODITIESĺANDĺMONEY ĺBUTĺTHESEĺTHINGSĺINĺTURNĺDANCEĺTOĺTHEĺTUNEĺOFĺAĺMOREĺ POWERFULĺ MASTER ĺ THEĺ MASTERĺ THINGĺ CAPITALĺ !LREADYĺ )ĺ HAVEĺ IMPLIEDĺ Aĺ CERTAINĺ DISCREPANCYĺBETWEENĺSOMETHINGĺTHATĺISĺPERVASIVE ĺTHEĺREALITYĺOFĺREIüCATION ĺANDĺ OURĺCONSCIOUSNESSĺOFĺTHATĺREALITY ĺORĺATĺLEASTĺOURĺCONSCIOUSNESSĺTHATĺTHATĺREALITYĺ OFĺTHING DOMINANCEĺISĺSOMETHINGĺWEĺSHOULDĺBEĺWORRIEDĺABOUTĺ 4HISĺESSAYĺWILLĺEXPLOREĺTHISĺDOUBLEĺQUESTIONĺOFĺTHING DOMINANCEĺANDĺTHEĺDIS CREPANCYĺBETWEENĺAPPEARANCEĺFORMSĺOFĺREALITYĺANDĺTHEĺDEEPER ĺCONCEALEDĺRELA TIONSĺANDĺFORCESĺATĺWORKĺBENEATHĺTHOSEĺIMMEDIATELYĺVISIBLEĺAPPEARANCESĺSEEĺ 7AYNEĺĺp ĺ.OIRĺISĺAĺGENREĺTHATĺHASĺCONSISTENTLYĺDEALTĺWITHĺTHESEĺIS SUESĺANDĺCONTEMPORARYĺORĺNEO NOIRĺCONTINUESĺTOĺMINEĺTHISĺRICHĺIDEOLOGICALĺSEAMĺ )ĺ WILLĺ ANALYSEĺ $IRTYĺ 0RETTYĺ4HINGSĺ  ĺ Aĺ TITLEĺ THATĺ RESONATESĺ INĺ THISĺ CONTEXT ĺ

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ANDĺ#ROUPIERĺ ĺBOTHĺASĺTEXTSĺTHATĺCANĺILLUMINATEĺISSUESĺOFĺREIüCATIONĺWITHINĺ THEĺ BROADERĺ CULTUREĺ ANDĺ SOCIETYĺ ANDĺ ASĺ üLMĺ COMMODITIESĺ!Sĺ THEĺ LATTER ĺ $IRTYĺ 0RETTYĺ4HINGSĺANDĺ#ROUPIERĺCANĺTELLĺUSĺSOMETHINGĺABOUTĺTHEĺSTATEĺOFĺTHEĺ"RITISHĺ üLMĺINDUSTRYĺANDĺTHEĺCONSEQUENCESĺOFĺITSĺSUBORDINATIONĺTOĺ(OLLYWOODĺANDĺTHEĺ !MERICANĺMARKETĺWHICHĺ(OLLYWOODĺCONTROLSĺ)ĺREADĺTHEĺECONOMICĺLIFEĺOFĺTHESEĺ üLMSĺDIALECTICALLY ĺASĺPREüGURINGĺAĺFUTUREĺTHATĺDOESĺNOTĺINCLUDEĺüLMSĺLIKEĺTHEMĺ /NEĺ OFĺ THEĺ THEMESĺ THATĺ CONNECTSĺ THESEĺ üLMS ĺ ASĺ BOTHĺ CULTURALĺ TEXTSĺ ANDĺ üLMĺ COMMODITIES ĺISĺTHEĺQUESTIONĺOFĺCHANCEĺ)ĺSHALLĺARGUEĺTHATĺCHANCEĺISĺINĺFACTĺSTRUC TURALLYĺDETERMINEDĺBYĺTHEĺCONCEALEDĺFORCESĺOFĺCAPITALĺANDĺCOMMODIüCATIONĺTHATĺ FORTUNEĺANDĺFORTUNESĺAREĺTHEĺOUTCOMEĺOFĺTHEĺDISTRIBUTIONĺOFĺRISKĺANDĺOPPORTUNI TIESĺBYĺTHESEĺDOMINANTĺPOWERS ĺWHETHERĺINĺTHEĺFORMĺOFĺ(OLLYWOOD ĺkTHEĺ(OUSElĺ INĺ#ROUPIER ĺORĺTHOSEĺWHOĺBUYĺANDĺSELLĺBODYĺORGANSĺ$IRTYĺ0RETTYĺ4HINGS ĺ

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üRMLYĺENTRENCHEDĺOVERĺLONGĺPERIODSĺOFĺTIMEĺINĺBROADĺSECTORSĺOFĺTHEĺPOPULATIONĺ WHICHĺNORMALLYĺEXPERIENCEĺTHEĺVARIOUSĺMANIFESTATIONSĺOFĺCAPITALISMĺINĺAĺVERYĺ IMMEDIATEĺWAYlĺ,UK¸CSĺĺ ĺ!SĺAĺCONSEQUENCE ĺALLĺEXPRESSIONISMĺREG ISTEREDĺWASĺTHEĺkVERYĺIMMEDIATElĺSUBJECTIVEĺANDĺPSYCHOLOGICALĺSYMPTOMSĺOFĺAĺ DISINTEGRATIONĺWHICHĺDIDĺNOTĺPENETRATEĺDOWNĺTOĺTHEĺFACTORSĺTHATĺCONSTITUTEDĺTHEĺ STRUCTURALĺCAUSESĺANDĺkUNITYlĺOFĺALLĺTHISĺPERCEPTUALĺDISORDERĺ ,UK¸CSlĺ JUDGEMENTĺ ONĺ EXPRESSIONISM ĺ HOWEVER ĺ ISĺ PERHAPSĺ Aĺ LITTLEĺ HARSH ĺ BECAUSEĺITĺDOESĺNOTĺCONSIDERĺWHETHERĺTHEĺWORK ĺINĺITSĺCONTENTĺANDĺFORM ĺLEAVESĺ CLUESĺ ASĺ TOĺ THEĺ IMPERSONALĺ FORCESĺ RUPTURINGĺ THEĺ WORLDĺ +ENTĺ -INTURNlSĺ ESSAYĺ ONĺTHEĺCROSS FERTILISATIONĺBETWEENĺ!MERICANĺ!BSTRACTĺ%XPRESSIONISMĺANDĺüLMĺ NOIRĺINĺTHEĺSĺINCLUDESĺANĺINTERESTINGĺSTILLĺFROMĺTHEĺNOIRĺüLMĺ3CARLETĺ3TREETĺ  ĺDIRECTEDĺBYĺ!USTRO 'ERMANĺÀMIGRÀ ĺ&RITZĺ,ANGĺSEEĺĺ ĺ4HEĺSTILLĺ SHOWSĺAĺCHARACTERĺHAWKINGĺTWOĺPAINTINGSĺ/NEĺOFĺTHEMĺDEPICTSĺAĺNOIRISHĺNIGHT TIMEĺSTREETĺSCENEĺ&OREGROUND ĺLEFTĺANDĺRIGHTĺOFĺTHEĺPICTUREĺAREĺSTREETLIGHTSĺANDĺ UNDERĺTHEĺLEFTĺLAMPĺSTANDSĺAĺWOMAN ĺINĺTHEĺSTREET ĺDRAWNĺFAIRLYĺČATĺ4HEĺSTREET ĺ HOWEVERĺISĺMADEĺNOTĺOFĺTARMACĺBUTĺHASĺTHEĺQUALITYĺOFĺSCALES ĺAĺFACTĺCONüRMEDĺ BYĺTHEĺLARGEĺSERPENTĺWINDINGĺITSĺWAYĺDOWNĺAĺPILLARĺONĺTHEĺRIGHTĺHANDĺSIDEĺOFĺTHEĺ PICTUREĺ!NDĺBEHINDĺTHISĺSCENE ĺWITHĺITSĺPOTENTIALLYĺ#HRISTIANĺTHEOLOGICALĺREAD INGS ĺLIEĺSOMEĺPRECISEĺCLUESĺASĺTOĺWHATĺISĺWRONGĺWITHĺTHISĺWORLDĺ7EĺSEEĺINĺTHEĺ BACKGROUND ĺONĺTHEĺPAVEMENT ĺAĺSERIESĺOFĺSHOPĺFRONTSĺCAFÀĺANDĺAUTOĺSUPPLIESĺ ONĺEITHERĺSIDEĺOFĺTHEĺPICTURE ĺBUTĺRIGHTĺINĺTHEĺMIDDLEĺOFĺTHEĺPICTURE ĺCOMMANDINGĺ OURĺGAZE ĺAĺPAWNĺSHOP ĺADVERTISINGĺLOANSĺ!NDĺABOVEĺTHEĺSHOPS ĺSOMEĺADVERTIS INGĺHOARDINGSĺONEĺFORĺWHISKY ĺONEĺFORĺCIGARETTES ĺTHEĺNECESSARYĺANAESTHETICSĺ FORĺAĺDISTORTEDĺWORLDĺ3OĺIFĺüLMĺCANĺUSEĺEXPRESSIONISMĺINĺITSĺOWNĺMAKINGĺANDĺ HEREĺDEPLOYĺITĺSELF CONSCIOUSLYĺASĺAĺSTYLEĺOFĺPAINTINGĺTHATĺHINTSĺATĺTHEĺCAUSALĺFAC TORSĺRESPONSIBLEĺFORĺPERCEPTUALĺANDĺEXPERIENTIALĺCRISIS ĺTHENĺ,UK¸CSlĺJUDGEMENTĺ ABOUTĺ THEĺ STYLEĺ OFĺ EXPRESSIONISMĺ WALLOWINGĺ INĺ MEREĺ SUBJECTIVEĺ IMMEDIACYĺ SEEMSĺPROBLEMATICĺ 9ETĺIFĺ,UK¸CSĺISĺTOOĺHASTYĺINĺDISMISSINGĺEXPRESSIONISM ĺHEĺISĺRIGHTĺTHATĺRELAT INGĺTHEĺEXPERIENCEĺOFĺFRAGMENTATIONĺTOĺMOREĺSTRUCTURALĺCAUSALITIESĺDOESĺCONSTI TUTEĺAĺPROBLEMĺ&RAGMENTATIONĺDOESĺCONSTITUTEĺANĺIMPORTANTĺPARTĺOFĺOURĺEVERY DAYĺLIFE ĺBUTĺTHISĺFRAGMENTATIONĺALSOĺCONCEALSĺTHEĺSTRUCTURALĺANDĺENDURINGĺSOCIALĺ ARRANGEMENTSĺTHATĺGENERATEĺTHEĺFRAGMENTATIONĺINĺTHEĺüRSTĺPLACEĺ(OWEVER ĺTHEĺ OTHERĺSIDEĺOFĺFRAGMENTATIONĺANDĺDISINTEGRATIONĺISĺTHEĺMOREĺPOSITIVEĺAPPEARINGĺ FACETĺOFĺTHING LIKEĺLIFE ĺTHATĺOFĺTHEĺAUTONOMYĺOFĺEACHĺTOĺDOĺASĺTHEYĺPLEASEĺUNEN CUMBERED ĺWITHINĺTHEĺRULESĺOFĺLAW ĺBYĺCONSIDERATIONĺOFĺORĺRESPONSIBILITYĺTOWARDSĺ OTHERSĺ/NEĺOFĺTHEĺGREATĺTRANSMISSIONĺBELTSĺFORĺTHEĺPROMISESĺOFĺTHISĺAUTONOMYĺ ANDĺACCESSĺTOĺTHISĺAUTONOMYĺISĺOFĺCOURSEĺTHEĺMARKETĺPLACEĺOFĺCONSUMERĺGOODSĺ (ERE ĺTHEĺSURFACEĺAPPEARANCEĺOFĺLIFEĺACQUIRESĺAĺBENIGNĺFACEĺANDĺONEĺCANĺEASILYĺ SEEĺHOWĺEXPRESSIONISTĺTHEMESĺANDĺMODESĺOFĺCOMPOSITIONĺASĺWITHĺTHEĺPAINTINGĺ INĺ3CARLETĺ3TREET ĺCOULDĺBEĺREADĺASĺINTUITIVEĺCRITIQUESĺOFĺATĺLEASTĺTHISĺASPECTĺOFĺ OURĺREIüEDĺCONSCIOUSNESSĺ

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NEO-NOIR

Covert operations: Dirty Pretty Things

.OIRĺ WASĺ ONEĺ OFĺ THEĺ üRSTĺ SUSTAINEDĺ ATTEMPTSĺ WITHINĺ THEĺ (OLLYWOODĺ üLMĺ INDUSTRYĺ TOĺ EXPLOREĺ THEĺ DISJUNCTUREĺ BETWEENĺ MIDDLE CLASSĺ WEALTH ĺ AFČUENCE ĺ MANNERS ĺCONTENTMENT ĺFAMILYĺLIFEĺANDĺSTATUS ĺONĺTHEĺONEĺHAND ĺANDĺTHEĺREPRES SION ĺDISCONTENTĺANDĺVIOLENCEĺLURKINGĺBENEATHĺTHEĺSURFACEĺOFĺLIFE ĺONĺTHEĺOTHERĺ 4HISĺDISJUNCTUREĺüGUREDĺPROMINENTLYĺINĺNOIRlSĺDISTINCTIVEĺLIGHTINGĺARRANGEMENTSĺ WHICHĺ BROKEĺ WITHĺ THEĺ STANDARDISEDĺ THREE POINTĺ kHIGHĺ KEYlĺ LIGHTINGĺ SYSTEMĺ OFĺ THEĺTIMEĺWHICHĺHADĺBEENĺDEVELOPEDĺTOĺILLUMINATEĺHIGHĺPRODUCTIONĺVALUESĺANDĺ MIDDLE CLASSĺAFČUENCEĺ.OIRĺBYĺCONTRASTĺLOWEREDĺTHEĺAMOUNTĺOFĺLIGHTĺSUFFUSINGĺ THEĺSETĺkLOWĺKEYl ĺANDĺEXPERIMENTEDĺWITHĺLIGHTINGĺPOSITIONSĺINĺORDERĺTOĺPRODUCE ĺ LITERALLYĺ ANDĺ üGURATIVELY ĺ kDARKĺ WORLDSlĺ PIERCEDĺ WITHĺ PUDDLESĺ ORĺ SHARDSĺ OFĺ LIGHTĺ SEEĺ0LACEĺĺ0ETERSONĺ ĺ)FĺNEO NOIRĺDOESĺNOTĺNECESSARILYĺREPRODUCEĺTHISĺ CHIAROSCUROĺSTYLE ĺLIGHTINGĺSTILLĺREMAINSĺANĺIMPORTANTĺSIGNIüERĺINĺTHEĺDISCREPANCYĺ BETWEENĺAPPEARANCESĺANDĺREALITIES $IRTYĺ0RETTYĺ4HINGSĺISĺINĺMANYĺRESPECTSĺAĺTHRILLERĺRATHERĺTHANĺAĺNOIRĺüLM ĺBUTĺITĺ DOESĺHAVEĺTHISĺDISCREPANCYĺBETWEENĺCOMMERCIALLYĺCONSTRUCTEDĺAPPEARANCESĺANDĺ MOREĺUNPLEASANTĺORĺEXPLOITATIVEĺREALITIESĺASĺAĺCENTRALĺMOTIFĺINĺTHEĺüLMĺ)NDEEDĺITĺ ISĺENCAPSULATEDĺINĺTHEĺüLMlSĺTITLE ĺASĺISĺCLEARĺWHENĺ3ENIORĺ*UANĺ3ERGIĺ,ÊPEZ ĺTHEĺ MANAGERĺOFĺTHEĺ"ALTICĺ(OTEL ĺTELLSĺTHEĺüLMlSĺHERO ĺ/KWEĺ#HIWETELĺ%JIOFOR ĺTHATĺ STRANGERSĺkCOMEĺTOĺTHEĺHOTELĺINĺTHEĺNIGHTĺTOĺDOĺDIRTYĺTHINGSĺ!NDĺINĺTHEĺMORNINGĺITĺ ISĺOURĺJOBĺTOĺMAKEĺTHINGSĺLOOKĺPRETTYĺAGAINlĺ)NĺAĺWORLDĺDOMINATEDĺBYĺCOMMERCIAL ISEDĺMESSAGESĺANDĺENVIRONMENTSĺOFĺALLĺSORTS ĺTHEREĺISĺALSOĺTHISĺPROCESSINGĺOFĺRE ALITYĺINTOĺAĺPRETTY ĺCLEANĺANDĺDELIGHTFULĺTHINGĺ)Nĺ$IRTYĺ0RETTYĺ4HINGS ĺ3ENIORĺ*UANlSĺ WORDSĺHAVEĺAĺPARTICULARĺRESONANCEĺBECAUSEĺ/KWEĺDISCOVERSĺTHATĺTHEĺHOTELĺMAN AGERĺISĺINVOLVEDĺINĺTHEĺILLEGALĺORGANĺTRADE ĺANDĺISĺINDEEDĺUSINGĺTHEĺHOTELĺROOMSĺASĺ THEĺPLACEĺTOĺCARRYĺOUTĺTHEĺNECESSARYĺOPERATIONSĺONĺDESPERATEĺIMMIGRANTS 4HUSĺINĺTHEĺPUBLICĺAREASĺOFĺTHEĺHOTEL ĺSUCHĺASĺTHEĺLOBBYĺANDĺTHEĺHALLWAYS ĺTHEĺ LIGHTING ĺMOTIVATEDĺDIEGETICALLYĺFROMĺTHEĺINTERIORĺLAMPS ĺHASĺAĺWARMĺYELLOWGOLD

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ENĺGLOWĺABOUTĺITĺ"UTĺTHEĺSECURITYĺCAMERASĺVIAĺWHICHĺTHEĺCLEANINGĺSTAFFĺHAVEĺTOĺ REGISTERĺTHEIRĺIDENTITYĺLOOKĺATĺTHEMĺWITHĺAĺCOLDĺBLUEĺIMAGE ĺTHEIRĺRELATIONSHIPĺTOĺ THEIRĺPLACEĺOFĺWORKĺSTRIPPEDĺOFĺTHEĺCOSYĺASSOCIATIONSĺTHEĺHOTELĺCONSTRUCTSĺFORĺ ITSĺCUSTOMERSĺ-EANWHILE ĺINĺTHEĺBACKĺOFĺTHEĺHOTELĺWHEREĺ3ENIORĺ*UANĺHASĺHISĺ OFüCE ĺOUTĺOFĺSIGHTĺOFĺTHEĺPUBLICĺORĺTHEĺCUSTOMER ĺTHEĺLIGHTING ĺAGAINĺMOTIVATEDĺ DIEGETICALLYĺBYĺINTERIORĺCOLOURĺSCHEMES ĺHASĺAĺDISTINCTLYĺSICK ĺUNHEALTHYĺGREENĺ TINGEĺTOĺIT ĺASĺBEüTSĺSOMEONEĺENGAGEDĺINĺTHEĺULTIMATEĺCOMMODIüCATIONĺTHINGI üCATION ĺOFĺTHEĺBODYĺ ,ETĺUSĺRETURNĺTOĺTHEĺQUESTIONĺOFĺFRAGMENTATIONĺRAISEDĺBYĺ,UK¸CS ĺBECAUSEĺ ITĺISĺRELEVANTĺIFĺWEĺAREĺTOĺCONSIDERĺINĺWHATĺRESPECTSĺ$IRTYĺ0RETTYĺ4HINGS ĺDESPITEĺ BEINGĺ Aĺ COMMENTARYĺONĺ REIüCATION ĺ ISĺ STILLĺ AĺREIüEDĺüLMĺ)NĺANĺINTERESTINGĺCRI TIQUEĺOFĺTHEĺüLM ĺ3AMUELĺ!MAGOĺHASĺSUGGESTEDĺTHATĺTHEĺüLMĺMOBILISESĺAĺLONGĺ TRADITIONĺ OFĺ %UROPEANĺ (ISPANOPHOBIAĺ INĺ ITSĺ USEĺ OFĺ 3PANISHĺ ACTORĺ 3ERGIĺ ,ÊPEZĺ TOĺPLAYĺ3ENIORĺ*UANĺALSOĺCALLEDĺk3NEAKYlĺINĺTHEĺüLM ĺ4HEĺPOINTĺISĺNOTĺTHATĺTHEĺ VILLAINĺOFĺTHEĺüLMĺHAPPENSĺTOĺBEĺ3PANISHĺBUTĺTHATĺTHEĺVILLAINlSĺ3PANISHNESSĺISĺ FOREGROUNDEDĺATĺSIGNIüCANTĺMOMENTSĺSEEĺ!MAGOĺĺ ĺ4HISĺFOCALISATIONĺ HASĺTHEĺCONVENIENTĺEFFECTĺOFĺDEČECTINGĺCRITICISMĺAWAYĺFROMĺTHEĺ"RITISHĺNATIONALĺ CONTEXTĺRESPONSIBLEĺFORĺTHEĺVULNERABILITYĺOFĺTHEĺIMMIGRANTSĺANDĺASYLUMĺSEEKERSĺ INĺTHEĺCONTEXTĺOFĺkLATEĺCAPITALISTĺGLOBALISEDĺSOCIETYlĺĺ  4HEĺ PROBLEMĺ ISĺ PARTLYĺ GENERIC ĺ SINCEĺ GENRESĺ TENDĺ PRECISELYĺ TOĺ DIVIDEĺ THEĺ WORLDĺUPĺINTOĺFRAGMENTEDĺCOMPARTMENTSĺ7HILEĺTHEĺPOLITICALĺTHRILLERĺWILLĺFOCUSĺ ONĺAGENTSĺANDĺREPRESENTATIVESĺOFĺTHEĺSTATEĺBUTĺATĺTHEĺEXPENSEĺOFĺTHEĺBROADERĺ SOCIALĺRELATIONSĺWHICHĺAREĺEFFECTEDĺBYĺTHEĺSTATEĺANDĺINĺTURNĺIMPACTĺONĺIT ĺ$IRTYĺ 0RETTYĺ4HINGSĺISĺMOREĺOFĺAĺSOCIALĺTHRILLER ĺWHICHĺLOCATESĺITSĺNARRATIVEĺINĺEVERYDAYĺ SOCIALĺLIFE ĺBUTĺOCCLUDESĺTHEĺPOLITICALĺANDĺSTATEĺAPPARATUS ĺWHOSEĺACTIONS ĺINĺTHEĺ "RITISHĺ CONTEXT ĺ ATTRACTEDĺ 3TEPHENĺ &REARSĺ TOĺ THEĺ SCREENPLAYĺ INĺ THEĺ üRSTĺ PLACEĺ SEEĺ,UCIAĺ ĺ"UTĺPERHAPSĺTHEREĺWEREĺOTHERĺPRESSURESĺMITIGATINGĺAGAINSTĺ ADDRESSINGĺTHEĺSPECIüCĺCONTEXTĺOFĺTHEĺ"RITISHĺNATION STATEĺ!ĺCLUEĺASĺTOĺWHATĺ THOSEĺOTHERĺPRESSURESĺMIGHTĺBEĺCOMESĺINĺTHEĺüGUREĺOFĺTHEĺDISPLACINGĺMECHA NISMĺITSELFĺ&ORĺTHEĺ3PANISHĺVILLAINĺISĺNOTĺAĺPARTICULARLYĺRECURRENTĺüGUREĺINĺ"RITISHĺ CINEMAĺ(OWEVER ĺTHEREĺISĺAĺüLMĺMARKETĺWHEREĺGREEDYĺANDĺUNTRUSTWORTHYĺ(IS PANICĺVILLAINSĺHAVEĺAĺLONGĺHISTORYĺNAMELY ĺTHEĺ!MERICANĺMARKETĺ)ĺHAVEĺARGUEDĺ ELSEWHEREĺTHATĺTHEĺSUBORDINATIONĺANDĺINTEGRATIONĺOFĺ"RITISHĺCINEMAĺINĺTERMSĺOFĺ PRODUCTION ĺDISTRIBUTIONĺANDĺEXHIBITIONĺINTOĺ(OLLYWOOD ĺMEANSĺEFFECTIVELYĺTHATĺ "RITISHĺüLMS ĺIFĺTHEYĺWANTĺTOĺRECOVERĺTHEIRĺCOSTS ĺLETĺALONEĺMAKEĺAĺPROüT ĺHAVEĺ TOĺTAKEĺAĺCULTURALĺDETOURĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺ!MERICANĺMARKETĺSEEĺ7AYNEĺ ĺ)TĺISĺ TIMEĺNOWĺTOĺTAKEĺAĺLOOKĺATĺTHEĺQUESTIONĺOFĺREIüCATIONĺASĺITĺPERTAINSĺTOĺTHEĺ"RITISHĺ üLMĺINDUSTRY

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-ARXĺWROTEĺTHATĺk4HEĺDEVALUATIONĺOFĺTHEĺWORLDĺOFĺMENĺISĺINĺDIRECTĺPROPORTIONĺ TOĺTHEĺINCREASINGĺVALUEĺOFĺTHEĺWORLDĺOFĺTHINGSlĺĺĺEMPHASISĺINĺORIGINAL ĺ -ARXĺCALLSĺTHISĺDEVALUATIONĺESTRANGEMENTĺORĺALIENATIONĺ(EĺGROUNDEDĺMODERNĺ ALIENATIONĺ INĺ SPECIüCĺ HISTORICĺ CONDITIONS ĺ CHIEČYĺ INĺ THEĺ TRANSFORMATIONĺ OFĺ THEĺ WORKERlSĺPOWERĺTOĺLABOURĺINTOĺAĺCOMMODITYĺTHATĺISĺSOLDĺINĺCOMPETITIONĺINĺTHEĺ MARKET ĺLIKEĺANYĺOTHERĺCOMMODITYĺ4HUS ĺINĺALIENATION ĺkTHEĺOBJECTĺWHICHĺLABOURĺ PRODUCESĺpĺLABOURlSĺPRODUCTĺpĺCONFRONTSĺITĺASĺSOMETHINGĺALIEN ĺASĺAĺPOWERĺINDE PENDENTĺOFĺTHEĺPRODUCERlĺIBIDĺEMPHASISĺINĺORIGINAL ĺ-ANYĺüLMMAKERSĺCOULDĺ TESTIFYĺTOĺTHISĺEXPERIENCE ĺWHEREĺBOTHĺTHEĺCONDITIONSĺUNDERĺWHICHĺTHEYĺSELLĺTHEIRĺ LABOURĺANDĺTHEĺPRODUCTĺTHATĺISĺTHEĺRESULTĺOFĺTHEIRĺLABOUR ĺCONFRONTSĺTHEMĺASĺANĺ INDEPENDENT ĺALIENĺANDĺHOSTILEĺPOWERĺ 4HEĺ"RITISHĺüLMĺINDUSTRYĺHASĺAĺDOUBLEĺPROBLEMĺINĺTHISĺREGARDĺ.OTĺONLYĺISĺITĺAĺ CAPITALISTĺINDUSTRYĺBUTĺALSOĺITĺISĺAĺCAPITALISTĺINDUSTRYĺINTEGRATEDĺINTOĺTHEĺBIGGEST ĺ MOSTĺ POWERFULĺ MOSTĺ REIüED ĺ CAPITALISTĺ üLMĺ INDUSTRYĺ INĺ THEĺ WORLDĺ &ORĺ (OLLY WOOD ĺREVENUESĺFROMĺITSĺOVERSEASĺMARKETSĺVIRTUALLYĺMATCHĺDOMESTICĺBOX OFüCEĺ REVENUESĺFORĺTHEATRICALĺEXHIBITIONĺSEEĺ-ILLERĺETĺALĺĺ ĺ&IGURESĺPUBLISHEDĺ BYĺTHEĺ5+ĺ&ILMĺ#OUNCILĺINĺTHEIRĺANNUALĺSTATISTICALĺREPORTĺAĺDOCUMENTĺWHICHĺISĺAĺ MASTERĺWORKĺOFĺREIüCATION ĺCONSTANTLYĺINVERTINGĺTHEĺ"RITISHĺüLMĺINDUSTRYlSĺSUB ORDINATEĺINTEGRATIONĺINTOĺ(OLLYWOODĺINTOĺAĺSUCCESSĺSTORY
ĺILLUSTRATEĺTHEĺEXTENTĺ OFĺTHEĺPROBLEMĺ)Nĺ s 53SOLOPRODUCED lLMSNUMBEREDRELEASESINTHE"RITISHMARKET4OGETHERTHEY took £386.2m, which represents a 45.7 per cent share of the box office. s 53AND5+CO PRODUCTIONS SUCHASHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the WereRabbit (2005), Batman Begins (2005), Pride & Prejudice (2005) and Nanny McPhee (2005), numbered 61 releases and took a further £239.3m and a further 28.3 per cent of the box office. s 53CO PRODUCTIONSWITHNON "RITISHCOMPANIESACCOUNTEDFORRELEASES aM ANDAFURTHERPERCENTOFTHEBOXOFlCE5+&ILM#OUNCIL  4HISĺDOMINATIONĺOFĺ(OLLYWOODĺüLMS ĺOFĺüLMSĺMADEĺINĺTHEĺ(OLLYWOODĺMOULDĺANDĺ OFĺREVENUES ĺMEANSĺTHATĺ5+ĺüLMSĺANDĺ5+ĺCO PRODUCTIONSĺWITHĺOTHERĺCOUNTRIESĺ AREĺLEFTĺWITHĺĺPERĺCENTĺOFĺTHEĺBOXĺOFüCE ĺ%UROPEANĺPRODUCTIONSĺWITHĺĺPERĺ CENT ĺ)NDIANĺüLMSĺWITHĺĺPERĺCENTĺANDĺTHEĺRESTĺOFĺTHEĺWORLDĺWITHĺTHEĺCLOSEĺTOĺ EXTINCTIONĺüGUREĺOFĺĺPERĺCENTĺ4HATĺISĺDOMINATIONĺONĺAĺCOLOSSALĺSCALE ĺBYĺANYĺ DEüNITIONĺ)NĺTHISĺCONTEXTĺITĺISĺHARDLYĺSURPRISINGĺTHATĺ$IRTYĺ0RETTYĺ4HINGS ĺWHICHĺ HADĺAĺBUDGETĺOFĺ£ĺMILLION ĺDIDĺRATHERĺPOORLYĺINĺTHEĺ"RITISHĺMARKETĺINĺTERMSĺOFĺ ITSĺOVERALLĺTAKINGSĺ"UT ĺASĺTABLEĺ!ĺBELOWĺSUGGESTS ĺTHISĺWASĺNOTĺAĺREČECTIONĺOFĺ SOVEREIGNĺCONSUMERSĺSIMPLYĺEXERCISINGĺTHEIRĺCHOICESĺAĺDEEPLYĺREIüEDĺCONCEPT ĺ BUTĺINSTEADĺWASĺMOREĺAĺREČECTIONĺOFĺTHEĺINSTITUTIONALISEDĺPOWERĺOFĺTHEĺ53ĺCOM PANIESĺINĺTHEĺMARKETĺPLACEĺ4HEĺTABLEĺCOMPARESĺTHEĺTHREE DAYĺWEEKENDĺGROSSĺ

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Like Mike Number of sites Site average

Dirty Pretty Things Number of sites Site average

Week 1

Week 3

Week 4

(3 day gross)

(3 day gross)

(3 day gross)

£246,169

£158,694

£130,714

279

281

248

£882

£565

£527

£141,865

£76,946

£56,765

50

45

29

£2,837

£1,710

£1,957

Table A. Source: Screen International (2003a and 2003b)

BOX OFüCEĺ TAKINGSĺ OFĺ $IRTYĺ 0RETTYĺ4HINGSĺ WITHĺ THEĺ 53ĺ CHILDRENlSĺ üLMĺ ,IKEĺ -IKEĺ  ĺ PRODUCEDĺ BYĺ THĺ #ENTURY &OXĺ ANDĺ RELEASEDĺ INĺ THEĺ SAMEĺ WEEKENDĺ ASĺ $IRTYĺ0RETTYĺ4HINGSĺpĺ$ECEMBERĺ ĺ4HEĺKEYĺTHINGĺTOĺLOOKĺOUTĺFORĺISĺTHATĺ $IRTYĺ0RETTYĺ4HINGSĺISĺACTUALLYĺDOINGĺQUITEĺWELLĺCOMPAREDĺTOĺ,IKEĺ-IKEĺGIVENĺTHEĺ NUMBERĺOFĺSITESĺCINEMAS ĺITĺHASĺACCESSĺTOĺ!CROSSĺTHEĺFOURĺWEEKS ĺ$IRTYĺ0RETTYĺ 4HINGSĺHASĺAĺGROSSĺWEEKENDĺTAKEĺTHATĺHOVERSĺJUSTĺABOVE ĺAROUNDĺORĺJUSTĺBELOWĺ HALFĺTHATĺOFĺ,IKEĺ-IKE ĺANDĺYETĺTHEĺLATTERĺüLMĺHASĺINĺWEEKSĺTHREEĺANDĺFOURĺMOREĺ THANĺSIXĺANDĺMOREĺTHANĺEIGHTĺTIMESĺASĺMANYĺSITESĺASĺITSĺCOMPETITORĺ7HATĺISĺCLEARĺ ISĺTHATĺTHEĺ53ĺüLMĺHADĺAĺMARKETĺPROüLEĺOUTĺOFĺALLĺPROPORTIONĺTOĺITSĺPOPULARITY ĺBUTĺ WITHĺPRODUCTIONĺANDĺPRINTSĺANDĺADVERTISINGĺCOSTSĺOFĺAROUNDĺĺMILLIONĺANDĺTHATĺ MAKESĺITĺAĺkLOWl BUDGETĺüLMĺINĺ(OLLYWOODĺTERMS ĺITĺHASĺTOĺBEĺKEPTĺONĺTHEĺ"RITISHĺ SCREENSĺATĺTHEĺEXPENSEĺOFĺAĺ"RITISHĺüLMĺINĺORDERĺTOĺHELPĺRECOVERĺITSĺCOSTS )TĺISĺOFTENĺSAIDĺTHATĺTHEĺ"RITISHĺDOMESTICĺMARKETĺISĺTOOĺSMALLĺFORĺ"RITISHĺüLMSĺ TOĺRECOVERĺTHEIRĺCOSTSĺINĺITĺ(OWEVERĺTRUEĺITĺISĺTHATĺüLMSĺMUSTĺCIRCULATEĺONĺTHEĺIN TERNATIONALĺMARKETĺINĺORDERĺTOĺRECOVERĺTHEIRĺCOSTS ĺITĺISĺALSOĺCLEARĺTHATĺTHEĺ"RITISHĺ MARKETĺISĺMADEĺRATHERĺSMALLERĺWHENĺITĺISĺDOMINATEDĺBYĺ53ĺCOMPANIESĺANDĺTHEIRĺ PRODUCTSĺ4HEĺSUCCESSĺOFĺ"RITISHĺüLMSĺINTERNATIONALLYĺANDĺINĺTHEIRĺOWNĺDOMESTICĺ MARKETĺDEPENDSĺINCREASINGLYĺONĺTHEĺRECEPTIVENESSĺOFĺTHEĺ(OLLYWOOD CONSTRUCT EDĺ!MERICANĺMARKETĺTOĺ"RITISHĺüLMSĺORĺJUDGEMENTSĺABOUTĺWHATĺWILLĺSUCCEEDĺINĺ THEĺ!MERICANĺMARKET ĺ9ETĺEVENĺSUCCESSĺINĺTHEĺ!MERICANĺMARKETĺDOESĺNOTĺNEC ESSARILYĺTRANSLATEĺINTOĺ"RITISHĺüLMSĺGETTINGĺDECENTĺACCESSĺTOĺ"RITISHĺAUDIENCESĺ !SĺTHESEĺDYNAMICSĺBECOMEĺLOCKEDĺINTOĺINSTITUTIONALĺRELATIONSĺANDĺINTERNALISEDĺ BYĺKEYĺSOCIALĺACTORSĺPRODUCERS ĺDIRECTORS ĺANDĺSOĺFORTH ĺSOĺ"RITISHĺCINEMAĺENDSĺ UPĺBEINGĺAĺCINEMAĺMADE ĺüRSTĺANDĺFOREMOST ĺFORĺEXPORT ,ETĺUSĺRETURNĺTOĺ$IRTYĺ0RETTYĺ4HINGS ĺTHEĺSCREENPLAYĺFORĺWHICHĺWASĺWRITTENĺ IMPROBABLYĺENOUGHĺBYĺ3TEVENĺ+NIGHT ĺTHEĺMANĺWHOĺDESIGNEDĺTHEĺINTERNATIONALĺ HITĺQUIZĺSHOW ĺ7HOĺ7ANTSĺTOĺ"EĺAĺ-ILLIONAIREĺpPRESENT ĺ4HEĺüLMĺWASĺTHEĺ üRSTĺPRODUCTIONĺOFĺ#ELADORĺ&ILMS ĺOWNEDĺBYĺ#ELADORĺ0RODUCTIONS ĺWHICHĺMADEĺ 7HOĺ7ANTSĺTOĺ"EĺAĺ-ILLIONAIREĺ7HILEĺTHEĺüLMĺHADĺSOMEĺ""#ĺMONEYĺINĺIT ĺTHEĺ KEYĺ INPUTĺ INĺ TERMSĺ OFĺ THEĺ üLMlSĺ LIKELYĺ SUCCESSĺ CAMEĺ FROMĺ THEĺ 53ĺ COMPANYĺ

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ISĺOFTENĺBLAMEDĺFORĺTHEĺFAILUREĺOFĺ"RITISHĺüLMSĺINĺTHEĺ"RITISHĺMARKETĺ7HATĺGETSĺ CONCEALEDĺANDĺDISGUISEDĺBYĺTHISĺFETISHISMĺOFĺTHEĺüLMĺASĺCOMMODITYĺISĺTHEĺWIDERĺ ECONOMICĺANDĺINSTITUTIONALĺRELATIONSHIPS ĺTHEĺCONüGURATIONSĺOFĺPOWERĺINSCRIBEDĺ INTOĺTHEMĺANDĺHOWĺTHESEĺIMPACTĺONĺANDĺCIRCUMSCRIBEĺTHEĺSPACEĺWITHINĺWHICHĺ THEĺkPRIVATElĺCOMMODITYĺMOVESĺ #HANCEĺANDĺ&ATEĺAREĺPOWERFULĺUNDERCURRENTSĺINĺüLMĺNOIR ĺWHEREĺUNINTENDEDĺ MEETINGSĺANDĺENCOUNTERSĺSUCKĺCHARACTERSĺTOWARDSĺWHATĺSEEMSĺTOĺBEĺINEVITABLEĺ MURDERĺANDĺDEATHĺ)NĺTHEĺSTRUGGLEĺOVERĺTHEĺFORCESĺOFĺCHANCEĺANDĺ&ATE ĺNOIRĺAS SIGNSĺTHEĺVOICE OVERĺAĺPECULIARLYĺPOWERFULĺROLEĺASĺANĺAUDIO FETISHĺWHEREĺTHEĺAP PARENTĺAUTONOMYĺOFĺMASCULINITYĺISĺACTEDĺOUTĺBUTĺALSOĺFREQUENTLYĺUNRAVELLEDĺ-ARKĺ "OULDĺHASĺNOTEDĺHOWĺTHEĺVOICE OVERĺOFĺNOIRĺCHARACTERSĺOFTENĺINVOKESĺAĺFANTASYĺOFĺ CONTROLĺINĺTHEĺACTĺOFĺNARRATIONĺWHILEĺINĺTHEĺkINTERSUBJECTIVEĺARENAlĺOFĺTHEĺNARRATIVEĺ THEĺMALEĺCHARACTERSĺWHOĺCONTROLĺTHEĺVOICE OVERĺSHOWĺTHEMSELVESĺTOĺBEĺRATHERĺ LESSĺOMNISCIENTĺĺ ĺ#HRISTINEĺ'LEDHILL ĺMEANWHILE ĺNOTESĺHOWĺTHEĺVOICE OVER ĺCOMBINEDĺWITHĺAĺČASHBACKĺSTRUCTUREĺOPENSĺUPĺAĺkTEMPORALĺSEPARATIONlĺBE TWEENĺTHEĺTELLINGĺOFĺTHEĺSTORYĺANDĺTHEĺEVENTSĺRETOLD ĺALLOWINGĺTHEĺAUDIENCEĺTOĺ EXPLOREĺTHEĺGAPSĺBETWEENĺTHEĺTWOĺĺ ĺ"OTHĺTHEĺQUESTIONĺOFĺCONTROLĺANDĺ PERSPECTIVEĺAREĺCENTRALĺTOĺTHEĺVOICE OVERĺANDĺČASHBACKĺNARRATIONĺINĺ#ROUPIER !FTERĺTHEĺCREDITSĺSEQUENCE ĺWHICHĺESTABLISHESĺTHEĺCENTRALITYĺOFĺTHEĺROULETTEĺ WHEELĺ ASĺ Aĺ MOTIF ĺ THEĺ üRSTĺ SCENEĺ PROPERĺ üNDSĺ *ACKĺ -ANFREDĺ #LIVEĺ /WEN ĺ INĺ THEĺ CASINO ĺ THEĺ CAMERAĺ CIRCLINGĺ HIMĺ *ACKlSĺ VOICE OVERĺ ADDRESSESĺ THEĺ IMPLIEDĺ AUDIENCEĺk.OWĺHEĺHADĺBECOMEĺTHEĺSTILLĺCENTREĺOFĺTHATĺSPINNINGĺWHEELĺOFĺMIS FORTUNEĺ4HEĺWORLDĺTURNEDĺROUNDĺHIMĺLEAVINGĺHIMĺMIRACULOUSLYĺUNTOUCHEDĺ4HEĺ CROUPIERĺHADĺREACHEDĺHISĺGOALĺ(EĺNOĺLONGERĺHEARDĺTHEĺSOUNDĺOFĺTHEĺBALLlĺ5N LIKEĺMOSTĺNOIRĺVOICE OVERSĺTHISĺONEĺDOESĺNOTĺBEGINĺINĺAĺSTATEĺOFĺDISTRESSĺORĺINĺ DANGEROUSĺCIRCUMSTANCESĺWHICHĺTHEĺSUBSEQUENTĺČASHBACKĺWILLĺUNRAVELĺ1UITEĺ THEĺCONTRARYĺpĺ*ACKlSĺNARRATIVEĺGOALĺHASĺBEENĺACCOMPLISHED
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THEĺTHEMEĺOFĺCONTROLĺTHATĺTHEĺPROTAGONISTĺBELIEVESĺHEĺHASĺACQUIREDĺINĺTHISHISĺ WORLDĺ(EĺISĺATĺTHEĺCENTREĺANDĺISĺUNTOUCHEDĺBYĺTHEĺkWHEELĺOFĺMISFORTUNElĺTHATĺ IMPACTSĺSOĺDISASTROUSLYĺONĺTHEĺCUSTOMERSĺOFĺTHEĺCASINOĺ7HATĺISĺPECULIARĺABOUTĺ THISĺVOICE OVERĺISĺTHATĺ*ACKĺSPEAKSĺOFĺHIMSELFĺINĺTHEĺTHIRDĺPERSONĺ&ORĺ*ACKĺISĺAĺ WOULD BEĺNOVELISTĺLOOKINGĺTOĺUSEĺHISĺEXPERIENCESĺINĺTHEĺCASINOĺBUSINESSĺASĺTHEĺ RAWĺMATERIALSĺOFĺHISĺNOVELĺ "Yĺ MAKINGĺ THEĺ CHARACTERĺ THATĺ DELIVERSĺ THEĺ VOICE OVERĺ Aĺ NOVELIST ĺ #ROUPIERĺ ELABORATESĺ ONĺ THEĺ NOIRĺ TRADITIONĺ OFĺ FOREGROUNDINGĺ THEĺ PROCESSĺ OFĺ NARRATIONĺ BYĺ TURNINGĺTHEĺCHIEFĺPROTAGONISTĺINTOĺAĺSTORYTELLERĺSEEĺ'LEDHILLĺĺ ĺ"YĺSPEAK INGĺ OFĺ HIMSELFĺ INĺ THEĺ THIRDĺ PERSON ĺ *ACKĺ SEEKSĺ ONCEĺ MOREĺ THEĺ COMFORTĺ OFĺ ANĺ /LYMPIANĺCONTROLĺOVERĺEVENTSĺANDĺPEOPLEĺTHATĺDIRECTLYĺIMPINGEĺONĺHISĺLIFEĺ"EINGĺ AĺSTORYTELLERĺTHUSĺHASĺAĺSTRUCTURALĺPARALLELĺWITHĺBEINGĺAĺCROUPIER ĺASĺBOTHĺPOSITIONĺ *ACKĺINĺAĺFETISHISTICĺTHATĺISĺPARTLYĺFANTASTIC ĺPOSITIONĺOFĺCONTROLĺANDĺMASCULINEĺ AUTONOMYĺTYPICALĺOFĺTHEĺNOIRĺHEROĺVOICE OVERĺ"UTĺBEINGĺAĺNARRATOR ĺLIKEĺBEINGĺANĺ EMPLOYEEĺINĺAĺCASINO ĺISĺNOTĺQUITEĺTHEĺ/LYMPIANĺPOSITIONĺOFĺCONTROLĺ*ACKĺTHINKSĺ ITĺISĺ&ORĺ*ACKlSĺSTORYTELLINGĺISĺJUSTĺONEĺELEMENTĺINĺAĺSYSTEMĺOFĺNARRATIONĺTHATĺISĺ FARĺMOREĺOMNISCIENTĺTHANĺHEĺISĺ 4HEĺ THIRD PERSONĺ ADDRESSĺ ALSOĺ HASĺ THEĺ EFFECTĺ OFĺ DIMINISHINGĺ THEĺ SENSEĺ OFĺ PASTĺ TENSEĺ ABOUTĺ THEĺ NARRATORlSĺ DISCOURSE ĺ MAKINGĺ ITĺ FEELĺ MUCHĺ MOREĺ ASĺ IFĺ ITĺ WEREĺAĺSIMULTANEOUSĺCOMMENTARYĺONĺEVENTSĺASĺTHEYĺHAPPEN ĺJUSTĺASĺTHEĺOM NISCIENTĺANDĺINVISIBLEĺNARRATORĺWOULDĺMAKEĺINĺAĺNOVELĺ"UTĺATĺTHEĺSAMEĺTIMEĺTHEĺ SPLITĺ BETWEENĺ *ACKĺ THEĺ PROTAGONISTĺ ANDĺ *ACKĺ THEĺ NARRATORĺ SUGGESTSĺ Aĺ DIVIDEDĺ SUBJECTĺ ANDĺ OPENSĺ UPĺ SOCIALĺ ANDĺ PSYCHOLOGICALĺ DISJUNCTURESĺ WITHINĺ *ACKĺ ANDĺ BETWEENĺ *ACKĺ ANDĺ HISĺ WORLDĺ4HUSĺ INĺ THEĺ BEGINNING ĺ *ACKlSĺ VOICE OVERĺ IMME DIATELYĺSIGNALSĺAĺCERTAINĺIDENTITYĺCRISISĺWHENĺHEĺNOTESĺk4OĺBEGINĺWITH ĺHEĺWASĺ *ACKĺ-ANFREDlĺ4HEĺ VOICEĺ BELONGSĺ TOĺ *ACKĺBUTĺ*ACKĺANDĺTHEĺVOICE OVERĺDOĺNOTĺ SEEMĺTOĺCOINCIDEĺENTIRELYĺ4HEĺSPLITĺISĺFURTHERĺWIDENEDĺWHENĺ*ACKĺSTARTSĺTOĺACTĺ MOREĺLIKEĺHISĺEMERGINGĺüCTIONALĺCHARACTER ĺ*AKEĺ)NDEEDĺITĺMAYĺBEĺ*ACKĺASĺ*AKEĺ WHOĺISĺRESPONSIBLEĺFORĺHISĺGIRLFRIENDlSĺMYSTERIOUSĺDEATHĺBYĺAĺHIT AND RUNĺDRIVERĺ *ACKĺTELLSĺUSĺTHATĺHISĺGIRLFRIEND ĺ-ARIONĺ.ELLĺ'INAĺ-C+EE ĺkWASĺAĺROMANTICĺANDĺ THOUGHTĺHEĺWASĺTOOlĺ7HENĺHEĺTELLSĺ-ARIONĺTHATĺSHEĺISĺALLĺHEĺDESIRES ĺWEĺHAVEĺTOĺ QUESTIONĺWHETHERĺTHATĺISĺTRUEĺHEĺHATESĺCHEATSĺpĺINĺTHEĺCASINOĺpĺBUTĺSLEEPSĺWITHĺ "ELLAĺ+ATEĺ(ARDIE ĺ3HORTLYĺAFTERWARDS ĺ-ARIONĺDECLARESĺHERĺLOVEĺFORĺ*ACK ĺWHILEĺ HISĺVOICE OVERĺTELLSĺUSĺk!NDĺHEĺHALF LOVEDĺ-ARIONĺ!NDĺSHEĺKNEWĺTHATĺTOOl 7HATĺ*ACKĺDESIRESĺABOVEĺALLĺISĺTHEĺWORKĺOFĺBEINGĺAĺCROUPIERĺINĺTHEĺCASINO ĺ WHOSEĺINTERIOR ĺAPPROPRIATELYĺENOUGHĺGIVENĺNOIRlSĺ'ERMANĺ%XPRESSIONISTĺROOTS ĺ WASĺSHOTĺINĺAĺüLMĺSTUDIOĺINĺ-ANNHEIMĺ#ROUPIERlSĺCASINOĺISĺLINEDĺWITHĺMIRRORSĺ THATĺDEPLOYĺTHEĺTRADITIONALĺNOIRĺMOTIFSĺOFĺDOUBLEĺIDENTITIESĺANDĺNARCISSISM ĺANDĺ BECAUSEĺTHEĺMIRRORSĺAREĺINĺDIFFERENTĺSEGMENTS ĺTHEYĺREČECTĺBACKĺAĺFRACTUREDĺANDĺ DISTORTEDĺWORLDĺ4HEĺCENTRALITYĺOFĺTHEĺCASINOĺASĺ*ACKlSĺDESIREDĺOBJECTĺISĺAĺSIG NIüCANTĺMODIüCATIONĺOFĺTHEĺTRADITIONALĺNOIRĺSTRUCTUREĺWHEREĺTHEĺOBJECTĺOFĺDESIREĺ HASĺ BEENĺ THEĺ BEAUTIFULĺ BUTĺ DANGEROUSĺ WOMANĺ ORĺ FEMMEĺ FATALEĺ7HATĺ HASĺ TOĺ

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BEĺINVESTIGATEDĺINĺ#ROUPIERĺISĺNOTĺTHEĺSEXUALĺDESIREĺOFĺTHEĺWOMANĺBUTĺTHEĺRAWĺ MATERIALSĺOFĺCASINOĺLIFEĺTHATĺWILLĺBECOMEĺTHEĺNOVELĺ*ACKĺISĺWRITINGĺ4HATĺISĺWHYĺ ALTHOUGHĺ -ARIONĺ CLOSELYĺ RESEMBLESĺ THEĺ üGUREĺ OFĺ THEĺ kNURTURINGĺ WOMANlĺ SEEĺ 0LACEĺĺp ĺ*ACKĺHASĺNOĺREALĺRELATIONSHIPĺWITHĺAĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺ*ACKĺMAYĺ TRYĺTOĺIMPOSEĺAĺNOIRĺüLTERĺONĺ"ELLAĺHEĺDESCRIBESĺHERĺASĺkTROUBLElĺANDĺWHENĺSHEĺISĺ INTRODUCEDĺTOĺTHEĺüLM ĺWEĺCANĺHEARĺINĺTHEĺBACKGROUNDĺOFĺTHEĺSCENEĺAĺNOIRTHRILLERĺ üLMĺONĺTHEĺTELEVISION ĺALLĺSCREECHINGĺTYRESĺANDĺGUNSHOTS ĺBUTĺHEĺANDĺWEĺSOONĺ DISCOVERĺTHATĺ"ELLAĺISĺFORTHRIGHTLYĺHONEST ĺUPFRONTĺANDĺTRANSPARENTĺ%VENĺ*ANIĺDEĺ 6ILLIERSĺ!LEXĺ+INGSTON ĺWHOĺPERSUADESĺHIMĺTOĺHAVEĺAĺMINORĺROLEĺINĺTHEĺCASINOĺ ROBBERY ĺDOESĺNOTĺüTĺTHEĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺBILL ĺASĺTHEIRĺRELATIONSHIPĺISĺ0LATONICĺRATHERĺ THANĺSEXUALĺINĺAĺNICEĺJOKE ĺTHEYĺEVENĺSLEEPĺpĺ*ACKĺINĺHISĺPYJAMASĺpĺINĺTHEĺSAMEĺ BEDĺWITHOUTĺkSLEEPINGlĺWITHĺEACHĺOTHER ĺ4HISĺSHIFTĺTOĺTHEĺCASINOĺASĺDESIREDĺOB JECTĺRECOVERSĺTHEĺECONOMICĺFETISHISMĺBEHINDĺTHEĺSEXUALĺFETISHISMĺOFĺTRADITIONALĺ NOIRĺ(OWEVER ĺARGUABLYĺTHEĺüLMĺITSELFĺSEEMSĺTOĺINVESTĺINĺ*ACKlSĺFETISHISTICĺSOLU TIONĺTOĺFETISHISMĺINCLUDINGĺHISĺINTERNATIONALĺSUCCESSĺWITHĺHISĺNOVEL ĺ)NSOFARĺASĺ THEREĺISĺAĺCRITIQUEĺOFĺ*ACK ĺITĺISĺPERSONAL ĺPSYCHOLOGICALĺ*ACKlSĺ/EDIPALĺISSUESĺ WITHĺ HISĺ FATHERĺ ANDĺ MOTHER ĺ MORALĺ ANDĺ SUBJECTIVEĺ RECALLINGĺ ,UK¸CSlĺ RESERVA TIONSĺABOUTĺEXPRESSIONISM ĺANDĺTHEREĺISĺLITTLEĺTOĺUNDERCUTĺHISĺüNALĺTRIUMPHANTĺ LINEĺTHATĺHEĺHASĺACQUIREDĺkTHEĺPOWERĺTOĺMAKEĺYOUĺLOSElĺ

Conclusion 4HISĺESSAYĺHASĺSUGGESTEDĺTHATĺTHEĺSTRUCTURALLYĺDETERMINEDĺČUCTUATIONSĺOFĺFOR TUNEĺFORĺ"RITISHĺCINEMAĺAREĺNARROWINGĺDOWNĺTOĺAĺRANGEĺOFĺGENRESĺSUCHĺASĺAD APTATIONSĺOFĺLITERARYĺCLASSICS ĺFANTASYĺüLMS ĺROMANTICĺCOMEDIESĺANDĺFORMULAICĺ GANGSTERĺ üLMS ĺ ASĺ "RITISHĺ CINEMAĺ BECOMESĺ EVERĺ MOREĺ INTEGRATEDĺ INTOĺ (OLLY WOODĺ"IGĺ#APITALĺANDĺRECONüGUREDĺFORĺITSĺCULTURALĺDETOURĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺ!MERICANĺ MARKETĺ7HATĺISĺTHEĺFUTUREĺOFĺ"RITISHĺNEO NOIRĺINĺTHISĺCONTEXTĺ"OTHĺ$IRTYĺ0RETTYĺ 4HINGSĺANDĺ#ROUPIERĺDIDĺWELLĺINĺTHEĺ!MERICANĺMARKETĺANDĺBOTHĺDIDĺLESSĺWELLĺINĺ THEĺ"RITISHĺMARKETĺ&ORĺBOTH ĺTHEĺPROBLEMSĺTHEYĺHADĺINĺTHEĺ"RITISHĺMARKETĺDERIVEĺ FROMĺ(OLLYWOODlSĺDOMINATIONĺ4HEĺLOGICĺOFĺFUTUREĺDEVELOPMENTĺWOULDĺAPPEARĺTOĺ BEĺCLEARĺ"RITISHĺNEO NOIR ĺASĺWITHĺEVERYĺOTHERĺSURVIVINGĺGENREĺINĺTHEĺREPERTOIREĺOFĺ "RITISHĺCINEMA ĺHASĺAĺFUTUREĺTOĺTHEĺEXTENTĺITĺCANĺBEĺMADEĺFORĺSUCCESSFULĺEXPORTĺ TOĺTHEĺ!MERICANĺMARKETĺUNDERĺGUIDELINESĺSTIPULATEDĺBYĺ(OLLYWOODĺCOMPANIESĺ *USTĺASĺDEVELOPINGĺCOUNTRIESĺüNDĺTHEMSELVESĺEXPORTINGĺSTAPLEĺFOODSTUFFSĺTOĺTHEĺ 7ESTĺINSTEADĺOFĺPROVIDINGĺSUCHĺGOODSĺFORĺTHEIRĺOWNĺPEOPLE ĺSOĺ"RITISHĺCINEMAĺ WILLĺBECOMEĺAĺCINEMAĺDESIGNEDĺFORĺEXPORTĺ/NEĺIMPORTANTĺCONDITIONĺFORĺAĺTHRIV INGĺüLMĺCULTURE ĺITSĺRELATIONSHIPĺTOĺAĺCONCRETEĺPLACEĺNATIONALĺCONTEXT ĺBECOMESĺ INCREASINGLYĺHOLLOWEDĺOUT ĺLEAVINGĺAĺREIüEDĺSHELLĺ4HEREĺMAYĺREMAINĺENOUGHĺDIF FERENTIATIONĺWITHINĺTHEĺSYSTEMĺANDĺCONTRADICTIONĺTOĺSUPPORTĺOCCASIONALĺüLMSĺLIKEĺ $IRTYĺ0RETTYĺ4HINGSĺORĺ#ROUPIERĺ"UTĺISĺTHATĺENOUGHĺ)FĺWEĺDOĺNOTĺREDISCOVERĺTHEĺ CRITICALĺIMPORTANCEĺOFĺTHEĺCONCEPTĺOFĺREIüCATION ĺWEĺAREĺLIKELYĺTOĺTHINKĺTHATĺITĺIS

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REFERENCES !MAGO ĺ3AMUELĺ ĺk7HYĺ3PANIARDSĺMAKEĺGOODĺBADĺGUYSĺ3ERGIĺ,ÊPEZĺANDĺTHEĺPER SISTENCEĺOFĺTHEĺBLACKĺLEGENDĺINĺCONTEMPORARYĺ%UROPEANĺCINEMAl ĺ&ILMĺ#RITICISM ĺ ĺ  ĺp "ENJAMIN ĺ7ALTERĺ ĺ4HEĺ!RCADESĺ0ROJECT ĺTRANSĺ(OWARDĺ%ILANDĺANDĺ+EVINĺ-C,AUGH LINĺ,ONDONĺ(ARVARDĺ5NIVERSITYĺ0RESS "OULD ĺ-ARKĺ ĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺ&ROMĺ"ERLINĺTOĺ3INĺ#ITYĺ,ONDONĺ7ALLČOWERĺ0RESS "OURNE ĺ"RENDANĺ ĺk"RITISHĺüLMĺČOPĺHITSĺ53ĺJACKPOTl ĺ3UNDAYĺ4IMES ĺĺ3EPTEMBER ĺ  $ARKE ĺ#HRISĺ ĺk&ILMĺm4HEĺONLYĺTHINGĺ)ĺLIKEĺAREĺTHEĺCREDITSnĺ4HEĺüRSTĺDISTRIBUTORĺOFĺ m#ROUPIERnĺWASNlTĺIMPRESSEDl ĺ)NDEPENDENTĺONĺ3UNDAY ĺĺ-AY ĺ&EATURES ĺ 'LEDHILL ĺ#HRISTINEĺĺ;= ĺk+LUTEĺĺ#ONTEMPORARYĺüLMĺNOIRĺANDĺFEMINISTĺCRITICISMl ĺINĺ %ĺ!NNĺ+APLANĺED ĺ7OMENĺINĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺ.EWĺ%DITIONĺ,ONDONĺ"RITISHĺ&ILMĺ)NSTITUTE ĺ p ,UCIA ĺ #YNTHIAĺ  ĺ k4HEĺ COMPLEXITIESĺ OFĺ CULTURALĺ CHANGEĺ!Nĺ INTERVIEWĺ WITHĺ 3TEPHENĺ &REARSl ĺ#INEASTE ĺ ĺ ĺp ,UK¸CS ĺ 'EORGĺ  ĺ (ISTORYĺ ANDĺ #LASSĺ #ONSCIOUSNESSĺ 3TUDIESĺ INĺ -ARXISTĺ $IALECTICS ĺ TRANSĺ2ODNEYĺ,IVINGSTONEĺ,ONDONĺ-ERLINĺ0RESS ????ĺĺ;= ĺk2EALISMĺINĺTHEĺBALANCEl ĺEDĺANDĺTRANSĺ2ONALDĺ4AYLOR ĺINĺ%RNSTĺ"LOCH ĺ 'EORGĺ,UK¸CS ĺ"ERTOLTĺ"RECHT ĺ7ALTERĺ"ENJAMINĺANDĺ4HEODORĺ!DORNO ĺ!ESTHETICSĺANDĺ 0OLITICSĺ,ONDONĺ6ERSO ĺp -ARX ĺ+ARLĺ ĺ%CONOMICĺANDĺ0HILOSOPHICĺ-ANUSCRIPTSĺOFĺ ĺTRANSĺ-ARTINĺ-ILLIGANĺ ANDĺ$IRKĺ*ĺ3TRUIKĺ,ONDONĺ,AWRENCEĺĺ7ISHART ????ĺ ĺ#APITAL ĺ6OLĺ ĺTRANSĺ3AMUELĺ-OOREĺANDĺ%DWARDĺ!VELINGĺ,ONDONĺ,AWRENCEĺ ĺ7ISHART -ILLER ĺ4OBY ĺ.ITINĺ'OVIL ĺ*OHNĺ-C-URRIA ĺ2ICHARDĺ-AXWELLĺANDĺ4INGĺ7ANGĺ ĺ'LOBALĺ (OLLYWOODĺĺ,ONDONĺ"RITISHĺ&ILMĺ)NSTITUTE -INTURN ĺ+ENTĺ ĺk0EINTUREĺNOIREĺ!BSTRACTĺ%XPRESSIONISMĺANDĺüLMĺNOIRl ĺINĺ!LAINĺ3ILVERĺ ANDĺ*AMESĺ5RSINIĺEDS ĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺ2EADERĺĺ.EWĺ9ORKĺ,IMELIGHT ĺpĺ .ATHAN ĺ)ANĺ ĺk"LAME SPOTTINGl ĺ4IMES ĺĺ*ULY ĺ&EATURESĺ4IMES ĺ 0LACE ĺ*ĺ!ĺANDĺ,ĺ3ĺ0ETERSONĺĺ;= ĺk3OMEĺVISUALĺMOTIFSĺOFĺüLMĺNOIRl ĺINĺ"ILLĺ.ICHOLSĺ ED ĺ-OVIESĺANDĺ-ETHODSĺ6OLUMEĺĺ!Nĺ!NTHOLOGYĺ,ONDONĺ5NIVERSITYĺOFĺ#ALIFORNIAĺ 0RESS ĺp 0LACE ĺ*ANEYĺĺ;= ĺk7OMENĺINĺüLMĺNOIRl ĺINĺ%ĺ!NNĺ+APLANĺED ĺ7OMENĺINĺ&ILMĺ .OIRĺ.EWĺ%DITIONĺ,ONDONĺ"RITISHĺ&ILMĺ)NSTITUTE ĺp 3CREENĺ )NTERNATIONALĺ A ĺ k)NTERNATIONALĺ BOXĺ OFüCEl ĺ 3CREENĺ )NTERNATIONAL ĺ  ĺ pĺ *ANUARY ĺ 3CREENĺ)NTERNATIONALĺB ĺk)NTERNATIONALĺBOXĺOFüCEl ĺ3CREENĺ)NTERNATIONAL ĺ ĺpĺ *ANUARY ĺĺANDĺ 5+ĺ&ILMĺ#OUNCILĺ ĺ3TATISTICALĺ9EARBOOKĺĺ,ONDONĺ5+ĺ&ILMĺ#OUNCIL

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10 Laughter in the Dark: Irony, Black Comedy and Noir in the Films of David Lynch, the Coen Brothers and Quentin Tarantino GREG TUCK

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Ill-gotten gain: Wild at Heart

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REFERENCES !RISTOTLEĺ ĺ0OETICS ĺTRANSĺ0RESTONĺ(ĺ%PPSĺ#HAPELĺ(ILLĺ5NIVERSITYĺOFĺ.ORTHĺ#AROLINAĺ 0RESS "AKHTIN ĺ -IKHAILĺ  ĺ 2ABELAISĺ ANDĺ (ISĺ7ORLD ĺ TRANSĺ (ÀLġNEĺ )SWOLSKYĺ "LOOMINGTONĺ )NDIANAĺ3TATEĺ0RESSĺ "ERGSON ĺ(ENRIĺ ĺ,AUGHTERĺĺ!Nĺ%SSAYĺONĺTHEĺ-EANINGĺOFĺTHEĺ#OMIC ĺTRANSĺ#LOUDS LEYĺ"RERETONĺANDĺ&REDĺ2OTHĺ,ONDONĺ-ACMILLAN "RETON ĺ!NDRÀĺĺ;= ĺk,IGHTNINGĺ2ODl ĺINĺ!NTHOLOGYĺOFĺ"LACKĺ(UMOR ĺTRANSĺ-ARKĺ 0OLIZZOTTIĺ3ANĺ&RANCISCOĺ#ITYĺ,IGHTSĺ"OOKS ĺXIIIpXIX #RITCHLEY ĺ3IMONĺ ĺ/Nĺ(UMOURĺ,ONDONĺ2OUTLEDGE &REUD ĺ3IGMUNDĺ ĺ*OKESĺANDĺ4HEIRĺ2ELATIONĺTOĺTHEĺ5NCONSCIOUSĺ,ONDONĺ0ENGUIN (ORTON ĺ!NDREWĺ ĺ#OMEDY#INEMA4HEORYĺ"ERKELEYĺ5NIVERSITYĺOFĺ#ALIFORNIAĺ0RESS *AMESON ĺ&REDRICĺ ĺ0OSTMODERNISMĺOR ĺ4HEĺ#ULTURALĺ,OGICĺOFĺ,ATEĺ#APITALISMĺ,ON DONĺ6ERSO +ING ĺ'EOFFĺ ĺ&ILMĺ#OMEDYĺ,ONDONĺ7ALLČOWERĺ0RESS +NIGHT ĺ $EBORAHĺ  ĺ k7HYĺ WEĺ ENJOYĺ CONDEMNINGĺ SENTIMENTALITYĺ !ĺ META AESTHETICĺ PERSPECTIVEl ĺ*OURNALĺOFĺ!ESTHETICSĺANDĺ!RTĺ#RITICISM ĺ ĺ ĺ!UTUMN ĺp .AREMORE ĺ*AMESĺ ĺ-OREĺTHANĺ.IGHTĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺINĺITSĺ#ONTEXTSĺ"ERKELEYĺ5NIVERSITYĺ OFĺ#ALIFORNIAĺ0RESS

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11 A Woman Scorned: The Neo-Noir Erotic Thriller as Revenge Drama LINDA RUTH WILLIAMS

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THEĺPOSSIBILITIESĺFORĺREADINGĺTHISĺCHARGEDĺVIOLENCEĺWITHĺOTHERĺPOLITICSĺINĺ!FFAIRSĺ OFĺTHEĺ(EART ĺ!LEXĺISĺ%VEĺ2UBINĺ7HATĺLOOKSĺSUSPICIOUSLYĺLIKEĺAĺRACIALĺSHIFTĺFROMĺ *EWĺ2UBIN ĺTOĺ7!30ĺ&ORREST ĺHASĺTHEĺEFFECTĺOFĺMAKINGĺHERĺAĺLESSĺkOTHEREDlĺMON STERĺFORĺWHITE BREADĺ53ĺCULTURE ĺRENDERINGĺTHEĺSTORYĺTHATĺOFĺ7!30ĺAGAINSTĺ7!30ĺ 4HEĺ IMPLIEDĺ kDERACINATIONlĺ OFĺ THESEĺ REWRITESĺ ISĺ ALSOĺ ACCOMPANIEDĺ BYĺ Aĺ GENDERĺ SHIFT ĺFROMĺ%VEĺTOĺ!LEXĺTHEĺORIGINALLY SINNINGĺWOMANĺ%VEĺHASĺBECOMEĺSOMEONEĺ WHOSEĺNAME ĺASĺWELLĺASĺWHOSEĺVIOLENCE ĺCONNOTESĺCRITICALĺGENDERĺAMBIGUITY 4WOĺKINDSĺOFĺREVENGEĺAREĺBEINGĺPLAYEDĺOUTĺINĺ&ATALĺ!TTRACTION ĺBYĺTWOĺDIF FERENTĺKINDSĺOFĺWOMENĺ0OPULARLY ĺ!LEXlSĺACTSĺOFĺVIOLENCEĺAGAINSTĺ$ANĺANDĺHISĺ FAMILYĺWEREĺSEENĺASĺTHEĺPRIMEĺLOCUSĺOFĺTHEĺüLMlSĺAGGRESSIONĺ!LEXĺCOMBINESĺ THEĺPITIABLEĺSTEREOTYPESĺOFĺSEXUALLYĺDESPERATEĺCAREERĺWOMANĺANDĺLONELYĺSPIN STER ĺANDĺTHEĺDOMINANTĺREADINGĺHASĺGIVENĺTHATĺBECAUSEĺSHEĺHASĺNOĺPLACEĺINĺTHEĺ NUCLEARĺFAMILYĺWHICHĺHASĺSCORNEDĺHER ĺSHEĺMUSTĺDESTROYĺITĺ9ETĺHERĺWORDSĺCUTĺ STRONGLYĺ AGAINSTĺ THEĺ IMAGEĺ OFĺ PATHOSĺ SHEĺ OTHERWISEĺ PRESENTSĺ k)ĺ WONlTĺ ALLOWĺ YOUĺTOĺTREATĺMEĺLIKEĺSOMEĺSLUTĺYOUĺCANĺJUSTĺBANGĺAĺFEWĺTIMESĺTHENĺTHROWĺINĺTHEĺ GARBAGE lĺSHEĺSAYSĺ)TĺISĺTESTAMENTĺTOĺTHEĺPOWERĺOFĺPOINTĺOFĺVIEWĺINĺ(OLLYWOODĺ NARRATIVEĺORĺTOĺTHEĺAUDIENCElSĺPREVAILINGĺSEXISM ĺTHATĺTHISĺAPPEALĺTOĺNATURALĺJUS TICEĺHARDLYĺSHIFTSĺSYMPATHYĺAWAYĺFROMĺTHEĺ'ALLAGHERSĺANDĺTOWARDSĺ!LEXĺ(OW EVERĺSENSIBLEĺHERĺPOSITIONĺISĺk9OUĺTHOUGHTĺTHATĺYOUĺCOULDĺJUSTĺWALKĺINTOĺMYĺLIFEĺ ANDĺTURNĺITĺUPSIDE DOWNĺWITHOUTĺAĺTHOUGHTĺFORĺANYONEĺBUTĺYOURSELFl ĺWEĺAREĺSOĺ SUTUREDĺINTOĺOURĺALLEGIANCEĺTOĺ$ANlSĺPERSPECTIVEĺTHATĺFEELINGĺANYĺKINDĺOFĺSYMPA THYĺFORĺkTHEĺBITCHlĺWOULDĺBEĺREADINGĺVERYĺHARDĺAGAINSTĺTHEĺGRAINĺOFĺTHEĺüLMĺ3ETĺ AGAINSTĺ!LEXĺISĺ"ETH ĺTHEĺGOODĺWIFEĺWHOĺüNALLYĺPICKSĺUPĺHERĺGUNĺANDĺDISPATCHESĺ HERĺRIVALĺ)Fĺ!LEXĺISĺASĺMUCHĺMASOCHISTICĺASĺSADISTIC ĺ"ETHĺLEARNSĺTOĺSUPPLEMENTĺ NURTURINGĺWITHĺVENGEANCEĺ53ĺPREVIEWĺAUDIENCESĺDEMANDEDĺTHATĺITĺWASĺ"ETHĺ WHOĺSLAYSĺHERĺRIVAL ĺIMBUINGĺTHEĺüNALĺSEQUENCEĺWITHĺTHEĺAURAĺOFĺAĺCATüGHTĺ )FĺüLMĺNOIRĺISĺPREDICATEDĺONĺABSENTĺFAMILIES ĺTHEĺEROTICĺTHRILLERĺOFTENĺDRAMATIS ESĺTHEIRĺTHREATENEDĺERADICATIONĺ!NĺEMBLEMĺFORĺTHISĺMIGHTĺCOMEĺFROMĺ-ELISSAlSĺ FAMILYĺPHOTOGRAPHĺINĺ-ALICIOUS ĺINĺWHICHĺALLĺTHEĺFACESĺAREĺSCRUBBEDĺOUTĺAĺKNOW INGĺ COUNTERPOINT ĺ PERHAPS ĺ TOĺ &ATALĺ !TTRACTIONlSĺ CLOSINGĺ PHOTOGRAPHICĺ IMAGE ĺ 4HEĺNEO NOIRĺEROTICĺTHRILLERĺTHEREFOREĺNEEDSĺTHEĺFAMILYĺASĺMUCHĺASĺITĺISĺDESPERATEĺ TOĺESCAPEĺITĺ4HISĺISĺEVENĺTRUEĺOFĺ"ASICĺ)NSTINCT ĺAĺüLMĺWHOSEĺBASICĺ mythology is the antithesis of family ideology, though it is near kin to Greek mythology or to Freud’s: the family slayer becomes the ideal lover. Catherine has of course lost her entire family in a mysterious accident. Her female lovers have variously misplaced theirs. Nick [Michael Douglas] himself survives in the last scene when he renounces his wish to ‘raise rug rats’. (Wood 1993: 50) &ORĺkLOSTlĺANDĺkMISPLACEDlĺHEREĺOFĺCOURSEĺREADĺkKILLEDlĺpĺTHISĺISĺWHEREĺTHEĺEROTICĺ THRILLERĺSEGUESĺINTOĺTHEĺREVENGEĺDRAMA ĺTHOUGHĺTHEĺGENRElSĺMATRICIDAL ĺFRATRICIDAL ĺ PATRICIDALĺWOMENĺAREĺGIVENĺTOĺDOĺITĺMOSTLYĺFORĺSCORNlSĺSAKEĺ#ATHERINEĺHAS ĺOFĺ

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COURSE ĺALSOĺINHERITEDĺTHEĺFAMILYĺFORTUNE ĺ4HEĺBESTĺ#ATHERINElSĺLOVER ĺ.ICK ĺCANĺ DOĺISĺTAKEĺTHEĺCONTRACEPTIVEĺWAYĺOUTĺANDĺINSUREĺTHATĺHEĺISĺNOTĺAĺGENERATORĺOFĺ FAMILYĺ#ATHERINE ĺARGUESĺ7OOD ĺHASĺWIPEDĺOUTĺHERĺPARENTSĺINĺORDERĺTOĺPROVEĺTHATĺ SHEĺISĺHERĺOWNĺGENERATION ĺkSELF CONTAINEDĺANDĺEVENĺSELF REPLICATINGlĺIBID ĺ !LEXĺ&ORRESTĺANDĺ#ATHERINEĺ4RAMELLĺAREĺBOTHĺCONTEMPORARYĺFORMATIONSĺOFĺTHEĺ FEMMEĺFATALE ĺBUTĺTHEYĺAREĺTRAVELLINGĺINĺOPPOSITEĺDIRECTIONSĺREGARDINGĺDOMESTIC ITYĺ(AVINGĺREVEALEDĺTHATĺSHEĺISĺPREGNANTĺWITHĺ$ANlSĺCHILD ĺ!LEXĺTELLSĺHIMĺTHATĺTHEĺ YEARĺBEFOREĺSHEĺHADĺUNDERGONEĺAĺBADĺMISCARRIAGEĺ4HEĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺISĺTHERE FOREĺALREADYĺINĺTHEĺBUSINESSĺOFĺSETTINGĺUPĺAĺSINGLEĺPARENTĺFAMILYĺSO ĺALTHOUGHĺ SHEĺUSESĺ$ANlSĺNUCLEARĺFAMILYĺASĺTHEĺMOSTĺEFFECTIVEĺLEVERĺAGAINSTĺHIM ĺSHEĺISĺ NOTĺANĺENTIRELYĺDOMESTICALLYĺEXCLUDEDĺORĺOPPOSEDĺüGUREĺ%VENĺHERĺAPPARENTLYĺ SUPERNATURALĺRELENTLESSNESS ĺWHICHĺENABLESĺHERĺTOĺJUSTĺKEEPĺONĺCOMINGĺLIKEĺAĺ NIGHTMARE PURSUER ĺISĺEDGEDĺWITHĺJUSTIüCATIONĺk.O ĺITlSĺNOTĺGONNAĺSTOP ĺITlSĺGON NAĺGOĺONĺANDĺONĺUNTILĺYOUĺFACEĺUPĺTOĺYOURĺRESPONSIBILITIESlĺ3O ĺONEĺSPECTACULARĺ MOMENTĺOFĺFAMILIALĺVOYEURISM ĺINĺWHICHĺ!LEXĺPEEPSĺINĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺWINDOWSĺOFĺ THEĺ'ALLAGHERlSĺLIFE ĺCANĺBEĺREADĺINĺATĺLEASTĺTWOĺWAYSĺ(AVINGĺWITNESSEDĺAĺMO MENTĺOFĺPRIVATEĺINTIMACYĺTHEĺHANDINGĺOVERĺOFĺTHEĺDOOMEDĺRABBIT ĺSHEĺTURNSĺANDĺ VOMITS ĺMAGNIüCENTLY ĺINTOĺTHEĺBUSHESĺ)SĺTHISĺDOMESTICĺREPULSIONĺORĺMORNINGĺ SICKNESSĺ)SĺVOMITĺAĺSYMPTOMĺOFĺTHEĺFAMILYĺGROWINGĺINSIDEĺ!LEX ĺORĺANĺEXTRAVA GANTĺREJECTIONĺOFĺITSĺSICKLYĺMANIFESTATION #LEARLY ĺ&ATALĺ!TTRACTIONĺSETĺSOMEĺRICHĺCULTURALĺANDĺSEXUALĺFORMATIONSĺINĺMO TIONĺ)FĺITĺPROVIDESĺAĺPERNICIOUSĺVIEWĺOFĺTHEĺREVENGINGĺWOMANĺFORĺAĺMASSĺAUDI ENCE ĺ$46ĺ&ATALĺ!TTRACTIONĺCLONESĺHAVEĺPRESENTEDĺMUCHĺSTRONGERĺFEMMEĺFATALESĺ WHOĺSOMETIMESĺGETĺAWAYĺWITHĺITĺ4HEREĺISĺALSOĺOFTENĺAĺKNOWINGNESSĺATĺPLAYĺASĺ THESEĺCHEAPERĺüLMSĺREFERENCEĺ,YNElSĺTEXTĺASĺSOURCEĺFODDERĺ)NĺAĺNOIRISHĺSCENEĺINĺ 3CORNEDĺĺ ĺpĺTHEĺSEQUELĺTOĺ!ĺ7OMANĺ3CORNEDĺpĺAĺYOUNGĺWOMANĺREJECTEDĺ

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THE NEO-NOIR EROTIC THRILLER AS REVENGE DRAMA

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176

NEO-NOIR

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THE NEO-NOIR EROTIC THRILLER AS REVENGE DRAMA

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Temp fatale: The Temp

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THE NEO-NOIR EROTIC THRILLER AS REVENGE DRAMA

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Teen fatale: Hard Candy

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12 Neo-Noir’s Fatal Woman: Stardom, Survival and Sharon Stone REBECCA FEASEY

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A star is born: Basic Instinct

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Stardom 3INCEĺTHEĺEMERGENCEĺOFĺTHEĺSTARĺSYSTEM ĺ(OLLYWOODĺHASĺBEENĺKEENĺTOĺBLURĺTHEĺ DISTINCTIONĺBETWEENĺkREALlĺANDĺkREELlĺSTARĺIMAGESĺTHROUGHĺAĺRANGEĺOFĺPROMOTION ĺ PUBLICITYĺ ANDĺ REVIEWĺ MATERIALSĺ7HILEĺ PROMOTIONĺ ANDĺ PUBLICITYĺ REFERĺ TOĺ THOSEĺ

STARDOM, SURVIVAL AND SHARON STONE

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(OWEVER ĺ ALTHOUGHĺ 3TONEĺ WASĺ SUCCESSFULĺ INĺ BLURRINGĺ THEĺ BOUNDARIESĺ BE TWEENĺROLEĺANDĺSTAR ĺSHEĺSEEMEDĺUNABLEĺTOĺSECUREĺCRITICALĺACCLAIMĺFORĺHERĺPER FORMANCEĺINĺ"ASICĺ)NSTINCTĺ!FTERĺALL ĺHERĺPOPULARITYĺINĺTHEĺROLEĺWASĺSEENĺTOĺBEĺ ENTIRELYĺDEPENDENTĺONĺWHATĺ"ARRYĺ+INGĺHASĺTERMEDĺPERSONIüCATION ĺWHEREBYĺAĺ PERFORMERĺISĺASSUMEDĺTOĺBEĺPLAYINGĺTHEMSELVESĺONSCREEN ĺREQUIRINGĺLITTLEĺORĺNOĺ ACTINGĺSKILLĺSEEĺĺp ĺ)NDEED ĺITĺISĺPERHAPSĺDUEĺTOĺTHESEĺCHARGESĺOFĺ POORĺACTINGĺTHATĺ3TONEĺWENTĺONĺTOĺNEGOTIATEĺHERĺPREDATORYĺIMAGEĺANDĺSEPARATEĺ HERSELFĺFROMĺTHEĺSEXUALLYĺEXPLICITĺROLEĺOFĺ#ATHERINEĺ!SĺFARĺBACKĺASĺ ĺ3TONEĺ WASĺHEARDĺCOMMENTINGĺONĺHERĺDESIREĺTOĺPUTĺSOMEĺDISTANCEĺBETWEENĺHERSELFĺ ANDĺTHEĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺPERSONA ĺSTATINGĺTHATĺkJUSTĺBECAUSEĺ)ĺGOTĺFAMOUSĺFORĺ"ASICĺ )NSTINCTĺDOESNlTĺMEANĺITlSĺTHEĺONLYĺTRICKĺINĺMYĺBAGĺaĺ)ĺAMĺSICKĺOFĺTHAT ĺSICKĺOFĺ #ATHERINEĺ4RAMELLĺaĺ3HEĺISĺINĺMYĺPASTĺaĺ)ĺWANTĺTOĺEXPLOREĺOTHERĺAVENUESĺASĺ ANĺARTISTlĺINĺ!NDREWSĺĺ ĺ4HEĺACTRESSĺEVENĺWENTĺSOĺFARĺASĺTOĺLAUGHĺOFFĺ THEĺ POSSIBILITYĺ OFĺ Aĺ "ASICĺ )NSTINCTĺ SEQUEL ĺ INFORMINGĺ AUDIENCESĺ THATĺ REPRISINGĺ THEĺSEXUALLYĺEXPLICITĺROLEĺkWOULDĺBEĺSTUNTĺPAYĺaĺATĺMYĺAGElĺINĺ$AWSONĺĺ  ĺ )NSTEAD ĺ 3TONEĺ WENTĺ ONĺ TOĺ APPEARĺ INĺ Aĺ RANGEĺ OFĺ üLMSĺ FARĺ REMOVEDĺ FROMĺ THEĺNEO NOIRĺGENRE ĺINCLUDINGĺTHEĺWESTERNĺ4HEĺ1UICKĺANDĺTHEĺ$EADĺ ĺTHEĺ DEATH ROWĺ WEEPIEĺ ,ASTĺ $ANCEĺ  ĺ THEĺ SCIENCEĺ üCTIONĺ üLMĺ 3PHEREĺ  ĺ ANDĺ THEĺ COMEDYĺ "EAUTIFULĺ *OEĺ  ĺ (OWEVER ĺ WHENĺ THESEĺ üLMSĺ FAILEDĺ TOĺ PROVIDEĺEITHERĺCOMMERCIALĺORĺCRITICALĺSUCCESS ĺTHEĺACTRESSĺWASĺSOONĺSEENĺTOĺRE EVALUATEĺHERĺRELATIONSHIPĺWITHĺTHEĺROLEĺTHATĺMADEĺHERĺFAMOUSĺ/R ĺTOĺPUTĺITĺMOREĺ BLUNTLY ĺAFTERĺAĺSTRINGĺOFĺFAILURESĺATĺTHEĺBOXĺOFüCEĺ3TONEĺUSEDĺTHEĺ"ASICĺ)NSTINCTĺ SEQUELĺASĺAĺWAYĺTOĺRECREATEĺHERĺSEXUALĺSTARĺIMAGEĺANDĺTHEREFOREĺTRYĺTOĺREVIVEĺ HERĺČOUNDERINGĺCAREERĺ

Basic Instinct 2 )NĺEARLYĺ ĺ3TONEĺSHOWEDĺINTERESTĺINĺREPRISINGĺTHEĺPARTĺOFĺ#ATHERINEĺINĺAĺ"ASICĺ )NSTINCTĺSEQUEL ĺCOMMENTINGĺTHATĺSHEĺWASĺkREADY ĺWILLINGĺANDĺABLEĺTOĺPLAYĺTHEĺ ROLElĺINĺQUESTIONĺINĺ!NONĺA ĺ(OWEVER ĺALTHOUGHĺTHEĺACTRESSĺWASĺKEENĺTOĺ RETURNĺTOĺTHEĺPARTĺTHATĺMADEĺHERĺFAMOUS ĺBYĺLATEĺĺITĺAPPEAREDĺASĺIFĺ"ASICĺ )NSTINCTĺĺWOULDĺNOTĺBEĺGOINGĺINTOĺPRODUCTIONĺ3TONElSĺORIGINALĺCO STAR ĺ-ICHAELĺ $OUGLAS ĺ TURNEDĺ DOWNĺ THEĺ OFFERĺ TOĺ STARĺ INĺ THEĺ üLMĺ SEEĺ 3HERIDANĺ ĺ  ĺ -'-ĺSTRUGGLEDĺTOĺüNDĺAĺLEADINGĺMANĺTOĺSUPPORTĺ3TONEĺIBID ĺANDĺTHEĺSTUDIOĺ FAILEDĺTOĺüNDĺANĺESTABLISHEDĺDIRECTORĺWHOĺWOULDĺAGREEĺTOĺTAKEĺONĺTHEĺCONTRO VERSIALĺPRODUCTIONĺSEEĺ!NONĺB ĺ0ERHAPSĺUNSURPRISINGLY ĺTHEĺCOMMENTAR IESĺREGARDINGĺTHEĺDELAYĺINĺPRODUCTIONĺAIMĺTOĺBLURĺTHEĺBOUNDARIESĺBETWEENĺTHEĺ PREDATORYĺROLEĺOFĺ#ATHERINEĺANDĺ3TONEĺOFFSCREENĺ&ORĺEXAMPLE ĺREVIEWĺMEDIAĺ COMMENTEDĺ THATĺ -ICHAELĺ $OUGLASĺ DECLINEDĺ THEĺ JOBĺ BECAUSEĺ kHISĺ BRIDE ĺ #ATH ERINEĺ:ETA *ONES ĺWOULDĺNOTĺBEĺHAPPYĺIFĺHEĺTRIEDĺTOĺGETĺNAKEDĺWITHĺ3TONEĺaĺ AGAINlĺ IBID ĺ ,IKEWISE ĺ WEĺ AREĺ TOLDĺ THATĺ 0IERCEĺ "ROSNANĺ WASĺ APPROACHEDĺ FORĺ THEĺROLE ĺBUTĺTHATĺkHEĺSAIDĺHElDĺRATHERĺKEEPĺHISĺLICENCEĺTOĺKILL ĺTHANĺBEĺKILLEDĺBYĺ

194

NEO-NOIR

3TONElĺIBID ĺ4HEĺACTORSĺINĺQUESTIONĺAREĺCONFOUNDINGĺTHEĺPREDATORYĺNATUREĺOFĺ THEĺROLEĺWITHĺTHEĺTRAITSĺANDĺMANNERISMSĺOFĺTHEĺSTARĺINĺQUESTIONĺ7HATĺ)ĺMEANĺ BYĺTHISĺISĺTHATĺ"ROSNANĺWOULDĺNOTĺBEĺKILLEDĺBYĺTHEĺACTRESSĺHISĺCHARACTERĺWOULDĺ BEĺKILLEDĺBYĺ3TONElSĺPORTRAYALĺOF ĺ#ATHERINEĺ,IKEWISE ĺALTHOUGHĺ$OUGLASĺWOULDĺ BEĺNAKEDĺWITHĺ3TONE ĺANYĺSEXUALĺGYMNASTICSĺWOULDĺSIMPLYĺBEĺAĺPROFESSIONALLYĺ CHOREOGRAPHEDĺPERFORMANCEĺBYĺTHEĺPAIR (OWEVER ĺ AFTERĺ SEVERALĺ YEARSĺ OFĺ PRE PRODUCTION ĺ THEĺ MUCH AWAITEDĺ SEQUELĺ WASĺRELEASEDĺ)Nĺ"ASICĺ)NSTINCTĺ ĺWEĺSEEĺ#ATHERINEĺARRESTEDĺFORĺTHEĺMURDERĺOFĺ HERĺLOVERĺ!ĺCRIMINALĺPSYCHIATRIST ĺ$Rĺ-ICHAELĺ'LASSĺ$AVIDĺ-ORRISSEY ĺISĺBROUGHTĺ INĺBYĺTHEĺPOLICEĺTOĺEVALUATEĺTHEĺMENTALĺSTATEĺOFĺTHEĺSUSPECTĺ'LASSĺDIAGNOSESĺ #ATHERINEĺWITHĺAĺPOTENTIALLYĺFATALĺkRISKĺADDICTIONlĺBEFOREĺEMBARKINGĺONĺAĺPROFES SIONALĺANDĺSEXUALĺRELATIONSHIPĺWITHĺHERĺ2EVIEWĺMEDIAĺCONTINUEĺTOĺBLURĺDISTINC TIONSĺBETWEENĺROLEĺANDĺSTAR ĺIRRESPECTIVEĺOFĺTHEĺTIMEĺSPANĺANDĺ3TONElSĺALTERNA TIVEĺPERFORMANCESĺBETWEENĺTHEĺTWOĺNEO NOIRĺTEXTSĺ&ORĺEXAMPLE ĺWEĺAREĺTOLDĺ THATĺkONĺSCREENĺANDĺOFF ĺ3HARONĺREALLYĺISĺTHEĺBALL BUSTINGĺDIVAĺTHATĺWEĺKNOWĺANDĺ LOVElĺ!NONĺĺ ĺANDĺTHATĺk3TONEĺISĺSTILLĺTHEĺPERFECTĺFEMMEĺFATALElĺ4OPELĺ  ĺ,IKEWISE ĺITĺISĺ3TONEĺNOTĺ#ATHERINEĺWHOĺISĺPOSITIONEDĺASĺTHEĺPREDATORYĺ üGUREĺWHENĺWEĺAREĺTOLDĺTHATĺk3TONEĺRETURNSĺaĺANĺOLDERĺFEMMEĺBUTĺASĺFATALEĺ ASĺEVERlĺ$ARGISĺ ĺ-OREOVER ĺWHENĺONEĺREVIEWERĺCOMMENTSĺTHATĺkTHERElSĺ NOĺDENYINGĺHOWĺGOODĺSHEĺSTILLĺISĺATĺBEINGĺREALLY ĺREALLYĺBADlĺITĺISĺUNCLEARĺASĺTOĺ WHETHERĺWEĺAREĺBEINGĺTOLDĺABOUTĺTHEĺTRAITSĺOFĺTHEĺROLEĺORĺSTARĺ,ODERĺ  %ITHERĺWAY ĺITĺISĺCLEARĺTHATĺTHEĺMODERN DAYĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺGOESĺFURTHERĺTOĺEX PLOITĺHERĺSEXUALĺPOWERSĺTHANĺHERĺFATALĺPREDECESSORSĺ4HEĺSEXUALITYĺOFĺTHEĺSĺ FEMMEĺFATALEĺWASĺRELATIVELYĺkPASSIVElĺSEXUALĺDESIREĺANDĺITSĺPROMISEĺOFĺPLEASUREĺ BELONGEDĺ TOĺ THEĺ MALEĺ ANDĺ THEĺ FEMMEĺ FATALEĺ WASĺ USUALLYĺ MOREĺ INTERESTEDĺ INĺ MONEYĺ THANĺ SEXĺ "ECAUSEĺ THEĺ POSTWARĺ PERIODĺ WASĺ ANXIOUSĺ TOĺ MAINTAINĺ THEĺ NUCLEARĺ FAMILYĺ UNIT ĺ REPRESSĺ FEMALEĺ SEXUALITYĺ ANDĺ POSITIONĺ WOMENĺ ASĺ SUBUR BANĺHOUSEWIVES ĺMOTHERSĺANDĺHOMEMAKERS ĺTHESEĺORIGINALĺNOIRĺTEXTSĺSOUGHTĺTOĺ PUNISHĺTHEĺPREDATORYĺSPIDERĺWOMANĺFORĺHERĺSOCIALĺANDĺSEXUALĺTRANSGRESSIONSĺ !LTERNATIVELY ĺ THEĺ CONTEMPORARYĺ PERIODĺ HASĺ POSITIVELYĺ EMBRACEDĺ ANDĺ ENCOUR AGEDĺ FEMALEĺ SEXUALĺ DESIRE ĺ WITHĺ THEĺ Sĺ WITNESSINGĺ THEĺ FEMIDOMĺ FEMALEĺ CONTRACEPTIVE ĺTHEĺCONTROVERSIALĺABORTIONĺPILL ĺANĺINCREASINGĺDISPLAYĺOFĺSEXĺANDĺ SEXUALITYĺINĺTHEĺMASSĺMEDIAĺANDĺTHEĺGROWINGĺHOMEĺVIDEOĺMARKETĺFORĺHETERO SEXUALĺkCOUPLESlĺPORNOGRAPHYĺSEEĺ!USTINĺĺ ĺ)NĺORDERĺTOĺMAINTAINĺSOCIALĺ MEANINGĺ ANDĺ SEXUALĺ RELEVANCEĺ FORĺ THEĺ CONTEMPORARYĺ AUDIENCE ĺ NEO NOIRĺ PRO DUCTIONSĺ APPEARĺ KEENĺ TOĺ PRESENTĺ THEĺ AGGRESSIVEĺ SEXUALĺ POWERĺ ANDĺ PLEASUREĺ OFĺ THEĺ FEMMEĺ FATALEĺ )NDEED ĺ BECAUSEĺ THESEĺ SPIDERĺ WOMENĺ kKEEPĺ OPENĺ THEĺ BEDROOMĺDOORĺWHICHĺWASĺüRMLYĺCLOSEDĺBYĺTHEĺPRODUCTIONĺCODESĺSURROUNDINGĺ CLASSICĺ NOIRlĺ THEYĺ HAVEĺ GAINEDĺ THEMSELVESĺ Aĺ REPUTATIONĺ ASĺ kORGASMICĺ FEMMEĺ FATALESlĺ3TRAAYERĺĺ  2ATHERĺTHANĺCRITIQUEĺNEO NOIRĺTEXTSĺORĺCONDEMNĺREVIEWĺMEDIAĺFORĺCIRCULAT INGĺAĺMISOGYNISTICĺIMAGEĺOFĺFEMALEĺPOWERĺBASEDĺONĺSEXUALĺPERFORMANCE ĺITĺISĺ

STARDOM, SURVIVAL AND SHARON STONE

195

Survival of the fittest: Basic Instinct 2

WORTHĺNOTINGĺTHATĺSOMEĺFEMINISTĺANDĺPOST FEMINISTĺCRITICSĺHAVEĺBEENĺSEENĺTOĺ APPLAUDĺFEMALEĺSEXUALĺPERFORMANCESĺASĺEMPOWEREDĺIMAGESĺOFĺMODERNĺWOM ANHOODĺ &ORĺ EXAMPLE ĺ WEĺ AREĺ TOLDĺ THATĺ k"ASICĺ )NSTINCTĺ aĺ POINTSĺ UPĺ WOMENlSĺ DOMINANCEĺ INĺ THEĺ SEXUALĺ REALMlĺ #AMILLEĺ 0AGLIAĺ CITEDĺ INĺ #HAUDHURIĺ ĺ  ĺ ANDĺTHATĺITĺISĺACTUALLYĺ#ATHERINElSĺkTORNADO LIKE SEXUALĺDESIRElĺTHATĺENDEARSĺHERĺ TOĺTHEĺWOMENĺINĺTHEĺAUDIENCEĺ&RANCKEĺĺ ĺ)NDEED ĺRECENTĺWRITINGĺTELLSĺ USĺTHATĺTHEĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺkISĺTHEĺHUNTERĺaĺWHOĺTAKESĺCONTROLĺaĺWHOĺMAKESĺTHEĺ üRSTĺMOVEĺASĺSEXUALĺPREDATORlĺ"AUMGOLDĺĺ ĺANDĺTHATĺITĺISĺSHEĺWHOĺkDE MANDSĺSEXUALĺSATISFACTIONlĺ3TRAAYERĺĺ ĺ)NĺTHISĺWAY ĺ#ATHERINElSĺkDISPLAYĺ OFĺPOWER ĺHOWEVERĺDEPRAVEDĺANDĺUNMOTIVATEDlĺISĺSAIDĺTOĺOFFERĺkAĺNEWĺVERSIONĺ ALBEITĺWARPED ĺOFĺFEMALEĺEMPOWERMENTlĺ2ICHĺĺ ĺ7ITHĺTHISĺINĺMIND ĺONEĺ MIGHTĺ LOOKĺ TOĺ CONGRATULATEĺ MODERNĺ NOIRĺ TEXTSĺ FORĺ ALLOWINGĺ THEĺ DEADLYĺ SPIDERĺ WOMANĺ TOĺ SURVIVEĺ THEĺ üLMĺ ANDĺ ESCAPEĺ PUNISHMENTĺ FORĺ HERĺ POTENTĺ SEXUALITYĺ (OWEVER ĺ ONEĺ MIGHTĺ ALSOĺ SUGGESTĺ THATĺ ALLOWINGĺ THEĺ FEMMEĺ FATALEĺ TOĺ SURVIVEĺ ANDĺTHEREFOREĺAGEĺISĺSIMPLYĺANĺALTERNATIVEĺWAYĺTOĺPUNISHĺTHEĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺpĺASĺ BOTHĺCHARACTERĺANDĺSTARĺ 3TONEĺ REPRISEDĺ THEĺ ROLEĺ OFĺ #ATHERINEĺ SOMEĺ ĺ YEARSĺ AFTERĺ THEĺ RELEASEĺ OFĺ THEĺ ORIGINALĺ "ASICĺ )NSTINCTĺ AND ĺ OBVIOUSLY ĺ THEĺ ACTRESSĺ HASĺ BEENĺ SEENĺ TOĺ AGEĺ DURINGĺ THATĺ TIMEĺ "ECAUSEĺ THEĺ NOIRĺ MOVEMENTĺ HASĺ SOĺ RARELYĺ SEENĺ ANĺ ACTRESSĺ REVISITĺAĺFATALEĺROLE ĺCRITICSĺANDĺCOMMENTATORSĺSEEMEDĺUNACCUSTOMEDĺTOĺAĺFORTY SOMETHINGĺWOMANĺDEPICTINGĺTHEĺDEADLYĺBLACKĺWIDOWĺ)NDEED ĺALTHOUGHĺAĺSMALLĺ NUMBERĺOFĺPUBLICATIONSĺPRAISEDĺTHEĺüLMĺFORĺUSINGĺkANĺACTRESSĺINĺHERĺFORTIESĺTOĺ PLAYĺTHEĺFEMMEĺFATALElĺ(ENNIGANĺĺ ĺMUCHĺNEWSĺANDĺMAGAZINEĺMEDIAĺ FORMEDĺAĺCONSENSUSĺASĺTHEYĺCRITIQUEDĺTHEĺAGEINGĺSTARĺINĺAĺSEXUALĺROLE ĺREMIND INGĺ USĺ THATĺ kSEXPOTSĺ AGEĺ FASTĺ INĺ (OLLYWOODlĺ 'LAISTERĺ  ĺ7Eĺ AREĺ TOLDĺ THATĺ kTHEĺNIGHTĺLIGHTINGĺMAKESĺ;3TONE=ĺLOOKĺČAWLESS ĺALTHOUGHĺINĺDAYLIGHTĺSHOTSĺHERĺ EYELINERĺGOESĺALLĺTHEĺWAYĺTOĺHERĺNOSElĺ4OPELĺ ĺANDĺTHATĺk3TONEĺISĺTOOĺOLDĺ FORĺTHEĺPARTĺOFĺSEXUALĺMAGNETlĺ)-$BĺUSERĺCOMMENTĺ ĺ!LTERNATIVELY ĺTHOSEĺ REVIEWERSĺWHOĺWEREĺSURPRISEDĺATĺ3TONElSĺYOUTHFULĺAPPEARANCEĺWENTĺONĺTOĺMOCKĺ

196

NEO-NOIR

HERĺLACKĺOFĺEXPRESSIVENESSĺINĺTHEĺROLEĺASĺAĺWAYĺOFĺHINTINGĺATĺANDĺDERIDINGĺPLASTICĺ SURGERYĺ7EĺAREĺTOLDĺTHATĺkTHEĺACTRESSĺRETAINSĺTHEĺSAMEĺLUCIDĺGAZEĺANDĺWHIPPET THINĺBODY ĺBUTĺINĺTHISĺüLMĺHERĺFACEĺLOOKSĺSTRANGELYĺINERTlĺ$ARGISĺ ĺANDĺTHATĺ SHEĺ kRETURNS ĺ ATĺ  ĺ WITHĺ Aĺ PERFORMANCEĺ THATĺ LENDSĺ NEWĺ MEANINGĺ TOĺm3TONE FACEDnĺaĺHERĺWORKĺHEREĺCONSTITUTESĺANĺEERIEĺTOURĺDEĺFORCEĺOFĺMUSCLEĺCONTROLĺpĺAĺ WEIRDLYĺ MINIMALISTĺ FORMĺ OFĺ MUGGINGlĺ ,IMĺ  ĺ ,IKEWISE ĺ ANOTHERĺ REVIEWERĺ ASKS ĺRATHERĺBLUNTLY ĺk7HATlSĺUPĺWITHĺHERĺFOREHEADlĺBEFOREĺTELLINGĺUS ĺk)TlSĺLIKEĺANĺ ICEĺPONDĺNOWlĺ0HILLIPSĺ ĺ)NĺSHORT ĺWEĺAREĺTOLDĺTHATĺk3TONEĺISĺTOOĺOLDĺTOĺPLAYĺ #ATHERINEĺ4RAMELLlĺ'ERADINĺ ĺEVENĺTHOUGHĺTHISĺSTARĺCARRIESĺTHEĺFACE ĺVOICEĺ ANDĺSTYLEĺOFĺTHEĺDANGEROUSĺSPIDERĺWOMANĺINĺQUESTIONĺ )NDEED ĺEVENĺTHOUGHĺWEĺAREĺINFORMEDĺTHATĺ3TONEĺISĺkTHEĺLIFEBLOODlĺOFĺTHEĺ"A SICĺ)NSTINCTĺFRANCHISEĺANDĺTHATĺTHEĺkSEQUELĺHASĺALWAYSĺDEPENDEDĺONĺ;HER=ĺPRES ENCEĺINĺTHEĺROLElĺOFĺ#ATHERINEĺ7ILLIAMSĺĺ ĺITĺISĺNOWĺCLEARĺTHATĺALTHOUGHĺ THEĺ FANTASYĺ OFĺ 3TONEĺ ISĺ WELCOMEĺ INĺ THEĺ NEO NOIRĺ GENRE ĺ THEĺ AGEINGĺ REALITYĺ ISĺ FOUNDĺWANTINGĺ4HEREFORE ĺIFĺWEĺCONSIDERĺTHATĺTHEĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺOFFERSĺWOMENĺ THEĺRAREĺCHANCEĺTOĺBEĺBOTHĺSEDUCTIVEĺANDĺPOWERFULĺONSCREEN ĺANDĺTHATĺ3TONEĺISĺ NOWĺSEENĺTOĺBEĺTOOĺOLDĺTOĺPLAYĺTHEĺPREDATORYĺFEMME ĺWEĺSOONĺBECOMEĺAWAREĺ OFĺTHEĺLIMITATIONSĺOFĺFEMALEĺSEXUALĺPOWERĺFORĺBOTHĺCHARACTERĺANDĺSTARĺ!SĺSUCH ĺ THEĺPRESENTATIONĺOFĺTHEĺAGEINGĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺCANĺBEĺUNDERSTOODĺASĺAĺFORMĺOFĺ PUNISHMENTĺTHOSEĺWHOĺSEEĺTHEĺTRUEĺAGEĺOFĺTHEĺACTRESSĺAPPEARĺDISAPPOINTEDĺ WITHĺTHISĺSEXUALĺIMAGEĺWHILEĺTHOSEĺTHATĺCOMMENTĺONĺTHEĺČAWLESSĺVISAGEĺOFĺTHEĺ WOMANĺSIMPLYĺGOĺONĺTOĺMOCKĺTHEĺPERFORMANCEĺOFĺTHEĺSTARĺ

Conclusion )TĺISĺGENERALLYĺHELDĺWITHINĺTHEĺüELDĺOFĺSTARĺSTUDIESĺTHATĺCULTURALĺICONSĺAREĺACCEPT EDĺBYĺTHEĺPUBLICĺINĺTERMSĺOFĺAĺSETĺOFĺPERSONALITYĺTRAITS ĺASSOCIATIONSĺANDĺMAN NERISMSĺWHICHĺPERMEATEĺALLĺOFĺTHEIRĺüLMĺROLESĺSEEĺ(ARRISĺĺ ĺ(OWEVER ĺ INĺ THEĺ CASEĺ OFĺ 3HARONĺ 3TONE ĺ THEĺ ACTRESSĺ ISĺ ONLYĺ ACCEPTEDĺ INĺ TERMSĺ OFĺ THOSEĺ PERSONALITYĺTRAITS ĺASSOCIATIONSĺANDĺMANNERISMSĺWHICHĺMAKEĺUPĺTHEĺPREDATORYĺ CHARACTERĺ OFĺ #ATHERINEĺ %VENĺ THOUGHĺ THEĺ ACTRESSĺ HASĺ APPEAREDĺ INĺ OVERĺ FORTYĺ üLMS ĺHERĺSTARĺIMAGEĺREMAINSĺSINGLE HANDEDLYĺCONSTRUCTEDĺAROUNDĺHERĺPERFORM ANCESĺINĺTHEĺNEO NOIRĺTEXTSĺ&ROMĺTHISĺESTIMATION ĺTHISĺCHAPTERĺHASĺOUTLINEDĺTHEĺ WAYSĺINĺWHICHĺREVIEWĺMEDIAĺANDĺTHEĺACTRESSĺINĺQUESTIONĺHAVEĺFORMEDĺAĺCON SENSUSĺASĺTHEYĺBLURĺTHEĺDISTINCTIONSĺBETWEENĺROLEĺANDĺSTAR ĺCONCLUDINGĺTHATĺTHEĺ AGEINGĺFEMMEĺANDĺTHEĺFORTY SOMETHINGĺWOMANĺHAVEĺBECOMEĺALLĺBUTĺINVISIBLEĺINĺ CONTEMPORARYĺSOCIETYĺ )Fĺ ONEĺ CONSIDERSĺ THATĺ THEĺ ORIGINALĺ FEMMEĺ FATALESĺ WEREĺ ROUTINELYĺ KILLEDĺ FORĺ THEIRĺTRANSGRESSIONSĺANDĺTHATĺTHOSEĺMODERNĺSPIDERĺWOMENĺWHOĺESCAPEĺWITH OUTĺ PUNISHMENTĺ FAILĺ TOĺ RETURNĺ TOĺ THEĺ SILVERĺ SCREEN ĺ THENĺ ITĺ ISĺ CLEARĺ THATĺ THESEĺ DEADLYĺFEMALESĺREMAINĺAGELESSĺAND ĺTHEREFORE ĺPERHAPSĺTIMELESSĺFANTASIESĺFORĺ THEĺVIEWINGĺPUBLICĺ3TONElSĺREPRISALĺOFĺTHEĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺSEEMSĺTOĺDEMONSTRATEĺ

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13 Fatality Revisited: The Problem of ‘Anxiety’ in Psychoanalytic-Feminist Approaches to Film Noir SUZY GORDON

#RITICALĺ DEBATEĺ HASĺ üRMLYĺ ESTABLISHEDĺ üLMĺ NOIRĺ ASĺ ANĺ ARTICULATIONĺ OFĺ ANXIETYĺ 7HEREĺTHEREĺISĺNOIR ĺ+ELLYĺ/LIVERĺANDĺ"ENIGNOĺ4RIGOĺ ĺREMINDĺUS ĺTHEREĺISĺAL WAYSĺANXIETYĺ!NXIETYĺISĺNOIRlSĺIDIOM ĺITSĺRAISONĺDlíTRE ĺWHETHERĺITĺISĺATTRIBUTEDĺTOĺ POSTWARĺECONOMICĺSHIFTSĺSEXUALĺANDĺRACIALĺINSTABILITIESĺANDĺAĺPERCEIVEDĺDECLINEĺ INĺPATRIARCHALĺAUTHORITYĺTHEĺUNCERTAINTIESĺOFĺTHEĺHUMANĺCONDITION ĺMORALĺDECAYĺ ANDĺFATALISMĺORĺTHEĺUNCONSCIOUSĺPROCESSESĺOFĺAĺPHALLOCRATICĺCINEMAĺHONEDĺINĺ THEĺARTĺOFĺREPRODUCINGĺMALEĺSUBJECTSĺTORMENTEDĺBYĺTHEIRĺDESIRESĺ-OSTĺPROMI NENTĺAMONGĺNOIRlSĺCASTĺOFĺANXIETY üGURESĺISĺTHEĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺ!ĺSELF SERVING ĺ NARCISSISTICĺANDĺSEXUALLYĺPROVOCATIVEĺWOMAN ĺSHEĺPROMISESĺPLEASURESĺTHATĺIN VOKEĺTHEĺRAVAGESĺOFĺTHEĺDEATH DRIVEĺ3HEĺSEDUCESĺTHEĺMALEĺPROTAGONIST ĺBENDSĺ HIMĺTOĺHERĺWILLĺTHEĺSEDUCTIONĺTAKESĺPLACEĺkATĺTHEĺEXPENSEĺOFĺHISĺOWNĺSUBJECTIV ITYlĺ (AYWARDĺ ĺ  ĺ .OIRĺ ANXIETYĺ THUSĺ EXPOSESĺ THEĺ INEXTRICABLEĺ CONNEC TIONĺBETWEENĺMALEĺDESIREĺANDĺTHEĺCOLLAPSEĺOFĺkMENlSĺVERYĺEXISTENCElĺASĺMENĺ 0LACEĺĺ ĺ4HISĺkPERVERSITYlĺISĺTHEĺFEMMEĺFATALElSĺTERRAINĺSHEĺDRAMATISESĺ FORĺ MENĺ THEĺ ETERNALĺ PULLĺ OFĺ SELF DESTRUCTIVENESSĺ AGAINSTĺ THEĺ NARCISSISTICĺ SELF IDENTIüCATIONSĺREQUIREDĺBYĺPATRIARCHYĺ+RUTNIKĺĺp  4HREEĺNEO NOIRSĺpĺ#RUSHĺ ĺ4HEĺ,ASTĺ3EDUCTIONĺ ĺANDĺ)NĺTHEĺ#UTĺ  ĺpĺREPOSITIONĺANXIETYĺINĺRELATIONĺTOĺTHEĺDIFüCULTYĺOFĺDESIREĺANDĺSUBJECTIVITYĺ FORĺWOMENĺ0ARTĺOFĺTHEĺAIMĺOFĺTHISĺCHAPTERĺTHEREFOREĺISĺTOĺDETERMINEĺWHATĺFORMĺ ANXIETYĺTAKESĺASĺAĺCONSEQUENCEĺOFĺTHISĺSHIFTĺ)NĺWHATĺFOLLOWS ĺ)ĺSUGGESTĺTHATĺ THEĺNEO FEMMEĺFATALEĺINVOKESĺANDĺREWORKSĺTHEĺNOIRĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺINĺWAYSĺTHATĺ POINTĺTOWARDSĺTHEĺPIVOTALĺPOSITIONĺOFĺANXIETYĺATĺTHEĺINTERSECTIONĺBETWEENĺPUBLICĺ ANDĺPRIVATEĺVIOLENCE ĺHISTORICALĺANDĺPSYCHICALĺWORLDSĺ)ĺDEVELOPĺAĺREADINGĺOFĺANXI ETYĺASĺAĺSIGNALĺOFĺWHATĺITĺFEELSĺLIKEĺSIMULTANEOUSLYĺTOĺEXISTĺINĺHISTORYĺTHEĺkREALlĺ WORLD ĺANDĺINĺTHEĺPSYCHEĺTHEĺUNIVERSEĺWITHIN ĺ4HISĺMEANSĺSEEINGĺANXIETYĺNOTĺ ASĺAĺCRISISĺINĺIDENTITYĺAĺDANGERĺTOĺBEĺFEAREDĺANDĺSOĺAVERTED ĺBUTĺASĺITSĺCONDITIONĺ OFĺPOSSIBILITYĺSOMETHINGĺTOĺHOPEĺFOR 

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Noir anxiety &OCUSINGĺ ONĺ THEĺ ANXIETYĺ INVOLVEDĺ WITHĺ MASCULINEĺ SUBJECTIVITY ĺ ANDĺ DRAWINGĺ ONĺ &REUDIAN ,ACANIANĺ PSYCHOANALYSIS ĺ FEMINISTĺ üLMĺ THEORYĺ HASĺ LARGELYĺ FAVOUREDĺ Aĺ kSYMPTOMATIClĺREADINGĺOFĺüLMĺNOIRĺ)NĺTHISĺAPPROACH ĺTHEĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺISĺREADĺASĺ AĺSYMPTOMĺOFĺCASTRATIONĺANXIETYĺTHEĺCODEDĺREPRESENTATIVEĺOFĺTHEĺPRECARIOUSNESSĺ OFĺMALEĺSUBJECTIVITYĺWITHINĺAĺHETERO PATRIARCHYĺ0ATRIARCHYĺISĺUNDERSTOODĺTOĺREQUIREĺ THEĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺpĺTHEĺSYSTEMĺNEEDSĺTOĺCOUNTENANCE ĺEVENĺENJOY ĺTHEĺPROSPECTĺ OFĺITSĺOWNĺDESTRUCTIONĺ-ARYĺ!NNĺ$OANEĺINDICATESĺTHEĺFOCUSĺOFĺTHEĺDEBATES The femme fatale is an articulation of fears surrounding the loss of stability and centrality of the self, the ‘I’, the ego. These anxieties appear quite explicitly in the process of her representation as castration anxiety … The power accorded to the femme fatale is a function of fears linked to the notions of uncontrollable drives, the fading of subjectivity, and the loss of conscious agency. (1991: 2–3) k#ASTRATIONlĺHEREĺREFERSĺTOĺkWOMANlĺASĺSIGNIüERĺWITHINĺAĺHETERO PATRIARCHALĺSTRUC TUREĺ OFĺ DESIREĺ WHEREĺ SHEĺ STANDSĺ FORĺ THEĺ kLACKlĺ THEĺ MALEĺ SUBJECTĺ MUSTĺ OFFSETĺ MUSTĺACKNOWLEDGEĺELSEWHERE ĺINĺORDERĺTOĺkBEĺAĺMANl ĺTOĺSUSTAINĺTHEĺüCTIONSĺ OFĺSELFĺASĺSELF DETERMININGĺANDĺAUTONOMOUSĺk7OMANlĺISĺTHEREFOREĺALSOĺAĺPER MANENTĺREMINDERĺOFĺTHEĺPROSPECTĺOFĺMANlSĺOWNĺkLACKlĺHISĺkBEINGlĺISĺHAUNTEDĺBYĺ THEĺ POTENTIALĺ FORĺ DESTRUCTIONĺ!ĺ COMPROMISEĺ FORMATIONĺ BETWEENĺ THEĺ NEEDĺ TOĺ EXPRESSĺDELIGHTĺIN ĺTHEĺRISKĺOFĺNON IDENTITYĺANDĺALSOĺTOĺSOMEĺEXTENT ĺEXTINGUISHĺ IT ĺTHEĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺSECURESĺTHEĺMALEĺSUBJECTĺWHILEĺPROMISINGĺHISĺDOWNFALL 4HISĺkSYMPTOMATIClĺMODEĺOFĺREADINGĺTHEĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺHASĺPROVEDĺEXTREME LYĺPERSUASIVE ĺNOTĺLEASTĺBECAUSEĺITĺMAKESĺSENSEĺOFĺTHEĺIDEOLOGICALĺWORKĺOFĺüLMĺ NOIRĺ#LAREĺ*OHNSTONĺSUMMARISESĺk)TĺISĺINĺRELATIONĺTOĺTHEĺWOMENĺINĺTHEĺüLMĺaĺ THATĺ THEĺ INTERNALĺ CONTRADICTIONSĺ OFĺ THEĺ PATRIARCHALĺ ORDERĺ aĺ AREĺ aĺ PLAYEDĺ OUTĺ 4HEĺmWOMANnĺISĺPRODUCEDĺASĺTHEĺSIGNIüERĺOFĺTHEĺLACKĺaĺTHEĺmFAULTnĺINHERENTĺINĺ PATRIARCHYĺASĺANĺORDERlĺĺ ĺ.OIRĺISĺPATRIARCHYlSĺkSAFETY NETl ĺ&RANKĺ+RUTNIKĺ EXPLAINS ĺAĺMEANSĺOFĺARTICULATINGĺANDĺMANAGINGĺTHEĺkINHERENTlĺPROBLEMSĺOFĺPHAL LICĺSUBJECTIVITYĺBYĺPOSITIONINGĺINSTABILITYĺELSEWHEREĺĺ ĺ$EBORAHĺ4HOMASĺ AGREESĺüLMĺNOIRĺISĺkABOUTĺMENĺWITHĺWOMENĺUSEDĺASĺDECOYSĺINĺAĺSTRATEGYĺOFĺ DENIALlĺĺ ĺ*ANEYĺ0LACEĺHASĺAĺDIFFERENTĺEMPHASISĺk/NĺAĺSTRICTLYĺNARRATIVEĺ LEVEL lĺSHEĺEXPLAINS ĺkSEXUALLYĺAGGRESSIVEĺWOMENĺaĺMUSTĺBEĺDESTROYEDlĺĺ  ĺ"UTĺTHISĺkREGRESSIVEĺIDEOLOGICALĺFUNCTIONlĺISĺOVERWHELMEDĺBYĺNOIRlSĺkUNIQUE LYĺSENSUALĺVISUALĺTEXTURElĺINĺWHICHĺTHEĺFEMMEĺFATALElSĺkSTRENGTHĺANDĺPOWERlĺISĺ PRIVILEGED ĺkPRINTEDĺINĺOURĺMEMORYlĺIBID ĺ&ILMĺNOIRĺMAYĺCERTAINLYĺMANAGEĺANXI ETY ĺBUTĺMAYĺALSOĺTHEREBYĺPROLIFERATEĺIT /CCLUDEDĺWITHINĺTHEĺkSYMPTOMATIClĺMODEL ĺITĺISĺTHISĺLEGACYĺOFĺTHEĺNOIRĺDE BATESĺpĺTHEĺIMPLICITĺEMPHASISĺONĺTHEĺCONSTITUTIONALĺNECESSITYĺOFĺANXIETYĺpĺTHATĺ

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THISĺCHAPTERĺDEVELOPSĺ!SĺANĺEXAMPLEĺOFĺTHATĺOCCLUSION ĺ)ĺQUOTEĺHEREĺINĺSOMEĺ DETAILĺFROMĺ4HOMAS ĺWHOSEĺWORKĺISĺINSTRUCTIVEĺINĺITSĺAIMĺTOĺACCOUNTĺFORĺANXIETYĺ ASĺAĺPSYCHOLOGICALĺANDĺHISTORICALĺPHENOMENONĺ4HOMASĺINTERPRETSĺANXIETYĺASĺAĺ SIGNĺOFĺANĺINCOMPATIBILITYĺBETWEENĺDIFFERENTĺREPERTOIRESĺOFĺkNORMALlĺMASCULINITY ĺ kAĺKINDĺOFĺMALEĺSCHIZOPHRENIAlĺWHICHĺTHEĺkWARĺANDĺITSĺCONCLUSIONĺaĺCRYSTALLISEDĺ aĺBYĺIMPOSINGĺSUDDENĺANDĺEXTREMEĺSHIFTSĺINĺTHEĺNORMSĺINVOKEDlĺĺp ĺ 3HEĺPROVIDESĺEXAMPLESĺ What was normal during the war – such as close male companionship, sanctioned killing, and ‘easier’ and more casual sexual behaviour, all heightened by the constant possibility of one’s own sudden death – became deviant in the context of post-war calm, though … lingered on in the film noir world as the focus both of longing and of dread. (1992: 60). !NXIETYĺ ISĺ BOUNDĺ UPĺ WITHĺ kNORMALlĺ MASCULINITY ĺ THEĺ DIFüCULTIESĺ pĺ THEĺ IMPOSSI BILITYĺ pĺ OFĺ EVERĺ SUCCESSFULLYĺ INHABITINGĺ ITSĺ FOLDSĺ WITHOUTĺ LOSSĺ ORĺ kDREADl ĺ "UTĺ ANXIETYĺ ISĺ ALSOĺ EQUATEDĺ WITHĺ THEĺ UNCERTAINTIESĺ ANDĺ INSTABILITIESĺ kPROVOKEDlĺ BYĺ kTHEĺADAPTATIONĺTOĺWARĺANDĺTHEĺSUBSEQUENTĺRETURNĺTOĺNORMALlĺĺ ĺ4HISĺ ISĺANXIETYĺMOBILISEDĺkINĺAĺRESPONSEĺTOlĺHISTORICALĺCIRCUMSTANCESĺINTERPRETEDĺASĺ TROUBLINGĺINĺLIGHTĺOFĺPROFOUNDĺINVESTMENTSĺINĺTHEĺüCTIONAL ĺSTABILITYĺOFĺSELF HOODĺ ĺ  4HEREĺ ISĺ Aĺ CONTRADICTIONĺ INĺ THEĺ DELIVERYĺ OFĺ THISĺ ARGUMENTĺ THATĺ GOESĺ UNNO TICEDĺ!NXIETYĺ ISĺ SITUATEDĺ ASĺ PIVOTALĺ INĺ THEĺ CONSTITUTIONĺ OFĺ MALEĺ SUBJECTIVITYĺ pĺ Aĺ CONDITIONĺ OFĺ kBEINGlĺ INĺ THEĺ WORLD ĺ ANDĺ THEĺ SIGNĺ OFĺ ITSĺ DIFüCULTYĺ "UTĺ4HOMASĺ RECUPERATESĺ THEĺ SUGGESTIVEĺ INSINUATIONĺ OFĺ ANXIETYĺ ASĺ Aĺ PARADOXICALĺ MODEĺ OFĺ POSSIBILITY ĺWHENĺTHEĺCONTINGENCIESĺOFĺWARTIMEĺANDĺTHEĺPOSTWARĺSITUATIONĺTAKEĺ CENTRE STAGEĺ (ISTORYĺ COMESĺ TOĺ kPROVOKElĺ ANXIETYĺ RATHERĺ THANĺ kCRYSTALLISElĺ ITĺ 4HEĺ SUBTLEĺ SHIFTĺ INĺ PHRASINGĺ REFRAMESĺ ANXIETYĺ ASĺ Aĺ PSYCHOLOGICALĺ RESPONSEĺ TOĺ HISTORICALĺ EVENTSĺ FELTĺ TOĺ PUTĺ ATĺ RISKĺ ANĺ Aĺ PRIORIĺ STABILITYĺ OFĺ PSYCHEĺ ANDĺ IDENTITYĺ FORĺMENĺ#OMPAREĺ2ICHARDĺ$YERlSĺWORDINGĺANXIETYĺISĺkOVERĺTHEĺEXISTENCEĺANDĺ DEüNITIONĺOFĺMASCULINITYlĺASĺTHOUGHĺANXIETYĺRESPONDSĺTOĺTHEĺPROBLEMSĺPOSEDĺ BYĺ CULTURALĺ DEMANDSĺ ONĺ GENDEREDĺ SUBJECTSĺ ANDĺ NOTĺ THEĺ MEANSĺ BYĺ WHICHĺ THEĺ SUBJECTĺCOMESĺTOĺLIVEĺBYĺINHABITINGĺTHOSEĺREQUIREMENTS ĺ$YERĺCITEDĺINĺ+RUTNIKĺ ĺĺEMPHASISĺADDED ĺ3IMILARLY ĺ+RUTNIKĺSUGGESTSĺTHATĺANXIETYĺISĺAROUSEDĺ INĺRESPONSEĺTOĺTHEĺDISSONANCESĺOFĺkPHALLIClĺSUBJECTIVITYĺASĺTHEYĺWEREĺNEWLYĺFORE GROUNDEDĺINĺTHEĺPOSTWARĺ53ĺĺp ĺ-OREĺRECENTLY ĺDEVOTINGĺANĺENTIREĺ BOOKĺTOĺTHEĺISSUEĺOFĺNOIRĺANXIETY ĺ/LIVERĺANDĺ4RIGOĺREPRODUCEĺTHEĺPROBLEM ĺDEüN INGĺANXIETYĺASĺAĺGENERALISEDĺkSTATElĺOFĺUNEASEĺAROUSEDĺBYĺPOSTWARĺUNCERTAINTIESĺ ANDĺCHANGEĺ  )NĺALLĺTHESEĺCASES ĺANXIETYĺISĺCASTĺASĺAĺFEARFULĺRESPONSEĺTOĺAĺDANGERĺSITUATIONĺ pĺANXIETYĺISĺELIDEDĺWITHĺkFEARlĺ4HEĺABOVE QUOTEDĺPASSAGEĺFROMĺ$OANEĺISĺEXPLICITĺ ONĺTHISĺPOINTĺTHEĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺARTICULATESĺkFEARSĺSURROUNDINGĺTHEĺLOSSĺOFĺSTABIL

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ITYĺaĺOFĺTHEĺSELFl ĺkFEARSĺLINKEDĺTOĺTHEĺaĺFADINGĺOFĺSUBJECTIVITYl ĺANDĺSOĺONĺĺ pĺEMPHASISĺADDED ĺ)NTRIGUINGLY ĺANXIETYĺISĺMADEĺINTERCHANGEABLEĺWITHĺFEARĺ INĺVIRTUALLYĺEVERYĺACCOUNTĺ)ĺHAVEĺREADĺOFĺTHEĺANXIETYĺASSOCIATEDĺWITHĺTHEĺFEMMEĺ FATALEĺ#ONSIDERĺ*AMESĺ&ĺ-AXüELDlSĺ4HEĺ&ATALĺ7OMANĺ3OURCESĺOFĺ-ALEĺ!NXI ETYĺINĺ!MERICANĺ&ILMĺ.OIRĺp ĺINĺWHICHĺTHEĺANXIETYĺOFĺTHEĺTITLEĺISĺTRANS POSEDĺINĺTHEĺTEXTĺASĺkTHEĺTHREATĺWHICHĺAĺWOMANĺaĺPOSESĺTOĺTHEĺLIFE ĺWELFARE ĺORĺ PSYCHOLOGICALĺWELL BEINGĺOFĺAĺMALEĺPROTAGONISTlĺĺp ĺ/Rĺ%ĺ!NNĺ+APLAN ĺ WHOĺ SUGGESTSĺ THATĺ PSYCHOANALYTIC FEMINISTĺ THEORYĺ READSĺ THEĺ FEMMEĺ FATALEĺ INĺ TERMSĺOFĺAĺkMALEĺFEARĺOFĺaĺCASTRATIONlĺĺ ĺ4HUSĺWHILEĺSYMPTOMATICĺREAD INGSĺMAYĺALLOWĺFORĺPERSUASIVEĺINTERPRETATIONSĺOFĺüLMĺNOIRlSĺIDEOLOGICALĺPREMISEĺ pĺTHEĺNEEDĺTOĺREPRODUCEĺAĺSTABLEĺMASCULINITYĺOUTĺOFĺITSĺRUINĺANDĺTHEĺDIFüCULTYĺ OFĺDOINGĺSO ĺpĺTHEYĺRELYĺONĺAĺRESTRICTEDĺCONCEPTIONĺOFĺANXIETYĺWHICHĺCANĺTENDĺTOĺ SUGGESTĺTHATĺWOMANĺASĺWOMANĺINESCAPABLYĺDOESĺVIOLENCEĺTOĺMEN 4HISĺISĺBECAUSEĺTOĺELIDEĺANXIETYĺWITHĺFEARĺISĺTOĺGIVEĺANXIETYĺANĺORIGINĺ4HISĺ TURNSĺANXIETYĺINTOĺAĺCONSEQUENCEĺOFĺkWHATĺHAPPENSlĺOFĺHISTORICALĺEVENTS ĺRATHERĺ THANĺMAKINGĺITĺINTEGRALĺTOĺTHEĺMEANINGĺANDĺEXPERIENCEĺOFĺkWHATĺHAPPENSl ĺTOĺTHEĺ POSSIBILITYĺOFĺANYTHINGĺBEINGĺEXPERIENCEDĺINĺTHEĺüRSTĺPLACEĺ4HEĺEFFECTĺISĺTOĺISOLATEĺ ANXIETYĺASĺAĺüGUREĺBELONGINGĺTOĺTHEĺINNERĺWORLD ĺINTERPRETEDĺASĺANĺEMOTIVEĺORĺ AFFECTIVEĺ RESPONSE ĺ WHILEĺ PARTICULARĺ HISTORICALĺ CIRCUMSTANCESĺ AREĺ IMBUEDĺ WITHĺ ANĺ INNATEĺ CAPACITYĺ TOĺ TROUBLEĺ THEĺ CERTAINTIESĺ OFĺ MASCULINITYĺ FORĺ MENĺ4HISĺ HASĺ TROUBLINGĺCONSEQUENCESĺ)TĺMEANSĺTHATĺWOMENlSĺINCREASEDĺACCESSĺTOĺTHEĺPUBLICĺ SPHEREĺDURINGĺ7ORLDĺ7ARĺ4WO ĺTHEIRĺPERCEIVEDĺUSURPATIONĺOFĺTHEĺMALEĺWORKPLACEĺ ANDĺTHEĺINCREASEDĺVISIBILITYĺOFĺTHEIRĺSEXUALĺACTIVITY ĺMAYĺEASILYĺBEĺREADĺASĺPOSINGĺ AĺTHREATĺTOĺMASCULINITYĺANDĺTOĺMEN ĺINĺACTUALITY ĺASĺIFĺTHEĺDOMINANTĺüCTIONSĺOFĺ MASCULINITYĺWEREĺGENUINELYĺSECUREĺELSEWHEREĺTHANĺINĺFANTASYĺORĺüCTION ĺ7EREĺ THISĺTHEĺCASE ĺWOMENĺCOULDĺBEĺSAIDĺTOĺBEĺDANGEROUSĺONSCREENĺINĺMALEĺFANTASY ĺ BECAUSEĺTHEYĺAREĺDANGEROUSĺINĺREALĺLIFEĺ&ROMĺTHISĺEMERGESĺTHEĺAXIOMĺTHATĺIN CREASINGLYĺINDEPENDENT ĺWOMENĺREALLYĺDOĺPOSEĺAĺTHREATĺTOĺMENĺ.OTĺONLYĺISĺTHISĺ PROBLEMATICĺANĺARGUMENTĺTHATĺJUSTIüESĺITSĺOWNĺMISOGYNY ĺITĺISĺALSOĺIMPRECISEĺ)Tĺ IGNORESĺTHEĺIDEAĺTHATĺTHEĺFEMMEĺFATALEĺMATERIALISESĺTHEĺkPERVERSITYlĺOFĺTHEĺMALEĺ SUBJECTĺFRACTUREDĺBYĺHISĺOWNĺDESIREĺTHEĺIDEA ĺASĺWEĺHAVEĺSEEN ĺTHATĺISĺRIGHTĺATĺ THEĺ HEARTĺ OFĺ INVESTIGATIONSĺ INTOĺ NOIRlSĺ GENDEREDĺ ANXIETY ĺ "UTĺ ITĺ ALSOĺ ASSUMESĺ INCORRECTLYĺTHATĺHISTORICALĺREALITIESĺAREĺUNTOUCHEDĺBYĺTHEĺDRAMASĺOFĺPSYCHICALĺLIFE 7OMENĺDOĺNOTĺREALLYĺPOSEĺAĺTHREATĺTOĺMEN ĺTOĺTHEĺPOSSIBILITYĺOFĺMENĺBEINGĺ kMENlĺ4OĺSUGGESTĺTHATĺTHEYĺDOĺISĺATĺTHEĺVERYĺLEASTĺTOĺCANCELĺOUTĺTHEĺVALIDITYĺOFĺAĺ CLAIMĺFORĺWOMENlSĺAUTONOMYĺJUSTĺTHINKĺOFĺTHEĺRESTRICTIONSĺONĺTHEIRĺACTIONSĺTHATĺ WOULDĺBEĺINVOLVEDĺIFĺINDEPENDENTĺWOMENĺACTUALLYĺWEREĺDANGEROUS ĺ2ATHER ĺITĺ ISĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺPSYCHICALĺOPERATIONSĺOFĺFANTASY ĺSPECIüCALLYĺINĺITSĺINSTITUTIONALISEDĺ FORMSĺINĺCINEMA ĺFORĺEXAMPLE ĺTHATĺWOMENlSĺINCREASEDĺSEXUALĺANDĺECONOMICĺ INDEPENDENCEĺISĺINTERPRETEDĺASĺAĺTHREATĺ%LIZABETHĺ#OWIEĺPUTSĺITĺSUCCINCTLYĺkTHEĺ IMAGEĺOFĺWOMANĺASĺDEVOURINGlĺISĺAĺFANTASYĺANĺUNCONSCIOUSĺSCENARIO ĺTHATĺGETSĺ ATTACHEDĺkTOĺAĺLITTLEĺBITĺOFĺREALITYlĺkWOMENĺHAVEĺSUBSTITUTEDĺFORĺMENĺATĺHOMEĺANDĺ

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Agency and violence: In the Cut

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223

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ANOREXIC SUBJECTIVITY IN FIGHT CLUB AND THE MACHINIST

225

3HORTLYĺAFTER ĺ.ARRATORĺkMEETSlĺ4YLERĺANDĺISĺEDUCATEDĺINĺTHEĺREJECTIONĺOFĺCON SUMERĺCULTURE ĺüNDINGĺSOLACEĺTHROUGHĺPHYSICALĺVIOLENCEĺRATHERĺTHANĺTHEĺVAGUELYĺ EMPATHETICĺ SHEDDINGĺ OFĺ TEARSĺ .ARRATORlSĺ NEEDĺ FORĺ SOMETHINGĺ ISĺ STRAIGHTFOR WARDLYĺCONNECTEDĺTOĺTHEĺALIENATIONĺOFĺLIFEĺUNDERĺCAPITALISMĺ)NĺAĺBUSINESSĺMEET ING ĺAĺMANAGERĺEXPLAINS ĺk%FüCIENCYĺISĺPRIORITYĺĺaĺBECAUSEĺWASTEĺISĺAĺTHIEF lĺ POINTINGĺ TOĺ THEĺ STANDARDĺ PRACTICESĺ OFĺ MAXIMISINGĺ SURPLUS VALUEĺ PROüT ĺ BYĺ RA TIONALISINGĺ ANDĺ INTENSIFYINGĺ LABOUR ĺ TURNINGĺ THEĺ WORKERĺ INTOĺ LITTLEĺ MOREĺ THANĺ Aĺ MACHINEĺSTRIPPEDĺOFĺHISĺORĺHERĺOWNĺDESIRES ĺCREATIVITYĺANDĺSELFHOODĺ.ARRATORlSĺ JOBĺ MAKESĺ BRUTALLYĺ CLEARĺ CAPITALlSĺ DEHUMANISINGĺ IMPERATIVEĺ HEĺ CALCULATESĺ THEĺ FEASIBILITYĺOFĺRECALLINGĺ FATALLYĺDEFECTIVEĺAUTOMOBILES ĺWEIGHINGĺPROJECTEDĺRECALLĺ COSTSĺAGAINSTĺTHEĺANTICIPATEDĺCOSTSĺOFĺLAWSUITSĺ(UMANS ĺWHETHERĺASĺWORKERSĺ ORĺ CONSUMERS ĺ AREĺ REDUCEDĺ TOĺ CALCULATIONSĺ ABOUTĺ PROüTABILITYĺ )Tĺ IS ĺ THEREFORE ĺ ANĺABSURDĺEXTENSIONĺOFĺTHISĺLOGIC ĺIFĺNOTĺEXACTLYĺREVOLUTIONARY ĺFORĺ4YLERĺTOĺSTEALĺ HUMANĺFATĺFROMĺAĺLIPOSUCTIONĺCLINICĺTOĺMAKEĺBOUTIQUEĺSOAP ĺTOĺSELLĺkRICHĺWOMENĺ THEIRĺOWNĺFATĺASSESĺBACKĺTOĺTHEMl /NEĺOFĺTHEĺMAINĺTARGETSĺOFĺ4YLERlSĺREBELLIONĺAGAINSTĺTHEĺGIVENĺORDERĺISĺAD VERTISING ĺ Aĺ SYSTEMĺ HEĺ ACCUSESĺ OFĺ PRODUCINGĺ kANĺ ENTIREĺ GENERATIONĺ PUMPINGĺ GAS ĺWAITINGĺTABLESlĺINĺORDERĺTOĺAFFORDĺCOMMODITIESĺTHATĺAREĺMERELYĺWANTED ĺNOTĺ NEEDED ĺANDĺWHICHĺAREĺTHENĺUSEDĺASĺAĺMEANSĺOFĺSELF DEüNITIONĺ)NITIALLY ĺ.ARRATORĺ DOESĺNOTĺSEEMĺTOĺFEELĺALIENATEDĺFROMĺAĺLIFEĺINĺWHICHĺHISĺIDENTITYĺISĺGENERATEDĺ THROUGHĺTHEĺCOMMODITIESĺHEĺWORKSĺTOĺPURCHASE ĺEXEMPLIüEDĺINĺTHEĺFAMOUSĺSHOTĺ WHICHĺCONVERTSĺHISĺCONDOĺINTOĺAĺCATALOGUEĺPAGE ĺPROUDLYĺLABELLINGĺANDĺPRICINGĺ ALLĺTHEĺOBJECTSĺONĺDISPLAYĺ)TĺISĺSOONĺCLEAR ĺHOWEVER ĺTHATĺHEĺDOESĺNOTĺHAVEĺTHEĺ UPPERĺHANDĺINĺHISĺRELATIONSHIPĺTOĺTHESEĺCOMMODITIES ĺBUTĺISĺINSTEADĺDRIVENĺBYĺAĺ COMPULSIVEĺURGEĺTOĺCONSUME ĺNEATLYĺCAPTUREDĺWHENĺHEĺORDERSĺTHINGSĺFROMĺTHEĺ )+%!ĺCATALOGUEĺWHILEĺSATĺONĺTHEĺTOILETĺ#LEARLYĺAĺJOKEĺABOUTĺMASTURBATION ĺTHISĺ SCENEĺFURTHERĺSUGGESTSĺAĺCONFUSIONĺOFĺAPPETITESĺFORĺFOOD ĺFORĺCOMMODITIES ĺ)Tĺ SUGGESTSĺ THEĺ INEVITABLEĺ DISAPPOINTMENTSĺ OFĺ SOCIALĺ RELATIONSĺ UNDERĺ CONSUMERĺ CAPITALISMĺWHICHĺENCOURAGEĺUSĺTOĺBELIEVEĺTHATĺAĺCOMMODITYĺCANĺGIVEĺUSĺLOVEĺ ORĺFRIENDSHIPĺORĺSELF WORTHĺ"UTĺINĺTHEĺENDĺCOMMODITIESĺAREĺONLYĺTHINGS ĺALLĺOFĺ WHICHĺSOONERĺORĺLATERĺTURNĺTOĺSHITĺ.ARRATORĺTHUSĺEPITOMISESĺ4HEODORĺ!DORNOĺANDĺ -AXĺ (ORKHEIMERlSĺ GRIMĺ CONCLUSIONĺ THATĺ UNDERĺ CAPITALISMĺ kTHEĺ MOSTĺ INTIMATEĺ REACTIONSĺOFĺHUMANĺBEINGSĺHAVEĺBEENĺSOĺTHOROUGHLYĺREIüEDlĺTHATĺkPERSONALITYĺ SCARCELYĺ SIGNIüESĺ ANYTHINGĺ MOREĺ THANĺ SHININGĺ WHITEĺ TEETHĺ ANDĺ FREEDOMĺ FROMĺ BODYĺODOURĺANDĺEMOTIONSlĺĺ  !DVERTISINGĺ pĺ BOTHĺ FORĺ FOOD ĺ WHICHĺ ENCOURAGESĺ USĺ TOĺ EATĺ MOREĺ ANDĺ OTHERĺ THANĺISĺNUTRITIONALLYĺSOUND ĺANDĺFORĺFASHION ĺWHICHĺFEATURESĺUNREALISTICALLYĺTHINĺ MODELSĺpĺISĺOFTENĺBLAMEDĺFORĺTHEĺPREVALENCEĺOFĺANOREXIAĺ"ORDOĺNOTESĺTHEĺCON TRADICTIONSĺOFĺLATEĺCAPITALISMĺEVIDENTĺINĺADVERTISINGĺWHICHĺJUXTAPOSESĺIMAGESĺOFĺ kLUSCIOUSĺFOODSlĺWITHĺkEXERCISEĺEQUIPMENTlĺĺ ĺ$ONALDĺ-ĺ,OWEĺARGUESĺ THATĺ FASHIONĺ ADVERTISINGĺ FEATURINGĺ CLOTHESĺ THATĺ DOĺ NOTĺ LOOKĺ GOODĺ ONĺ ANYĺ kNOR MALlĺBODYĺPRODUCESĺANOREXIAĺNERVOSAĺASĺkMUCHĺLESSĺAĺPSYCHOPATHOLOGY ĺTHANĺAĺ

226

NEO-NOIR

LATE CAPITALISTĺSOCIOPATHOLOGYlĺĺ ĺANDĺ/LSONĺPOINTSĺOUTĺTHATĺCAPITALISMĺ BENEüTSĺFROMĺTHEĺDOUBLE BINDĺOFĺDIETĺANDĺINDULGENCEĺADVERTISINGĺENCOURAGES ĺ SELLINGĺFATTENINGĺFASTĺFOODĺTOĺTHEĺPOORĺANDĺEXPENSIVEĺDIETĺkSOLUTIONSlĺTOĺTHEĺRICHĺ SEEĺĺ ĺ!ĺSIMILARĺPATTERNĺOFĺDESIRE ĺINDULGENCE ĺCONSTRAINTĺANDĺCONTROLĺ ISĺEXPRESSEDĺBYĺ4YLERlSĺFRUSTRATIONĺWITHĺHISĺANDĺOTHERĺMENlSĺECONOMICĺPOSITIONĺ 4HEYĺHAVEĺNOTĺBECOMEĺTHEĺkMILLIONAIRESĺANDĺMOVIEĺGODSĺANDĺROCKĺSTARSlĺTELEVI SIONĺLEDĺTHEMĺTOĺBELIEVEĺTHEYĺWOULDĺBE ĺBUTĺINSTEADĺAREĺTRAPPEDĺINĺDEAD ENDĺ JOBS ĺUNABLEĺTOĺAFFORDĺMANYĺOFĺTHEĺCOMMODITIESĺTHEYĺDESIREĺ4HEĺDESTRUCTIONĺOFĺ .ARRATORlSĺCONDOĺCANĺBEĺSEENĺASĺAĺREJECTIONĺOFĺTHEĺLOGICĺOFĺACCUMULATIONĺANDĺ THEĺREDUCTIONĺOFĺHUMANĺWORTHĺTOĺECONOMICSĺ(EĺRECOGNISESĺTHEĺPOVERTYĺOFĺHISĺ FORMERĺEXISTENCE ĺWHENĺHEĺFELTĺkCLOSEĺTOĺBEINGĺCOMPLETElĺTHROUGHĺKNOWINGĺTHATĺ kWHATEVERĺ ELSEĺ HAPPENS ĺ )lVEĺ GOTĺ THATĺ SOFAĺ PROBLEMĺ HANDLEDlĺ (OWEVER ĺ THISĺ REJECTIONĺOFĺCONSUMERĺGOODSĺSEEMSĺLESSĺAĺHEROICĺRESISTANCEĺTOĺCAPITALISMĺANDĺ MOREĺTHEĺDESPERATEĺCONTROLĺOFĺTHEĺANOREXICĺSUBJECTĺWHOĺCANNOTĺMANAGEĺDESIREĺ ANDĺAPPETITEĺWITHINĺCONSTRAINTSĺANDĺTHUSĺGIVESĺUPĺONĺCONSUMPTIONĺALTOGETHERĺ 0ROJECTĺ-AYHEMlSĺSUPPOSEDLYĺREVOLUTIONARYĺRHETORICĺBEGINSĺTOĺSOUNDĺMOREĺLIKEĺ THEĺ SOURĺ GRAPESĺ OFĺ THOSEĺ WHOĺ HAVEĺ NOTĺ RISENĺ ASĺ HIGHĺ WITHINĺ THEĺ SYSTEMĺ ASĺ THEYĺDESIREDĺ4HEIRĺCULMINATINGĺPLANĺTOĺDESTROYĺTHEĺHEADQUARTERSĺOFĺCREDITĺCARDĺ COMPANIES ĺERASINGĺTHEIRĺRECORDSĺSOĺTHATĺkWEĺALLĺGOĺBACKĺTOĺZEROl ĺSUGGESTSĺTHATĺ THEYĺDOĺNOTĺWANTĺTOĺREPLACEĺTHEĺSYSTEMĺBUTĺTOĺRESTARTĺITĺWITHĺTHEIRĺCHANCESĺOFĺ SUCCESSĺRESTORED .ARRATORĺTELLSĺUSĺTHATĺTHEYĺDIDĺNOTĺINVENTĺTHEĺANXIETYĺEXPRESSEDĺINĺTHEĺüGHTĺ CLUBSĺk4YLERĺANDĺ)ĺJUSTĺMADEĺITĺVISIBLElĺ4HISĺCONCERNĺWITHĺkMAKINGĺVISIBLElĺISĺALSOĺ INVOKEDĺINĺTHEĺüLMĺITSELFĺASĺAĺPROJECTIONIST ĺ4YLERĺSPLICESĺPORNOGRAPHICĺFRAMESĺ INTOĺFAMILYĺüLMSĺ&IGHTĺ#LUBĺDOESĺSOMETHINGĺSIMILAR ĺNOTĺONLYĺINCLUDINGĺSUCHĺAĺ FRAMEĺ INĺ ITSĺ CLOSINGĺ MOMENTS ĺ BUTĺ ALSOĺ INSERTINGĺ ČASHESĺ OFĺ4YLERĺ DURINGĺ EARLYĺ SCENESĺ INĺ WHICHĺ .ARRATORĺ ISĺ STRUGGLINGĺ WITHĺ INSOMNIAĺ )Nĺ PART ĺ THISĺ TECHNIQUEĺ DRAWSĺATTENTIONĺTOĺTHEĺNOIRĺPROTAGONISTlSĺSUBJECTIVEĺCONSTRUCTIONĺOFĺREALITYĺ4HEĺ üLMlSĺCRITIQUEĺOFĺCOMMODITYĺCULTUREĺALSOĺCONNECTSĺSUCHĺFANTASTICALĺELEMENTSĺTOĺ THEĺINHERENTLYĺPARANOIDĺEXPERIENCEĺOFĺLIFEĺUNDERĺCAPITALISMĺSEEĺ"OULDĺ ĺ Aĺ WORLDĺ OFĺ COMMODITYĺ FETISHISMĺ INĺ WHICHĺ kTHEĺ COMMODITYĺ REČECTSĺ THEĺ SOCIALĺ CHARACTERISTICSĺOFĺMENlSĺOWNĺLABOURĺASĺOBJECTIVEĺCHARACTERISTICSĺOFĺTHEĺPRODUCTSĺ OFĺLABOURĺTHEMSELVESlĺ-ARXĺĺp ĺANDĺTHUSĺOBJECTSĺkAPPEARĺASĺAUTONO MOUSĺüGURESĺENDOWEDĺWITHĺAĺLIFEĺOFĺTHEIRĺOWN ĺWHICHĺENTERĺINTOĺRELATIONSĺBOTHĺ WITHĺEACHĺOTHERĺANDĺWITHĺTHEĺHUMANĺRACElĺĺ ĺ4HEĺFANTASTICĺMODEĺOFĺ &IGHTĺ #LUB ĺ INĺ WHICHĺ4YLERĺ ANDĺ .ARRATORĺ EXISTĺ ASĺ SEPARATELYĺ EMBODIEDĺ PEOPLEĺ FORĺMOSTĺOFĺTHEĺüLM ĺISĺANOTHERĺkMAKINGĺVISIBLElĺpĺOFĺTHEĺDIVIDEDĺSUBJECTIVITIESĺ REQUIREDĺBYĺCAPITAL ,OWEĺ ARGUESĺ THATĺ THEĺ RELATIVEĺ LIVELINESSĺ OFĺ COMMODITIESĺ COMPAREDĺ TOĺ HU MANSĺ INĺ LATEĺ CAPITALISMĺ HASĺ LESSĺ TOĺ DOĺ WITHĺ THEĺ UNCANNYĺ ANIMATIONĺ OFĺ COM MODITIESĺ THANĺ WITHĺ THEĺ WAYSĺ THATĺ WEĺ HAVEĺ BEENĺ ALIENATEDĺ FROMĺ OURĺ BODIESĺ ANDĺTURNEDĺINTOĺCOMMODITIESĺWHOSEĺDESIRESĺAREĺMANUFACTUREDĺFORĺUSĺWEĺkAREĺ

ANOREXIC SUBJECTIVITY IN FIGHT CLUB AND THE MACHINIST

227

Commodity torso: Fight Club

ACCORDINGLYĺLESSĺmALIVEn ĺSINCEĺOURĺFEELINGSĺAREĺINSTIGATEDĺBYĺTHEĺSIGNSĺOFĺSOCIAL ĺ CULTURALĺVALUES ĺANDĺOURĺNEEDSĺREPACKAGEDĺBYĺCHANGINGĺPRODUCTĺCHARACTERISTICSlĺ ĺ ĺ4YLERlSĺRAGEĺAGAINSTĺADVERTISINGĺSEEMSĺTOĺPOINTĺTOWARDSĺAĺSIMILARĺCRI TIQUEĺOFĺITSĺALIENATINGĺEFFECTSĺ&EARINGĺAĺFUTUREĺOFĺk-ICROSOFTĺ'ALAXYlĺANDĺk0LANETĺ 3TARBUCKSl ĺ 4YLERlSĺ FOLLOWERSĺ REBELĺ AGAINSTĺ WAGE LABOURĺ DRUDGERY ĺ SUBVERTINGĺ THEIRĺROLESĺSOĺASĺTOĺFURTHERĺ0ROJECTĺ-AYHEMĺANDĺTRYINGĺTOĺDEVELOPĺSOMEĺKINDĺOFĺ LIFEĺINĺWHICHĺONLYĺkAUTHENTIClĺNEEDSĺAREĺINDULGED ĺTHUSĺREVEALINGĺTHEĺNAħVETÀĺOFĺ THEIRĺPROJECT ĺWHICHĺFAILSĺTOĺRECOGNISEĺTHATĺSOMETHINGĺASĺCOMMON SENSE SEEM INGĺASĺNEEDSĺAREĺINĺFACTĺCOMPLEX ĺRELATIVE ĺSOCIALĺCONSTRUCTIONSĺ,IKEWISE ĺTHEĺ üLMlSĺOWNĺABILITYĺTOĺENACTĺSUCHĺAĺCRITIQUEĺIS ĺDESPITEĺ4YLERlSĺRHETORIC ĺLIMITEDĺBYĺ ITSĺSTATUSĺANDĺCIRCULATIONĺASĺAĺCOMMODITYĺ)TĺINDUCESĺDESIREĺWITHINĺITSĺAUDIENCE ĺ INDULGINGĺOURĺAPPETITEĺFORĺPERFORMATIVEĺMASCULINITYĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺDISPLAYĺOFĺ"RADĺ 0ITTlSĺRIPPEDĺABSĺANDĺFORĺTHEĺVERYĺCOMMODITIESĺITĺTAKESĺSUCHĺDELIGHTĺINĺBLOWINGĺ UPĺ!LTHOUGHĺTHEĺPROTAGONISTSĺASPIREĺTOĺTHEĺCONTROLĺOFĺTHEĺANOREXICĺSUBJECT ĺTHISĺ ISĺUNDERMINEDĺBYĺTHEIRĺAFFECTIVEĺINVESTMENTĺINĺCOMMODITIES ĺWHICHĺISĺSHAREDĺ BYĺ THEĺ üLMĺ ITSELFĺ ANDĺ ITSĺ AUDIENCEĺ "ORDOĺ ARGUESĺ THAT ĺ WHILEĺ kAĺ SLENDERĺ BODYĺ MAYĺBEĺATTAINABLEĺTHROUGHĺHARDĺWORKl ĺTHEĺTRUEĺSIGNĺOFĺADEQUACYĺSUGGESTEDĺBYĺ MANYĺDIETĺFOODĺADVERTISEMENTSĺISĺkAĺmCOOLnĺRELATIONĺTOĺFOODlĺĺ ĺ&IGHTĺ #LUBĺFAILSĺTOĺATTAINĺTHISĺCOOLĺRELATIONĺTOĺCOMMODITIES ĺTOOĺOFTENĺMAKINGĺVISIBLEĺ ITSĺHUNGERĺFORĺTHEMĺ

The Machinist &ORĺALLĺITSĺFAILURESĺASĺAĺCRITIQUEĺOFĺCONSUMERĺCAPITALISM ĺ&IGHTĺ#LUBĺDOESĺREPRE SENTĺCAPITALlSĺINDIFFERENCEĺTOĺHUMANĺLIFEĺANDĺTHEĺSOCIOPATHOLOGYĺpĺANDĺNEEDĺFORĺ SOLACEĺpĺITĺPRODUCES ĺANDĺARGUABLYĺTHEĺüLMĺITSELFĺISĺAĺFORMĺOFĺFANTASTICĺCONSOLA TIONĺFORĺITSĺVIEWERSĺ-OREOVER ĺITĺOFFERSĺAĺDEPICTIONĺOFĺCRIMINAL ĺPERHAPSĺEVENĺkTER RORISTl ĺDEVIANCEĺASĺONEĺOFĺTHEĺWAYSĺTHATĺTHEĺDISPOSSESSEDĺALBEITĺSTRAIGHTISH ĺ MIDDLE CLASSĺWHITEĺMEN ĺATTEMPTĺTOĺRESISTĺCAPITALlSĺCOLONISATIONĺOFĺTHEIRĺLIVESĺ 4URNERĺARGUESĺTHATĺSICKNESSĺCANĺALSOĺFUNCTIONĺASĺAĺDELIBERATEĺRESISTANCEĺTOĺTHEĺ

228

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DEMANDSĺOFĺTHEĺWORKINGĺWORLDĺANDĺTHATĺITĺISĺIMPORTANTĺTOĺkCOMPAREĺANDĺCONTRASTĺ SICKNESSĺANDĺCRIMEĺASĺTWOĺFORMSĺOFĺDEVIANCElĺĺ ĺBECAUSEĺTHEYĺIMPLYĺ OPPOSITEĺRELATIONSHIPSĺTOĺTHEĺCONCEPTĺOFĺRESPONSIBILITYĺANDĺTHUSĺREPRESENTĺLESSĺ ANDĺMOREĺDIRECTĺWAYSĺOFĺCONFRONTINGĺPOWERĺ#RIMEĺTENDSĺTOĺBEĺDEüNEDĺBYĺLEGALĺ CONCEPTSĺ OFĺ INTENTION ĺ IMPLYINGĺ CULPABILITYĺ ASĺ ONEĺ UNDERSTANDSĺ ANDĺ CHOOSESĺ ONElSĺACTIONSĺASĺINĺ0ROJECTĺ-AYHEMlSĺVANDALISM ĺ)NĺCONTRAST ĺ the sick role legitimises deviant behaviour by removing responsibility, since within the medical view one does not in fact choose to be sick in the same way that one might choose to commit a crime. However, sickness legitimises withdrawal from everyday expectations only on the assumption that sickness will be a short episode of behaviour under the regulation of a doctor. (Turner 1987: 216) )Nĺ4HEĺ-ACHINIST ĺ4REVORlSĺINSOMNIAĺANDĺEMACIATIONĺCANĺALSOĺBEĺSEENĺASĺRESIST ANCEĺTOĺTHEĺALIENATIONĺOFĺLIFEĺANDĺLABOURĺUNDERĺLATEĺCAPITALISMĺ4HEĺüLMĺSLOWLYĺUN COVERSĺTHEĺMYSTERYĺOFĺHISĺGUILTĺANDĺCHARTSĺHISĺWILLINGNESSĺTOĺACCEPTĺRESPONSIBIL ITYĺFORĺHISĺACTIONSĺASĺHEĺMOVESĺBEYONDĺSICKNESSĺTOĺSUBMITĺHIMSELFĺTOĺTHEĺJUDICIALĺ SYSTEMĺINĺAĺCONCLUSIONĺTHATĺISĺREPRESENTEDĺASĺTHEĺACHIEVEMENTĺOFĺJUSTICE .ARRATIVELYĺANDĺSTYLISTICALLY ĺ4HEĺ-ACHINISTĺISĺAĺMOREĺCONVENTIONALLYĺNOIRĺüLMĺ THANĺ &IGHTĺ #LUB ĺ Aĺ THRILLERĺ ABOUTĺ ESCALATINGĺ PARANOIAĺ INĺ WHICHĺ THEĺ PROTAGONISTĺ EVENTUALLYĺ REALISESĺ THATĺ THEĺ MYSTERIOUSĺ OTHERĺ HEĺ PURSUESĺ ORĺ ISĺ PURSUEDĺ BYĺ ISĺ REALLYĺANĺEXTERNALISEDĺPROJECTIONĺOFĺSOMEĺASPECTĺOFĺHISĺOWNĺSELFĺ)TĺOPENSĺWITHĺ 4REVORĺAPPARENTLYĺDUMPINGĺAĺCORPSEĺINĺTHEĺSEA ĺONLYĺFORĺTHEĺRUGĺINĺWHICHĺITĺISĺ WRAPPEDĺ TOĺ CATCHĺ ONĺ SOMETHINGĺ ANDĺ UNROLLĺ DOWNĺ THEĺ CONCRETEĺ SLIPWAYĺ4HEĺ IMAGEĺISĺDARKĺANDĺüLLEDĺWITHĺSHADOWS ĺTHEĺMUSICĺOMINOUS ĺTHEĺCAMERAĺANGLESĺ LOWĺ4HEĺCAMERAĺCUTSĺTOĺ4REVORlSĺDISTRESSEDĺpĺANDĺHAGGARDĺpĺFACEĺBEFOREĺWEĺCANĺ SEEĺTHEĺBODYĺSPILLĺOUTĺ!TĺTHEĺENDĺOFĺTHEĺüLM ĺWEĺRETURNĺTOĺTHISĺSCENEĺAND ĺTHISĺ TIME ĺWEĺSEEĺTHEĺRUGĺUNROLLĺTOĺREVEALĺITSĺEMPTINESSĺRATHERĺTHANĺ)VANlSĺCORPSEĺ 4HISĺMOMENTĺCONüRMSĺTHEĺVIEWERlSĺSUSPICIONĺTHATĺ)VAN ĺ4REVORlSĺTORMENTOR ĺISĺAĺ HALLUCINATIONĺGENERATEDĺBYĺHISĺSUPPRESSIONĺOFĺTHEĺMEMORYĺOFĺKILLINGĺAĺCHILDĺ 4HEĺ-ACHINISTlSĺEXTRAORDINARILYĺTRITEĺCONCLUSIONĺBLIGHTSĺITSĺPOTENTIALLYĺRADICALĺ CRITIQUE ĺREDUCINGĺ4REVORlSĺPARANOIDĺREADINGĺOFĺREALITYĺTOĺPERSONALĺPATHOLOGYĺANDĺ IMPLYINGĺTHATĺORDERĺMIGHTĺBEĺRESTOREDĺBYĺINDIVIDUALĺRECOGNITIONĺOFĺGUILTĺ7HATĺ ISĺMOSTĺINTRIGUINGĺABOUTĺTHISĺüLMĺISĺTHATĺFORĺMOSTĺOFĺITSĺDURATIONĺITĺAPPEARSĺTOĺBEĺ ABOUTĺSOMETHINGĺQUITEĺDIFFERENT ĺNAMELY ĺ4REVORlSĺSTRUGGLEĺWITHĺTHEĺALIENATINGĺ ANDĺ PHYSICALLYĺ DANGEROUSĺ ENVIRONMENTĺ OFĺ LATE CAPITALISTĺ MANUALĺ LABOURĺ4REVORĺ ISĺAĺMACHINISTĺATĺ.ATIONALĺ-ACHINE ĺAĺPLANTĺWHOSEĺPRODUCTĺISĺNEVERĺREVEALEDĺ )NĺTHEĺüRSTĺSCENEĺSETĺTHERE ĺTHEĺSUPERVISOR ĺ4UCKERĺ#RAIGĺ3TEVENSON ĺBERATESĺ SOMEONEĺ FORĺ TURNINGĺ OFFĺ Aĺ MACHINEĺ DURINGĺ MAINTENANCEĺ BECAUSEĺ POWERINGĺ ITĺ UPĺAGAINĺAFTERWARDSĺTAKESĺTOOĺLONGĺk7HEREĺAMĺ)ĺGOINGĺTOĺMAKEĺUPĺTHATĺSEVENĺ MINUTESlĺHEĺDEMANDSĺk9OURĺPAYĺCHECKlĺ4REVORĺINTERVENES ĺPOINTINGĺOUTĺTHATĺ SAFETYĺREGULATIONSĺMEANĺEMPLOYEESĺCANNOTĺBEĺPENALISEDĺINĺTHISĺWAY ĺPROMPTINGĺ

ANOREXIC SUBJECTIVITY IN FIGHT CLUB AND THE MACHINIST

229

4UCKERĺTOĺPUTĺHIMĺONĺHISĺkSHIT LISTlĺ4HEĺPRIORITISATIONĺOFĺPRODUCTIVITYĺANDĺTHUSĺOFĺ SURPLUS VALUEĺISĺHELDĺONLYĺSLIGHTLYĺINĺCHECKĺBYĺTHEĺČIMSYĺMECHANISMSĺOFĺUNIONĺ REPRESENTATIONĺ ANDĺ SAFETYĺ REGULATIONS ĺ BOTHĺ OFĺ WHICHĺ4REVORlSĺ SUPERIORSĺ CHAR ACTERISEĺASĺEMASCULATING ĺWHILEĺTHEĺDEPICTIONĺOFĺTHEĺPLANTĺSTRESSESĺTHEĺNEEDĺ FORĺTHEĺWORKERSĺTOĺACCOMMODATEĺTHEMSELVESĺTOĺTHEĺRELENTLESSĺPACEĺATĺWHICHĺ THEĺ MACHINESĺ PERFORMĺ THEIRĺ REPETITIVEĺ TASKSĺ4HEĺ MACHINES ĺ LIKEĺ THEĺ EMACIAT EDĺ4REVOR ĺAREĺANGULAR ĺSHARP EDGEDĺ"RUTALLYĺINDUSTRIAL ĺTHEYĺCONTRASTĺWITHĺTHEĺ ČESHYĺVULNERABILITYĺOFĺWORKERSlĺBODIES &ILMĺNOIRSĺSUCHĺASĺ$OUBLEĺ)NDEMNITYĺ ĺ&ORCEĺOFĺ%VILĺ ĺANDĺ0ITFALLĺ  ĺARTICULATEĺANĺANXIETYĺCONCERNINGĺTHEĺDISAPPEARANCEĺOFĺINDEPENDENTĺBUSI NESSESĺASĺCORPORATEĺCAPITALĺCONSOLIDATED ĺRESULTINGĺINĺSUBORDINATEĺRATHERĺTHANĺ AUTONOMOUSĺROLESĺFORĺMOSTĺMENĺWITHINĺTHEĺWORKFORCEĺ,IKEWISE ĺ4HEĺ-ACHINISTĺ HIGHLIGHTSĺLABOURĺCONDITIONS ĺALBEITĺBLUE ĺRATHERĺTHANĺWHITE COLLAR ĺINĺTHEĺINCREAS INGLYĺAUTOMATEDĺWORKPLACEĺ!Sĺ,OWEĺARGUES ĺTHEĺCHANGEDĺNATUREĺOFĺLABOUR ĺIN CLUDINGĺOFüCEĺLABOURĺWITHĺCOMPUTERS ĺHASĺRESULTEDĺINĺAĺkSYSTEMATICĺEQUIVALENCEĺ BETWEENĺHUMANSĺANDĺMACHINESĺ;WHICH=ĺHASĺYIELDEDĺAĺNEWĺSCIENCEĺpĺERGONOM ICSĺORĺHUMANĺFACTORSĺENGINEERINGĺ%RGONOMISTSĺDESIGNĺSYSTEMSĺWHICHĺINCLUDEĺ ANDĺTAKEĺINTOĺACCOUNTĺTHEĺNECESSARILYĺSLOWERĺANDĺLESSĺRELIABLEĺHUMANĺRESPONS ESĺWITHINĺTHEMlĺĺ ĺ4HEĺOVERALLĺTRAJECTORYĺOFĺTHISĺSCIENCE ĺHOWEVER ĺISĺTOĺ ADJUSTĺHUMANSĺTOĺüTĺTHEĺMACHINES ĺTOĺMAXIMISEĺTHEĺEXTRACTIONĺOFĺSURPLUS VALUE ĺ RENDERINGĺTHEĺPRODUCTIONĺPROCESSĺITSELFĺAĺSTRUGGLEĺBETWEENĺCAPITALĺANDĺLABOURĺ FORĺOWNERSHIPĺANDĺCONTROLĺOFĺTHEĺWORKERlSĺBODYĺ4HISĺSTRUGGLEĺISĺTYPICALLYĺASYM METRICAL ĺASĺ4REVORlSĺSEVERALĺRUN INSĺWITHĺHISĺMANAGERSĺDEMONSTRATE ĺWITHĺTHEĺ ISOLATEDĺ WORKERlSĺ RELATIVEĺ LACKĺ OFĺ POWERĺ ANALOGOUSĺ TOĺ THATĺ OFĺ Aĺ CHILDĺ TRYINGĺ TOĺ NEGOTIATEĺWITHĺPARENTSĺWHOĺALWAYSĺHAVEĺTHEĺüNALĺSAY ĺEVENĺIFĺTHEIRĺDECISIONSĺAREĺ ARBITRARYĺANDĺUNJUSTIüEDĺ/RBACHĺ ĺ+IMĺ#HERNINĺ ĺANDĺ(ELENĺ'REMIL LIONĺ ĺREADĺANOREXIA ĺAĺDISEASEĺWHICHĺEMERGESĺDURINGĺADOLESCENCE ĺASĺAĺ FORMĺOFĺSPEECH ĺAĺPROTESTĺTHATĺYOUNGĺWOMENĺMAKEĺAGAINSTĺTHEIRĺPOWERLESSNESSĺ THROUGHĺTHEIRĺBODIESĺ4REVORlSĺSTARVATIONĺCANĺBEĺUNDERSTOODĺINĺAĺSIMILARĺWAY 4HROUGHĺ WORKPLACEĺ CONČICTS ĺ 4HEĺ -ACHINISTĺ ARTICULATESĺ ANXIETIESĺ ABOUTĺ WHITEĺ MENlSĺ GROWINGĺ MARGINALISATIONĺ WITHINĺ THEĺ CONTEXTĺ OFĺ AUTOMATIONĺ ANDĺ THEĺDESKILLINGĺOFĺLABOURĺOFTENĺACCOMPANIEDĺINĺTHEĺREALĺWORLDĺBYĺTHEIRĺDISPLACE MENTĺBYĺNON WHITEĺMENĺANDĺWOMEN ĺWHOĺAREĺTYPICALLYĺPAIDĺLESS ĺ/VERĺTHEĺPASTĺ THIRTYĺYEARS ĺTHEĺEROSIONĺOFĺLABOURĺCONDITIONSĺSOĺASĺTOĺINCREASEĺPROüTABILITYĺHASĺ BECOMEĺNORMALISED ĺWITHĺTHEĺTHREATĺOFĺUNEMPLOYMENTĺUSEDĺTOĺDISCIPLINEĺTHEĺ LABOURĺFORCEĺk!ĺ#ONGRESSIONALĺSTUDYĺINĺĺREPORTEDĺTHATĺITĺWASĺNOTĺTHEĺRISEĺOFĺ SINGLE PARENTĺHOUSEHOLDS ĺBUTĺUNEMPLOYMENTĺANDĺFALLINGĺWAGESĺTHATĺMOSTLYĺAC COUNTEDĺFORĺTHEĺSEVENĺMILLIONĺINCREASEĺINĺTHEĺNUMBERĺOFĺPOORĺ!MERICANSĺSINCEĺ lĺ,OWEĺĺ ĺ&URTHERMORE ĺAUTOMATIONĺINCREASESĺTHEĺDANGERĺFORĺHU MANĺ BODIESĺ pĺ THEĺ WORKPLACEĺ ISĺ DESIGNEDĺ FORĺ THEĺ MACHINES ĺ NOTĺ THEĺ PEOPLEĺ pĺ ANDĺCAPITALĺISĺRELUCTANTĺTOĺADOPTĺCOSTLYĺSAFETYĺMEASURESĺTHATĺMIGHTĺDECREASEĺ SURPLUS VALUEĺASĺEARLYĺASĺ ĺ

230

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Business Week reported that the speed of automation has led to a radical restructuring of work, including the devaluation of current work skills and the creation of new ones at an ever-increasing rate, so that 45 per cent of the total labour force has already been affected … Hazards and stresses are built into the workplace as part of the labour process, but usually are over-looked for the sake of capital accumulation. (Lowe 1995: 31, 35) !NĺAUTOMATEDĺWORKPLACEĺSUCHĺASĺ.ATIONALĺ-ACHINEĺTHUSĺREPRESENTSĺTWOĺOFĺTHEĺ ANXIETIESĺABOUTĺMASCULINEĺSUFüCIENCYĺCOMMONLYĺEXPLOREDĺBYĺüLMĺNOIRĺWORKINGĺ MENlSĺ DECREASINGĺ AUTONOMYĺ ASĺ CYBERNETICĺ SYSTEMSĺ REINFORCEĺ HIERARCHIESĺ ANDĺ THEĺMAXIMISATIONĺOFĺSURPLUS VALUE ĺANDĺTHEIRĺINCREASINGĺVULNERABILITYĺASĺTHEYĺAC COMMODATEĺTHEMSELVESĺTOĺAĺMECHANISEDĺANDĺBUREAUCRATISEDĺWORKPLACE 4HEĺ-ACHINISTĺDISPLACESĺANXIETIESĺABOUTĺBODIESĺANDĺMACHINESĺONĺTOĺ4REVORlSĺ AUTOMOBILEĺACCIDENT ĺBUTĺBEFOREĺTHEĺMYSTERYĺISĺSOLVEDĺANDĺTHISĺkTRUTHlĺREVEALED ĺ TENSIONĺ CENTRESĺ ONĺ HISĺ WORKPLACEĺ .EARĺ THEĺ BEGINNING ĺ HEĺ ISĺ CALLEDĺ INTOĺ THEĺ MANAGERlSĺOFüCEĺANDĺASKEDĺABOUTĺHISĺDISTRESSEDĺAPPEARANCEĺ4HEĺQUERYĺkANY THINGĺWEĺCANĺHELPĺWITHlĺISĺNOTĺMOTIVATEDĺBYĺCONCERNĺFORĺHISĺWELL BEINGĺBUTĺISĺ ANĺACTĺOFĺINTIMIDATIONĺINĺRESPONSEĺTOĺHISĺkTROUBLEMAKINGlĺINSISTENCEĺONĺSAFETYĺ REGULATIONSĺANDĺFREEDOMĺFROMĺHARASSMENTĺ7HENĺHEĺREPLIES ĺk)ĺSHOULDNlTĺEVENĺ BEĺ INĺ HEREĺ WITHOUTĺ Aĺ UNIONĺ REP lĺ4UCKERĺ COMMENTSĺ TOĺ THEIRĺ BOSS ĺ k3EEĺ WHATĺ )ĺ MEANlĺ&OLLOWINGĺTHISĺMEETING ĺ4REVORĺkMEETSlĺ)VANĺFORĺTHEĺüRSTĺTIME ĺANDĺWHENĺ HEĺRETURNSĺTOĺTHEĺČOORĺTOĺASSISTĺ-ILLERĺ-ICHAELĺ)RONSIDE ĺTOĺREPAIRĺAĺMACHINE ĺHEĺ ISĺDISTRACTEDĺBYĺ)VAN ĺWHO ĺINĺTHEĺDISTANCEĺANDĺOBSCUREDĺBYĺMACHINES ĺMAKESĺ Aĺ THROAT CUTTINGĺ GESTUREĺ4REVORĺ ACCIDENTALLYĺ BACKSĺ INTOĺ Aĺ SWITCH ĺ THEĺ MACHINEĺ STARTSĺUPĺANDĺ-ILLERlSĺSLEEVEĺISĺCAUGHTĺINĺAĺBELTĺWHICHĺPULLSĺHISĺARMĺTOWARDSĺAĺ VERTICALĺBLADEĺ4REVORĺTRIESĺTOĺFREEĺ-ILLER ĺTOĺSTOPĺTHEĺMACHINE ĺTOĺGETĺITSĺPOWERĺ CUT ĺBUTĺNOTHINGĺCANĺBEĺDONEĺINĺTIMEĺ4HEĺPACEĺOFĺTHEĺMACHINEĺISĺUNYIELDING ĺ RELENTLESSĺ-ILLERlSĺARMĺISĺRIPPEDĺOFFĺATĺTHEĺELBOWĺ$EČESHEDĺBONES ĺCAUGHTĺINĺ THEĺMACHINE ĺSPINĺAROUNDĺANDĺAROUNDĺUNTILĺSOMEONEĺüNALLYĺMANAGESĺTOĺTURNĺITĺ OFFĺ5NSURPRISINGLY ĺMANAGEMENTlSĺRESPONSEĺISĺTOĺBLAMEĺTHEĺINDIVIDUALSĺINVOLVEDĺ pĺMAINLYĺ4REVORĺBUTĺALSOĺ-ILLERĺpĺRATHERĺTHANĺTOĺCHANGEĺTHEIRĺSYSTEMSĺORĺBETTERĺ ENFORCEĺSAFETYĺREGULATIONSĺ4REVORĺISĺAGAINĺCALLEDĺTOĺHISĺMANAGERlSĺOFüCEĺFORĺAĺ MEETINGĺINĺWHICHĺHEĺISĺGRILLEDĺUNTILĺHEĺADMITSĺRESPONSIBILITYĺFORĺ-ILLERlSĺMUTILA TION 4REVORĺBECOMESĺINCREASINGLYĺPARANOID ĺREADINGĺTHEĺOTHERĺWORKERSlĺHOSTILITYĺ TOĺHIMĺpĺkNOBODYĺWANTSĺYOUĺHERElĺpĺANDĺHISĺSUPERVISORlSĺDENIALĺOFĺ)VANlSĺEXIST ENCEĺASĺPARTĺOFĺAĺLARGERĺCONSPIRACYĺ!ĺFEWĺDAYSĺLATER ĺ4REVORĺHIMSELFĺISĺALMOSTĺ INJUREDĺWHENĺAĺMACHINEĺHEĺISĺREPAIRINGĺCOMESĺTOĺLIFEĺ7HENĺHEĺISĺFREEDĺFROMĺ ITSĺDANGEROUSĺGRIP ĺHEĺTURNSĺONĺTHEĺMENĺAROUNDĺHIM ĺACCUSINGĺTHEMĺOFĺSETTINGĺ HIMĺUPĺINĺREVENGEĺFORĺ-ILLER ĺWHOMĺHEĺBEGINSĺTOĺBELIEVEĺISĺCONSPIRINGĺWITHĺ)VANĺ AGAINSTĺHIMĺ3UCHĺPARANOIAĺHIDESĺTHEĺREALITYĺTHATĺTHEĺWORLDĺMIGHTĺBEĺkAGAINSTlĺ

ANOREXIC SUBJECTIVITY IN FIGHT CLUB AND THE MACHINIST

231

ONEĺFORĺSTRUCTURALĺRATHERĺTHANĺPERSONALĺREASONSĺ4REVORlSĺNEARĺACCIDENT ĺSOĺSOONĺ AFTERĺ-ILLERlS ĺPOINTSĺTOĺANĺOVERALLĺDISREGARDĺFORĺWORKERĺSAFETYĺRATHERĺTHANĺAĺCON SPIRACYĺORGANISEDĺAGAINSTĺHIM ĺBUTĺITĺIS ĺPARADOXICALLY ĺMOREĺCOMFORTINGĺTOĺBE LIEVEĺTHATĺONElSĺSUFFERINGĺISĺPERSONALLYĺDIRECTEDĺRATHERĺTHANĺFACEĺTHEĺALIENATINGĺ REALITYĺOFĺAĺWORLDĺMADEĺUNHOMELYĺBYĺCAPITALĺ4HEĺ-ACHINISTĺDOESĺEVENTUALLYĺOF FERĺTHISĺCOMFORT ĺREDUCINGĺ4REVORlSĺCONDITIONĺTOĺAĺCOMBINATIONĺOFĺINDIVIDUALĺGUILT ĺ PSYCHICĺ MECHANISMSĺ OFĺ SUPPRESSIONĺ ANDĺ THEĺ HALLUCINATORYĺ CONSEQUENCESĺ OFĺ LONG TERMĺINSOMNIAĺANDĺSTARVATIONĺ(OWEVER ĺIFĺWEĺRETAINĺOURĺFOCUSĺONĺ4REVORlSĺ EXPERIENCEĺATĺWORK ĺANĺALTERNATIVEĺREASONĺFORĺHISĺPARANOIAĺEMERGESĺ )NĺVOLUMEĺONEĺOFĺ#APITAL ĺ-ARXĺSUGGESTSĺTHATĺWHATĺMAKESĺHUMANĺBEINGĺ DISTINCTIVEĺFROMĺANIMALĺBEINGĺISĺLABOURĺpĺTHATĺIS ĺACTIVITYĺWHICHĺTRANSFORMSĺTHEĺ MATERIALĺWORLDĺpĺPERFORMEDĺCONSCIOUSLYĺANDĺINĺAĺSOCIALĺCONTEXTĺ7HILEĺSPIDERSĺ WEAVEĺWEBSĺANDĺBEESĺCONSTRUCTĺNESTS ĺUNLIKEĺHUMANSĺTHEYĺDOĺSOĺINSTINCTIVELY ĺ WITHOUTĺIMAGINATIONĺORĺPLANNINGĺ(UMANĺLABOUR ĺINĺCONTRAST ĺISĺAĺCONSTANTĺDIA LECTICALĺSHUTTLINGĺBETWEENĺIMAGINATIVEĺCONSTRUCTIONĺANDĺMATERIALĺCONSTRUCTIONĺ )NĺTHEĺCONTEXTĺOFĺANĺALIENATINGĺECONOMICĺSYSTEMĺWHICHĺSOĺDOMINATESĺHUMANĺ LIFE ĺSUCHĺINTERACTIONSĺWITHĺMATERIALĺREALITYĺCANĺBEĺSEENĺASĺFUNDAMENTALLYĺPARA NOID ĺASĺCONSTANTLYĺREORDERINGĺELEMENTSĺOFĺAĺPRE EXISTINGĺORDERĺSOĺASĺTOĺFAN TASISEĺ Aĺ MEANINGFULĺ CONTEXTĺ FORĺ THEĺ ALIENATEDĺ SELFĺ SEEĺ "OULDĺ  ĺ4REVORlSĺ PARANOIAĺSEPARATESĺFROMĺANDĺTHUSĺDRAWSĺATTENTIONĺTOĺSOMEĺOFĺTHEĺGAPSĺINĺTHEĺ ILLUSIONĺ THATĺ WEĺ COMMONLYĺ TAKEĺ TOĺ BEĺ REALITY ĺ PARTICULARLYĺ INĺ TERMSĺ OFĺ UNDER STANDINGĺ THEĺ RELATIONĺ BETWEENĺ LABOURĺ ANDĺ CAPITALĺ INĺ THEĺ kNATURALlĺ FUNCTIONINGĺ OFĺTHEĺECONOMYĺ4REVORĺISĺRIGHTĺTOĺBELIEVEĺHIMSELFĺTHEĺSUBJECTĺOFĺAĺWORKPLACEĺ CONSPIRACY ĺ BUTĺ ISĺ WRONGĺ TOĺ IDENTIFYĺ ITĺ WITHĺ INDIVIDUAL ĺ VENGEFULĺ WORKERSĺ )N STEAD ĺTHEĺkCONSPIRACYlĺISĺAGAINSTĺTHEĺLIMITATIONSĺOFĺHUMANĺBODIES ĺRENDERINGĺ THEMĺEXPENDABLEĺWHENĺTHEYĺFAILĺTOĺMEETĺTHEĺSTANDARDSĺSETĺBYĺMACHINESĺ%VENĺ 3TEVIE ĺTHEĺPROSTITUTEĺ4REVORĺREGULARLYĺVISITS ĺREFERSĺTOĺHERĺBATTEREDĺFACEĺASĺANĺ kOCCUPATIONALĺ HAZARDlĺ ANDĺ SEEMSĺ UNABLEĺ TOĺ IMAGINEĺ Aĺ SYSTEMĺ INĺ WHICHĺ SHEĺ WOULDĺNOTĺFACEĺSUCHĺRISKS 4HEĺNEOLIBERALĺFANTASYĺOFĺTHEĺECONOMYĺpĺkTHEĺBELIEFĺINĺTHEĺSELF CORRECTING ĺ EQUILIBRIALĺMECHANISMĺOFĺTHEĺMARKET ĺIFĺITĺWEREĺFREEDĺFROMĺTHEĺINTERFERENCEĺOFĺ üSCALĺ POLICIESĺ ANDĺ GOVERNMENTĺ REGULATIONSlĺ ,OWEĺ ĺ  ĺ pĺ MIGHTĺ ALSOĺ BEĺ UNDERSTOODĺ THROUGHĺ OURĺ MODELĺ OFĺ ANOREXICĺ SUBJECTIVITYĺ 0OSTULATINGĺ kNATURALlĺ MECHANISMSĺOFĺADJUSTMENTĺANDĺREüNEMENTĺCONSTRUESĺTHEĺECONOMYĺASĺORGANIC ĺ ASĺ SOMETHINGĺ WHICHĺ WILLĺ kNATURALLYlĺ ACHIEVEĺ ANĺ EFüCIENTĺ ANDĺ kBESTlĺ BALANCINGĺ POINTĺpĺLIKEĺAĺHEALTHYĺBODYĺWHOSEĺFOODĺINTAKEĺANDĺENERGYĺEXPENDITUREĺAREĺINĺ EQUILIBRIUMĺ4REVORlSĺEMACIATEDĺBODY ĺWHOSEĺINPUTĺANDĺOUTPUTĺAREĺRADICALLYĺOUTĺ OFĺBALANCE ĺPROTESTSĺTHEĺIDEOLOGYĺOFĺNATURALĺEQUILIBRIUMĺ$ESPITEĺBEINGĺSOĺVISIBLYĺ DAMAGED ĺHISĺISĺTHEĺIDEALĺLABOURINGĺBODYĺCAPITALĺDESIRESĺRARELYĺEATINGĺANDĺNEVERĺ SLEEPING ĺHEĺISĺLIKEĺMACHINESĺWHICHĺNEEDĺNEVERĺRESTĺORĺGOĺOFČINEĺFORĺMAINTE NANCEĺ4HEĺHORRIüCĺVISIONĺOFĺ4REVORlSĺBODYĺANDĺTHEĺKNOWLEDGEĺTHATĺ"ALEĺASĺAĺ WORKERĺDIDĺTHISĺTOĺHIMSELF ĺMAKESĺVISIBLEĺCAPITALlSĺREDUCTIONĺOFĺHUMANĺBEINGSĺ

232

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Disciplined apparatus: The Machinist

TOĺLABOURĺPOWERĺ)TĺISĺAĺBODYĺWHICHĺCONFRONTSĺUSĺWITHĺAĺSTARKĺVISIONĺOFĺPRECISELYĺ HOWĺLITTLEĺISĺGIVENĺTOĺLABOURĺUNDERĺCAPITALISMlSĺkNATURALĺEQUILIBRIUMl 3HIRTLESSĺANDĺSHOTĺINĺPROüLE ĺHISĺABDOMENĺAĺCONCAVEĺHOLLOW ĺTHEĺSPECTACLEĺ OFĺ"ALElSĺBODYĺCONTRASTSĺSHARPLYĺWITHĺ0ITTlSĺINĺ&IGHTĺ#LUBĺ"OTHĺTHEĺPRODUCTSĺOFĺ DISCIPLINEĺANDĺCONTROL ĺ0ITTlSĺSEEMSĺATĺONEĺWITHĺTHEĺALLURINGĺWEIGHTLESSNESSĺANDĺ APPARENTĺIMMATERIALITYĺOFĺTHEĺüLMlSĺ#')ĺEFFECTS ĺWHEREASĺ"ALElSĺISĺRELENTLESSLYĺ MATERIALĺ*USTĺASĺ#')ĺEFFECTSĺCONCEALĺTHEĺLABOURĺTHATĺPRODUCESĺTHEM ĺSOĺ0ITTlSĺ FETISHISEDĺ TORSOĺ DISAVOWSĺ THEĺ LABOURĺ OFĺ CREATINGĺ ANDĺ MAINTAININGĺ ITĺ "ALE ĺ INĺ CONTRAST ĺGOESĺTOOĺFAR ĺTEARSĺOPENĺTHEĺCOMMODITYĺFETISHĺTOĺREVEALĺTHEĺSUFFERING ĺ DISTORTEDĺBODYĺOFĺLABOUR -ARXĺCONTRASTSĺFULLĺHUMANĺSPECIES BEINGĺWITHĺTHEĺALIENATEDĺEXISTENCEĺOFĺLIFEĺ UNDERĺCAPITALISM ĺINĺWHICHĺRELATIONSĺBETWEENĺPEOPLEĺAREĺDISPLACEDĺBYĺRELATIONSĺ BETWEENĺTHINGSĺ4HEĺDISREGARDĺ.ATIONALĺ-ACHINEĺHASĺFORĺITSĺEMPLOYEESĺISĺONEĺ EXPRESSIONĺOFĺTHISĺALIENATIONĺWHICHĺABSTRACTSĺLABOURĺPOWERĺFROMĺTHEĺFULL ĺSENSU OUSĺHUMANĺLIFEĺ!LTHOUGHĺTHISĺABSTRACTIONĺCANĺNEVERĺBEĺTOTAL ĺTHEĺLOGICĺOFĺCAPITALĺ REDUCESĺHUMANSĺINĺTHISĺWAYĺTOĺTHEIRĺLABOURĺPLUSĺTHEĺTIMEĺNECESSARYĺTOĺREPRO DUCEĺTHATĺPOWERĺTHROUGHĺMINIMALĺFOOD ĺRESTĺANDĺRECUPERATIONĺpĺANĺIDEALĺ4REVORĺ APPROACHESĺ 5NDERĺ SUCHĺ Aĺ SYSTEM ĺ HUMANĺ SUBJECTIVITYĺ ISĺ DISTORTEDĺ SOĺ ASĺ TOĺ TREATĺALLĺOURĺRELATIONSĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺLOGICĺOFĺTHEĺCOMMODITYĺFORMĺUNABLEĺTOĺHAVEĺ AĺkRELATIONSHIPĺTOĺTHEĺWORLDĺ;THATĺIS=ĺAĺHUMANĺONElĺANDĺTHUSĺUNABLEĺTOĺkEXCHANGEĺ LOVEĺ;ONLY=ĺFORĺLOVE ĺTRUSTĺFORĺTRUST ĺETClĺ-ARXĺĺ ĺ4REVORĺSTRUGGLESĺWITHĺ PRECISELYĺTHISĺDIFüCULTYĺ4RAPPEDĺWITHINĺTHEĺCOMMODITYĺRELATIONSĺOFĺCAPITAL ĺHEĺ TELLSĺ-ILLER ĺk)ĺWISHĺTHEREĺWASĺSOMEĺWAYĺ)ĺCOULDĺREPAYĺYOUlĺ3IMILARLYĺALIENATEDĺ FROMĺHISĺOWNĺBODY ĺ-ILLERĺJOKES ĺk7ELL ĺFORĺSTARTERSĺYOUĺCOULDĺGIVEĺMEĺYOURĺLEFTĺ ARM lĺBUTĺISĺCLEARLYĺRELATIVELYĺCONTENTĺWITHĺHISĺüNANCIALĺCOMPENSATION ĺEFFECTIVELYĺ SELLINGĺHISĺARMĺSOĺASĺNEVERĺTOĺHAVEĺTOĺWORKĺAGAIN 4REVORĺENVISIONSĺALLĺPERSONALĺRELATIONSHIPSĺTHROUGHĺMETAPHORSĺOFĺEXCHANGEĺ )NDEED ĺHISĺONLYĺAFFECTIVEĺRELATIONSHIP ĺWITHĺ3TEVIE ĺISĺBASEDĺONĺüNANCIALĺTRANS ACTIONSĺ!LTHOUGHĺHERĺEARLIERĺEXPRESSIONSĺOFĺCONCERNĺFORĺHIMĺMIGHTĺBEĺSEENĺASĺ FALLINGĺ WITHINĺ THEĺ BOUNDSĺ OFĺ THEIRĺ PROFESSIONALĺ RELATIONSHIPĺ pĺ SHEĺ HALF JOKINGLYĺ

ANOREXIC SUBJECTIVITY IN FIGHT CLUB AND THE MACHINIST

233

TELLSĺ HIM ĺ k9OUlREĺ MYĺ BESTĺ CLIENT ĺ CANlTĺ AFFORDĺ TOĺ LOSEĺ YOUlĺ pĺ SHEĺ DOESĺ TRYĺ TOĺ DECOMMODIFYĺTHEIRĺRELATIONSHIPĺTHEĺüRSTĺTIMEĺWEĺSEEĺHERĺSHEĺREMINDSĺ4REVOR ĺ WHOĺISĺDRESSINGĺTOĺLEAVE ĺTHATĺHEĺSTILLĺHASĺkHALFĺANĺHOURlĺANDĺOFFERSĺTOĺCOOKĺHIMĺ SOMEĺEGGSĺLATER ĺSHEĺOFFERSĺTOĺLETĺHIMĺSLEEPĺATĺHERĺPLACEĺkOFFĺTHEĺMETERlĺ(OW EVER ĺ3TEVIEĺANDĺ4REVORĺAREĺBOTHĺSOĺDAMAGEDĺBYĺTHEIRĺLIVESĺASĺSUBJECTS FOR CAPITALĺ THATĺ ULTIMATELYĺ THEYĺ AREĺ UNABLEĺ TOĺ ESTABLISHĺ Aĺ RELATIONSHIPĺ BEYONDĺ EXCHANGEĺ 7HENĺ4REVORĺFEELSĺMOSTĺTHREATENED ĺSHEĺOFFERSĺCOMFORTĺASĺAĺFRIENDĺRATHERĺTHANĺ AĺSERVICEĺPROVIDER ĺANDĺSUCHĺMOMENTSĺLEADĺTOĺHERĺAWKWARDĺOFFERĺOFĺAĺkNORMALlĺ RELATIONSHIP ĺASKINGĺWITHĺBOTHĺAĺSELF CONSCIOUSĺIRONYĺANDĺHOPE ĺk!REĺYOUĺGOINGĺ TOĺRESCUEĺMEĺFROMĺTHISĺMISERABLEĺLIFEĺORĺWHATlĺ4HEYĺDECIDEĺTOĺTRYĺTOĺMAKEĺAĺLIFEĺ TOGETHERĺBEYONDĺPROSTITUTE AND CLIENT ĺBUTĺITĺISĺNOTĺTOĺBEĺ%VENĺ3TEVIElSĺFANTASYĺ OFĺESCAPEĺFROMĺAĺCOMMODIüEDĺEXISTENCEĺISĺEXPRESSEDĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺCLICHÀSĺOFĺ POPULARĺCULTUREĺANDĺINCORPORATESĺANĺEXPECTATIONĺOFĺDISAPPOINTMENTĺ3HEĺPLANSĺAĺ FUTUREĺINĺWHICHĺSHEĺCLEANSĺOUTĺHERĺAPARTMENT ĺREDECORATESĺTHEĺKITCHENĺSOĺASĺTOĺ MAKEĺITĺkAĺWHITEĺBEAUTIFULĺPLACElĺWITHĺkAĺDECENTĺSTOVElĺANDĺGETSĺAĺNEWĺJOBĺASĺAĺ MENSWEARĺSALESPERSONĺWITHĺTHEĺLUXURYĺOFĺkPAIDĺVACATIONSlĺ4HEREĺISĺSOMETHINGĺ SADĺABOUTĺTHEĺSMALLNESSĺOFĺHERĺVISIONĺOFĺAĺBETTERĺLIFEĺAND ĺASĺHERĺOFFSCREENĺVOICEĺ FADESĺINTOĺAĺMURMUR ĺ4REVOR ĺEXAMININGĺHERĺPHOTOGRAPHS ĺCONVINCESĺHIMSELFĺTHATĺ SHEĺISĺPARTĺOFĺTHEĺCONSPIRACYĺ(ERĺPATHETICĺDREAMSĺAREĺSHATTEREDĺWHENĺ4REVORĺ CONFRONTSĺHER ĺCALLINGĺHERĺAĺWHORE ĺRETURNINGĺHERĺTOĺHERĺLIMITEDĺEXISTENCEĺASĺAĺ WORKERĺWHOSEĺBODYĺISĺFORĺSALE 4REVORlSĺRELATIONSHIPĺWITHĺ-ARIEĺ!ITANAĺ3¸NCHEZ 'IJÊN ĺHISĺWAITRESSĺINĺTHEĺ AIRPORTĺCOFFEEĺSHOPĺHEĺVISITSĺEVERYĺNIGHT ĺISĺLIKEWISEĺCOMMODIüEDĺ7HENĺTHEYĺ GOĺONĺAĺDATE ĺSHEĺTELLSĺHIMĺTHATĺHEĺDOESĺNOTĺNEEDĺTOĺkBUYĺ;HER=ĺCOMPANIONSHIPlĺ BYĺLEAVINGĺSUCHĺGENEROUSĺTIPSĺ7HENĺITĺISĺLATERĺREVEALEDĺTHATĺTHISĺENTIREĺRELATION SHIPĺISĺAĺHALLUCINATIONĺBASEDĺONĺHISĺDESIREĺTOĺCOMPENSATEĺTHEĺMOTHERĺWHOSEĺ CHILDĺ HEĺ KILLED ĺ THISĺ IMPULSEĺ TOWARDSĺ MONETARYĺ EXCHANGEĺ BECOMESĺ SIMILARĺ TOĺ HISĺDESIREĺTOĺkREPAYlĺ-ILLERĺ4HEĺüLMlSĺCONCLUSIONĺINSISTSĺTHATĺTHEĺONLYĺWAYĺ4REVORĺ CANĺkBALANCElĺTHISĺRELATIONSHIPĺISĺBYĺTURNINGĺHIMSELFĺINTOĺTHEĺPOLICEĺANDĺALLOWINGĺ kJUSTICElĺ TOĺ TAKEĺ ITSĺ COURSEĺ4HEĺ CONTRASTĺ BETWEENĺ THISĺ ANDĺ THEĺ -ILLERĺ PLOTLINEĺ REVEALSĺ THEĺ DEGREEĺ TOĺ WHICHĺ CAPITALISMĺ DISAVOWSĺ THEĺ DAMAGEĺ ITĺ DOESĺ TOĺ THEĺ BODIESĺOFĺWORKERSĺ!ĺSUMĺOFĺMONEYĺWASĺSUFüCIENTĺCOMPENSATIONĺFORĺ-ILLERlSĺIN JURYĺ)NDEED ĺHEĺEVEN ĺWITHĺSOMEĺIRONY ĺCALLSĺHIMSELFĺkLUCKYlĺANDĺBUYSĺHIMSELFĺANĺ EXPENSIVEĺCARĺ)NĺCONTRAST ĺ4REVORĺMUSTĺBEĺJUDGEDĺGUILTYĺANDĺJAILEDĺFORĺTHEĺFATALĺ DAMAGEĺHISĺCARĺDIDĺTOĺTHEĺCHILDĺpĺAĺüNANCIALĺEXCHANGEĺISĺSOMEHOWĺNOTĺENOUGHĺ 4HEĺüNALĺSHOTĺOFĺTHEĺMOVIEĺSHOWSĺ4REVOR ĺINĺHISĺPUREĺWHITEĺCELL ĺGRATEFULLYĺDRIFT INGĺOFFĺTOĺSLEEPĺATĺLAST ĺRESTOREDĺTOĺkHEALTHlĺBYĺHISĺADMISSIONĺOFĺGUILTĺ#APITAL ĺ HOWEVER ĺNEVERĺHASĺTOĺADMITĺGUILTĺFORĺTHEĺDAMAGEĺDONEĺTOĺWORKERSlĺBODIESĺBYĺ ITSĺMACHINESĺANDĺPROCESSESĺ 4HEĺ DENOUEMENT ĺ WHICHĺ SHIFTSĺ THEĺ FOCUSĺ FROMĺ THEĺ WORKPLACEĺ TOĺ THEĺ AC CIDENT ĺ REDUCESĺ4REVORlSĺ CONDITIONĺ TOĺ INDIVIDUALĺ PATHOLOGYĺ ANDĺ PERSONALĺ GUILTĺ (AVINGĺDRAWNĺATTENTIONĺTOĺTHEĺWAYSĺTHATĺBODIES ĺMACHINESĺANDĺRESPONSIBILITYĺ

234

NEO-NOIR

AREĺ CONSTRUCTEDĺ DIFFERENTLYĺ WITHINĺ THEĺ WORKPLACE ĺ THEĺ BANALĺ ENDINGĺ ABANDONSĺ THEĺCRITIQUEĺOFĺTHEĺVULNERABILITYĺOFĺLIFEĺUNDERĺCAPITALISMĺ7HILEĺTHEĺüLMĺOFFERSĺAĺ CLOSINGĺIMAGEĺOFĺCATHARTICĺABSOLUTION ĺITĺCANĺALSOĺBEĺREADĺINĺTERMSĺOFĺTHEĺCRITIQUEĺ THISĺ IMAGEĺ DISAVOWSĺ 2EDUCEDĺ FROMĺ FULLĺ HUMANĺ BEINGĺ TOĺ Aĺ ONE DIMENSIONALĺ COMPONENTĺWITHINĺTHEĺPENALĺSYSTEM ĺ4REVORlSĺNEWĺSITUATIONĺREPLICATESĺTHEĺLOGICĺ OFĺCAPITALĺWHICHĺHADĺREDUCEDĺHIMĺTOĺMEREĺLABOUR POWERĺ(ISĺIMPRISONMENTĺCANĺ BEĺUNDERSTOODĺASĺEVIDENCEĺOFĺTHEĺUBIQUITYĺOFĺRELATIONSHIPSĺBASEDĺONĺTHEĺNEXUSĺ OFĺEXCHANGEĺHEĺPAYSĺFORĺHISĺkCRIMElĺWITHĺHISĺBODYĺRATHERĺTHANĺMONEY ĺHANDINGĺ OVERĺ HISĺ FULLĺ SPECIES BEINGĺ TOĺ Aĺ DISCIPLINARYĺ APPARATUSĺ WHICHĺ WILLĺ FURTHERĺ REGI MENTĺANDĺCIRCUMSCRIBEĺHISĺLIFEĺ/NEĺSCENEĺNEARĺTHEĺENDĺOFĺTHEĺüLMĺSUGGESTSĺ THATĺ4REVORĺHASĺUNDERSTOODĺSOMETHINGĺOFĺTHISĺLOGICĺ!SĺHEĺBOXESĺUPĺHISĺPOSSES SIONS ĺHISĺLANDLADYĺADMIRESĺAĺGLASSĺBOWLĺANDĺASKSĺIFĺHEĺWOULDĺSELLĺITĺTOĺHERĺ(Eĺ REFUSES ĺINDICATINGĺTHATĺITĺHASĺSENTIMENTALĺVALUE ĺBUTĺTHENĺTELLSĺHERĺTHATĺAĺCHARITYĺ WILLĺCOMEĺBYĺLATERĺFORĺHISĺBELONGINGSĺ4REVORĺREFUSESĺEXCHANGEĺHERE ĺGIVINGĺUPĺ EVERYTHINGĺ HEĺ HASĺ ANDĺ IS ĺ INĺ ORDERĺ TOĺ SURRENDERĺ TOĺ THEĺ PUNITIVEĺ EMBRACEĺ OFĺ Aĺ MOREĺTOTALĺEXCHANGE

Conclusion "OTHĺ&IGHTĺ#LUBĺANDĺ4HEĺ-ACHINISTĺUSEĺNOIRĺTECHNIQUESĺANDĺMOTIFSĺTOĺREPRE SENTĺTHEĺANXIETYĺOFĺTHEĺMASCULINEĺSUBJECTĺUNDERĺLATE CAPITALISMĺ5NFORTUNATELY ĺ HOWEVER ĺBOTHĺALSOĺRETREATĺINTOĺPATHOLOGISINGĺTHEIRĺINDIVIDUALĺPROTAGONISTSĺRATH ERĺTHANĺCONDEMNINGĺTHEĺSTRUCTURESĺWHICHĺPRODUCEĺSUCHĺPATHOLOGIESĺ)NĺBOTHĺ üLMS ĺCONTROLĺANDĺDISCIPLINEĺOFĺTHEĺBODYĺREPRESENTĺTHEĺMALEĺSUBJECTlSĺATTEMPTĺ TOĺASSERTĺAUTONOMYĺAGAINSTĺANĺALIENATINGĺANDĺDISEMPOWERINGĺSYSTEMĺ)NĺTHEĺ REALĺWORLD ĺANOREXIAĺISĺOFTENĺDISPLACEDĺONĺTOĺTHEĺPERSONALĺORĺFAMILIALĺPATHOLOGYĺ OFĺTHEĺINDIVIDUALĺINVOLVED ĺUNDERSTOODĺASĺREBELLIONĺAGAINSTĺANĺOVERLYĺCONTROLLINGĺ MOTHERĺORĺAĺREFUSALĺTOĺENTERĺPUBERTYĺDUEĺTOĺAĺFEARĺOFĺSEXĺ3IMILARLY ĺTHESEĺüLMSlĺ INADEQUATEĺCONCLUSIONSĺREDUCEĺTHEIRĺPROTAGONISTSlĺPROTESTĺTOĺMEREĺINDIVIDUALĺ COMPLAINTSĺTHEĺDESIREĺFORĺAĺBETTERĺPLACEĺWITHINĺTHEĺSYSTEMĺINĺ&IGHTĺ#LUBĺANDĺ THEĺNEEDĺTOĺCONSTRUCTĺGUILTĺTHROUGHĺINDIVIDUALĺRESPONSIBILITYĺINĺ4HEĺ-ACHINISTĺ 4HEĺLIMITATIONSĺOFĺTHESEĺENDINGSĺDEMONSTRATEĺTHEĺDIFüCULTIESĺOFĺUNDERSTANDINGĺ THEĺWORLDĺTHROUGHĺTHEĺMODELĺOFĺTHEĺSOCIALĺCOLLECTIVEĺRATHERĺTHANĺTHEĺINDIVIDUALĺ SUBJECT ĺ ANDĺ THEĺ VERYĺ WAYĺ INĺ WHICHĺ 7ESTERNĺ CULTUREĺ CONSTRUESĺ SUBJECTIVITYĺ MAYĺULTIMATELYĺBEĺTHEĺHINDRANCEĺ4HEĺBOURGEOISĺMODELĺOFĺSUBJECTIVITYĺISĺOFĺANĺ ISOLATED ĺSELF CONTAINED ĺAUTONOMOUSĺBEINGĺ4HISĺIDEALĺOFĺSUBJECTIVITYĺpĺCALLEDĺ POSSESSIVEĺINDIVIDUALISMĺpĺSEESĺTHEĺSUBJECTĺASĺHAVINGĺOWNERSHIPĺOFĺHISĺORĺHERĺ SELF ĺAĺMODELĺOFĺFULLĺSUBJECTIVITYĺTHATĺCONČICTSĺWITHĺCAPITALlSĺNEEDĺTOĺAPPROPRIATEĺ LABOURĺ POWER ĺ TOĺ POSSESSĺ INDIVIDUALSĺ ATĺ LEASTĺ PARTĺ OFĺ THEĺ TIMEĺ 'ILLIANĺ "ROWNĺ CONNECTSĺANOREXIAĺTOĺTHEĺLIMITATIONSĺOFĺTHISĺMODELĺOFĺTHEĺSUBJECT ĺARGUINGĺTHATĺ ITĺREVEALSĺkTHEĺPARADOXESĺOFĺSELF PROPRIETORSHIP ĺEXAGGERATEDLYĺMEASURINGĺHOWĺ INDIVIDUALSĺCOMEĺTOĺMATTERĺTHROUGHĺTHEIRĺACTS ĺATTRIBUTES ĺANDĺACCUMULATIONSlĺ

ANOREXIC SUBJECTIVITY IN FIGHT CLUB AND THE MACHINIST

235

ĺ ĺ4HEĺANOREXICĺCONTINUALLYĺMEASURESĺTHEĺSELF ĺMONITORINGĺITSĺEXTENTĺ THROUGHĺOBSESSIVEĺCHARTINGSĺOFĺWEIGHT ĺCALORIEĺINTAKE ĺENERGYĺEXPENDITURE ĺANDĺ SOĺONĺ3UCHĺACTIVITY ĺCOMBINEDĺWITHĺTHEĺTHINĺIDEALĺTOĺWHICHĺTHEĺANOREXICĺSTRIVES ĺ PRODUCESĺ ANOREXIAĺ ASĺ Aĺ MODELĺ OFĺ kSELF POSSESSIONĺ WITHOUTĺ ACQUISITIONĺ ORĺ AC CUMULATIONlĺĺ ĺAĺSUBJECTIVITYĺTHATĺTHEREBYĺkEXPOSESĺTHEĺTERRITORIALISMĺ OFĺ LIBERALĺ HUMANISTĺ INDIVIDUALISMĺ aĺ BYĺ ENACTINGĺ Aĺ MOREĺ RADICALĺ ETHICĺ OFĺ SELF MASTERYĺ aĺ!NOREXIAĺ REVEALSĺ ANDĺ RESISTSĺ THEĺ PROPRIETARYĺ IMPERATIVEĺ INĺ LIBERALĺ HUMANISMlĺĺ ĺ4REVORlSĺANOREXICĺBODYĺTAKESĺTHISĺMAKINGĺVISIBLEĺOFĺTHEĺ PROBLEMSĺOFĺCAPITALISTĺSUBJECTIVITYĺONEĺSTEPĺFURTHER ĺREVEALINGĺTHEĺHORRORĺOFĺAĺ BODYĺ REDUCEDĺ TOĺ MEREĺ LABOURĺ POWERĺ (ISĺ SKELETALĺ APPEARANCEĺ MAKESĺ VISIBLEĺ CAPITALlSĺACCUMULATIONĺBYĺREFUSINGĺTHEĺWORKERĺFULLĺSPECIES BEINGĺ7HILEĺ&IGHTĺ #LUBĺ OVERTLYĺ DENOUNCESĺ THEĺ CONSUMERISMĺ ITĺ SIMULTANEOUSLYĺ EMBRACES ĺ 4HEĺ -ACHINISTĺMATERIALLYĺEMBODIESĺTHEĺDAMAGEĺCAPITALĺDOES

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OFĺSPEECHĺORĺPROTEST 11ĺĺ 3EE ĺFORĺEXAMPLE ĺ$OUBLEĺ)NDEMNITY ĺ&ORCEĺOFĺ%VIL ĺ0ITFALLĺANDĺ4HEĺ"IGĺ#LOCKĺ 

ĺ

REFERENCES !DORNO ĺ4HEODORĺ ANDĺ -AXĺ (ORKHEIMERĺ  ĺ $IALECTICĺ OFĺ %NLIGHTENMENT ĺ TRANSĺ *OHNĺ #UMMINGSĺ,ONDONĺ6ERSO

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15

Memento: Pasting Ourselves Together Through Cinema DEBORAH THOMAS

For my part, when I enter most intimately into what I call myself, I always stumble on some particular perception or other … If any one upon serious and unprejudic’d reflection, thinks he has a different notion of himself, I must confess I can reason no longer with him … But setting aside some metaphysicians of this kind, I may venture to affirm of the rest of mankind, that they are nothing but a bundle or collection of different perceptions, which succeed each other with an inconceivable rapidity, and are in a perpetual flux and movement. – David Hume, A Treatise of Human Nature (1984: 300; emphasis in original) -EMENTOĺ  ĺ ISĺ Aĺ üLMĺ WHICHĺ CANĺ BEĺ SEENĺ ASĺ TYPICALLYĺ NOIRĺ INĺ ITSĺ CONCERNĺ WITHĺDISORDEREDĺNARRATIVEĺANDĺWITHĺAĺCONFUSEDĺPROTAGONISTĺSEEKINGĺANĺORIENTA TIONĺ WITHINĺ THEĺ NARRATIVEĺ WORLD ĺ ANĺ ORIENTATIONĺ WHICHĺ CANĺ PROVIDEĺ HIMĺ WITHĺ Aĺ PLAUSIBLE ĺIFĺMAKESHIFT ĺIDENTITYĺ!SĺWITHĺTHEĺTYPICALĺPROTAGONISTĺOFĺCLASSICĺüLMĺ NOIR ĺ-EMENTOlSĺ,EONARDĺ3HELBYĺ'UYĺ0EARCE ĺSTRUGGLESĺTOĺREWORKĺTHEĺPASTĺBYĺ TELLINGĺSTORIES ĺTHEREBYĺHOPINGĺTOĺGAINĺCONTROLĺOVERĺAĺWORLDĺWHICHĺISĺSIGNIüCANTLYĺ MOREĺCHAOTICĺTHANĺTHEĺNARRATIVEĺWORLDSĺFOUNDĺINĺOTHERĺGENRESĺ(OWEVER ĺWHEREĺ -EMENTOĺISĺAĺSPECIüCĺpĺIFĺEXAGGERATEDĺpĺEXAMPLEĺOFĺTHISĺBROADERĺGENERICĺTREND ĺ ITĺALSOĺGIVESĺUSĺSPACEĺTOĺEXPLOREĺASPECTSĺOFĺüLMĺSPECTATORSHIP ĺREGARDLESSĺOFĺ GENRE ĺTHROUGHĺITSĺSTRATEGYĺOFĺCREATINGĺNARRATIVEĺCONFUSIONĺANDĺAĺCONSTANTĺQUESTĺ FORĺCLARIüCATIONĺFORĺITSĺVIEWERSĺASĺWELLĺ,EONARDĺISĺANĺEXTREMEĺVERSIONĺNOTĺONLYĺ OFĺTHEĺüLMĺNOIRĺPROTAGONISTlSĺUNSTABLEĺIDENTITYĺpĺWHICH ĺINĺ,EONARDlSĺCASE ĺHASĺ COMEĺ SERIOUSLYĺ UNSTUCKĺ pĺ BUTĺ OFĺ OURĺ OWNĺ PRECARIOUSĺ IDENTITYĺ WHENĺ VIEWINGĺ ALLĺKINDSĺOFĺüLMS ĺTEMPORARILYĺDETACHEDĺFROMĺOURĺkREAL LIFElĺSTORIESĺANDĺCIRCUM STANCESĺASĺWEĺWATCHĺ7EĺWILLĺRETURNĺTOĺTHISĺLATER

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Armed with the truth: Memento

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WEĺWILLĺLATERĺSEEĺTHEĺNECKLACEĺANDĺWHITEĺSHIRTĺFROMĺTHEĺEARLIERĺSHOTĺBEINGĺWORNĺ BYĺ,EONARDlSĺWIFEĺINĺČASHBACK ĺINĺTHEĺCOURSEĺOFĺ3CENEĺ ĺASĺ,EONARDĺPREPARESĺ TOĺGIVEĺANĺINSULINĺINJECTIONĺTOĺHERĺ3O ĺTHEĺEARLIERĺSHOTĺINĺCOLOURĺTURNSĺOUTĺTOĺBEĺ THEĺACCURATEĺONEĺITĺREPRESENTSĺ,EONARDlSĺUNEASILYĺSUPPRESSEDĺMEMORYĺOFĺHISĺ WIFElSĺ DIABETESĺ ANDĺ HISĺ OWNĺ ROLEĺ INĺ ADMINISTERINGĺ HERĺ INSULIN ĺ THOUGHĺ INITIALLYĺ DISGUISEDĺBYĺKEEPINGĺTHEĺFACESĺOFĺHISĺWIFEĺANDĺHIMSELFĺOFFSCREEN ĺEVENĺIFĺHISĺ TELL TALEĺüNGERNAILSĺREMAINĺINĺVIEW ,EONARDlSĺCLAIMĺTHATĺ3AMMYlSĺWIFEĺWASĺTESTINGĺHIMĺHASĺITSĺPARALLELĺINĺTHEĺ WAYĺTHEĺSHOTĺOFĺ3AMMYlSĺüNGERSĺČICKINGĺTHEĺHYPODERMICĺISĺAĺkTESTlĺFORĺUSĺAĺ TESTĺOFĺOURĺMEMORYĺOFĺTHEĺEARLIERĺSHOTĺANDĺOFĺOURĺPERCEPTIONĺOFĺTHEĺDIFFERENCESĺ )ĺASSUMEĺITĺISĺAĺTESTĺTHATĺMOSTĺüRST TIMEĺVIEWERSĺOFĺTHEĺüLMĺWILLĺFAIL ĺFORĺWEĺAREĺ GIVENĺNOĺINDICATIONĺTHATĺITĺISĺIMPORTANTĺTOĺNOTICEĺTHEĺüNGERNAILS ĺEVENĺSUPPOS INGĺWEĺHADĺTIMEĺTOĺDOĺSOĺ,EONARDĺTOOĺLACKSĺTHEĺABILITYĺTOĺDISTINGUISHĺBETWEENĺ INFORMATIONĺWHICHĺISĺCRUCIALĺANDĺTHATĺWHICHĺISĺMOREĺTRIVIALĺWHATĺTHINGSĺAREĺTOĺBEĺ NOTEDĺANDĺMEMORIALISEDĺINĺSOMEĺWAY ĺANDĺWHATĺCANĺBEĺSAFELYĺIGNOREDĺ7HOSEĺ WORDSĺAREĺTOĺBEĺBELIEVEDĺANDĺWHOSEĺWORDSĺAREĺLIESĺTOĺBEĺDISCOUNTEDĺ"ECAUSEĺ OFĺHISĺNOTEĺTOĺHIMSELFĺNOTĺTOĺBELIEVEĺ4EDDYlSĺLIES ĺ,EONARDĺDECIDESĺNOTĺTOĺBE LIEVEĺ4EDDYlSĺADVICEĺTHATĺ.ATALIEĺ#ARRIE !NNEĺ-OSS ĺCANNOTĺBEĺTRUSTED ĺANDĺHEĺ CROSSESĺOUTĺTHEĺINSCRIPTIONĺ4EDDYĺGOTĺHIMĺTOĺWRITEĺONĺ.ATALIElSĺPHOTOGRAPHĺk$Oĺ NOTĺTRUSTĺHERl ĺ2IGHTĺAFTERĺTHIS ĺ,EONARDĺüNDSĺANĺADDRESSĺ4EDDYĺHASĺGIVENĺHIMĺOFĺ AĺPLACEĺTOĺSTAYĺTHEĺAPTLY NAMEDĺ$ISCOUNTĺ)NN 4HEĺSERIESĺOFĺSCENESĺINĺCOLOURĺAREĺMUCHĺMOREĺDIFüCULTĺTOĺFOLLOWĺTHANĺTHEĺSE RIESĺINĺBLACK AND WHITEĺ.OTĺONLYĺISĺEACHĺSCENEĺEARLIERĺTHANĺTHEĺONEĺBEFORE ĺBUTĺ WITHĺTHEĺEXCEPTIONĺOFĺ3CENEĺĺWHICHĺOPENSĺTHEĺüLM ĺEACHĺSCENE ĺTHOUGHĺOUTĺ OFĺORDERĺRELATIVEĺTOĺTHEĺSERIESĺASĺAĺWHOLE ĺUNFOLDSĺCHRONOLOGICALLYĺWITHINĺITSELFĺ 4HATĺIS ĺTHEĺENDĺOFĺEACHĺCOLOURĺSCENEĺLEADSĺCHRONOLOGICALLYĺINTOĺEVENTSĺATĺTHEĺ BEGINNINGĺOFĺTHEĺCOLOURĺSCENEĺTHATĺPRECEDESĺITĺINĺTHEĺSERIES ĺWITHĺSOMEĺOVERLAP PINGĺATĺTHESEĺJUNCTURESĺTOĺCLARIFYĺTHEĺTEMPORALĺPROGRESSIONĺ4HUS ĺTHEĺFORWARDĺ MARCHĺOFĺTHEĺBLACK AND WHITEĺSCENESĺISĺSTRAIGHTFORWARD ĺTHOUGHĺWITHĺGAPSĺBE TWEENĺTHEM ĺWHILEĺTHEĺCOLOURĺSCENESĺCONTINUALLYĺLOOPĺBACKĺONĺTHEMSELVESĺ4HISĺ GIVESĺ3AMMYlSĺSTORYĺWHICHĺISĺTHEĺMAINĺCONCERNĺOFĺTHEĺBLACK AND WHITEĺSERIESĺ OFĺSCENES ĺMUCHĺMOREĺUNITYĺANDĺCOHERENCEĺTHANĺ,EONARDlSĺWHICHĺISĺTHEĺFOCUSĺ OFĺTHEĺCOLOURĺSCENES ĺ"UTĺSINCEĺ3AMMYlSĺSTORYĺTHATĺIS ĺTHEĺSTORYĺABOUTĺHIM ĺIS ĺ INĺANOTHERĺSENSE ĺ,EONARDlSĺSTORYĺTHEĺSTORYĺ,EONARDĺCHOOSESĺTOĺTELL ĺITSĺUNITYĺ ISĺNOTĺTOĺDOĺWITHĺTHEĺACTUALĺDETAILSĺOFĺ3AMMYlSĺLIFE ĺSINCEĺITĺISĺFULLĺOFĺMISTAKESĺ 2ATHER ĺITSĺAPPARENTĺCOHERENCEĺISĺANĺATTEMPTĺBYĺ,EONARDĺTOĺPRODUCEĺAĺSUSTAINEDĺ STRETCHĺOFĺNARRATIONĺTHROUGHĺTIMEĺANDĺTHUSĺTOĺACQUIREĺANĺILLUSORYĺSELFĺTHATĺLASTSĺ BEYONDĺTHEĺSERIESĺOFĺISOLATEDĺPRESENTĺMOMENTSĺINĺWHICHĺHEĺISĺTRAPPEDĺ(OW EVER ĺ,EONARDlSĺNARRATIONĺSIMULTANEOUSLYĺSERVESĺANOTHERĺPURPOSEĺINĺITSĺSUPPRES SIONĺOFĺMEMORIESĺWHICHĺPRECEDEĺTHEĺDISABLINGĺATTACKĺTHEĺMEMORYĺTHATĺ3AMMYĺ WASĺ UNMARRIEDĺ ANDĺ THEĺ FURTHERĺ MEMORYĺ THATĺ ITĺ WASĺ ,EONARDlSĺ WIFEĺ WHOĺ HADĺ DIABETES ĺNOTĺ3AMMYlSĺ(ISĺNARRATIONĺDOESĺNOTĺMERELYĺATTEMPTĺTOĺBRIDGEĺOVERĺ

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GAPSĺ INĺ HISĺ MEMORY ĺ BUTĺ TOĺ PROVIDEĺ Aĺ DEFENSIVEĺ SCREENĺ TOĺ HIDEĺ Aĺ TRUTHĺ HEĺ ISĺ PHYSIOLOGICALLYĺEQUIPPEDĺpĺBUTĺPSYCHOLOGICALLYĺUNABLEĺpĺTOĺREMEMBER "YĺCONTRAST ĺTHEĺSCENESĺINĺCOLOURĺAREĺMUCHĺMOREĺDISJOINTEDĺANDĺREČECTĺ,E ONARDlSĺINABILITYĺTOĺRETAINĺANYĺMEMORIESĺOFĺTHEĺRECENTĺPASTĺ(OWEVER ĺTHESEĺDIFü CULTIESĺLEADĺINĺTURNĺTOĺEVENTSĺWHICHĺINTERTWINEĺHISĺLIFEĺWITHĺTHEĺLIVESĺOFĺTHEĺOTHERĺ MAINĺCHARACTERS ĺASĺIFĺHEĺHASĺWANDEREDĺINTOĺTHEIRĺSTORIESĺBYĺCHANCEĺ&ORĺEXAM PLE ĺ4EDDYĺISĺAĺCORRUPTĺCOPĺWHOĺDELIBERATELYĺMANIPULATESĺ,EONARDĺINTOĺMURDER INGĺ*IMMYĺ,ARRYĺ(OLDEN ĺAĺDRUGĺDEALER ĺBYĺCONVINCINGĺHIMĺTHATĺ*IMMYĺISĺHISĺ ATTACKERĺ k*IMMYĺ 'l ĺ (OWEVER ĺWHENĺ ,EONARDĺ THENĺPUTSĺONĺ*IMMYlSĺCLOTHESĺ ANDĺTAKESĺHISĺ*AGUARĺINĺEFFECT ĺkPUTTINGĺONlĺHISĺIDENTITYĺALONGĺWITHĺHISĺCLOTHESĺ ANDĺCAR ĺTHISĺISĺNOTĺPARTĺOFĺ4EDDYlSĺPLANĺ,EONARDlSĺMEETINGĺWITHĺ.ATALIEĺISĺALSOĺ ACCIDENTALĺANDĺCOMESĺABOUTĺWHENĺ,EONARDĺüNDSĺAĺBEERĺMATĺFROMĺ&ERDYlSĺ"ARĺ INĺTHEĺPOCKETĺOFĺTHEĺCLOTHESĺHEĺTOOKĺFROMĺ*IMMY ĺWITHĺAĺNOTEĺONĺTHEĺBACKĺWHICHĺ HEĺASSUMESĺISĺMEANTĺFORĺHIMĺk#OMEĺBYĺAFTERĺ.ATALIEl 7HATĺ WEĺ GETĺ INĺ THEĺ COLOURĺ SCENESĺ ISĺ Aĺ SHIFTINGĺ LANDSCAPEĺ OFĺ INTERSECTINGĺ STORIESĺANDĺMULTIPLEĺIDENTITIESĺWHEREĺ4EDDYĺISĺBOTHĺCOPĺANDĺCROOK ĺ.ATALIEĺPRE TENDSĺTOĺBEĺHELPINGĺ,EONARDĺWHILEĺUSINGĺHIMĺTOĺGETĺRIDĺOFĺ*IMMYlSĺCONFEDERATE ĺ $ODDĺ#ALLUMĺ+EITHĺ2ENNIE ĺANDĺ,EONARDĺTAKESĺONĺ*IMMYlSĺIDENTITYĺALONGĺWITHĺ HISĺPOSSESSIONSĺ3INCEĺ4EDDYĺUSESĺ,EONARDĺTOĺKILLĺ*IMMY ĺANDĺ.ATALIEĺUSESĺHIMĺ TOĺDEALĺWITHĺ$ODD ĺ,EONARDlSĺACTIONSĺSEEMĺNOĺLONGERĺHISĺOWN ĺBUTĺSUBJECTĺTOĺ OTHERSlĺMANIPULATIONĺANDĺCONTROLĺ4HISĺLOSSĺOFĺAGENCYĺCOMPLETESĺTHEĺUNDERMIN INGĺOFĺHISĺSELFHOODĺWHICHĺHISĺMEMORYĺLOSSĺANDĺEMOTIONALĺLACKĺOFĺDEPTHĺHAVEĺ PREVIOUSLYĺBEGUNĺ(OWEVER ĺATĺTHEĺENDĺOFĺTHEĺüLM ĺWEĺDISCOVERĺTHATĺ,EONARDĺ HASĺSABOTAGEDĺTHEĺENTIREĺPROCESSĺANDĺSTUNNINGLYĺASSERTEDĺHISĺAGENCYĺAFTERĺALL ĺ WHEN ĺAFTERĺ*IMMYlSĺDEATHĺANDĺ4EDDYlSĺREVELATIONS ĺHEĺREFUSESĺTHEĺKNOWLEDGEĺ THATĺTHEĺORIGINALĺk*OHNĺORĺ*IMMY ĺ'lĺISĺALREADYĺDEADĺAND ĺINSTEAD ĺMEMORIALISESĺ 4EDDYlSĺ LICENCEĺ PLATEĺ NUMBER ĺ INĺ THEĺ FORMĺ OFĺ Aĺ TATTOO ĺ ASĺ THATĺ OFĺ HISĺ ATTACKERĺ )NĺTHISĺWAY ĺ.ATALIEĺENDSĺUPĺSERVINGĺHISĺPURPOSESĺASĺMUCHĺASĺHEĺSERVESĺHERSĺ WHENĺSHEĺTRACKSĺDOWNĺ4EDDYĺASĺTHEĺOWNERĺOFĺTHEĺCARĺ3IMILARLY ĺ,EONARDĺTURNSĺ THEĺTABLESĺONĺ4EDDYĺWHENĺHEĺKILLSĺHIMĺINĺTHEĺOPENINGĺSCENEĺOFĺTHEĺüLMĺTHATĺIS ĺ ITSĺCHRONOLOGICALĺCULMINATION  4HOUGHĺTHEREĺAREĺIRONIESĺAPLENTY ĺBLACKĺHUMOURĺSEEMSĺMOREĺCHARACTERISTICĺ OFĺ-EMENTOlSĺOVERALLĺTONEĺ4HEĺHUMOURĺWEĺHAVEĺLOOKEDĺATĺSOĺFARĺISĺOFĺTHISĺTYPEĺ ITĺOCCURSĺINĺAĺNARRATIVEĺWORLDĺWHOSEĺBLEAKNESSĺISĺOPENLYĺACKNOWLEDGED ĺWITHĺ LITTLEĺHOPEĺOFĺITĺTRANSFORMINGĺTHISĺWORLDĺFORĺTHEĺBETTERĺ-EMENTOĺINVITESĺUSĺTOĺBEĺ INDULGENTĺTOWARDSĺ,EONARDĺWITHOUTĺFULLYĺFORFEITINGĺOURĺAWARENESSĺOFĺTHEĺDARK NESSĺATĺTHEĺHEARTĺOFĺHISĺCONDITIONĺHISĺLOSSĺNOTĺONLYĺOFĺHIMSELF ĺBUTĺOFĺAĺMEANING FULĺWORLDĺAROUNDĺHIM ĺANDĺTHEĺUTTERĺSOLITUDEĺANDĺBEREFTNESSĺTHISĺIMPLIESĺ4HISĺISĺ PARTICULARLYĺTRUEĺOFĺTHEĺBLACK AND WHITEĺSEQUENCE ĺASĺ,EONARDĺNARRATESĺ3AMMYlSĺ STORYĺINTOĺAĺKINDĺOFĺEXISTENTIALĺVOID ĺADDRESSINGĺHISĺNARRATIONĺüRSTĺTOĺUSĺANDĺTHENĺ TOĺAĺFACELESS ĺVOICELESSĺPERSONĺONĺTHEĺTELEPHONEĺWHOSEĺIDENTITYĺHEĺCANĺNEVERĺ QUITEĺPINĺDOWNĺ4HEĺSEQUENCEĺHASĺSOMETHINGĺOFĺTHEĺFEELĺOFĺAĺ3AMUELĺ"ECKETTĺ

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264

NEO-NOIR

Index

Abele, Robert 189 Adorno, Theodor 29, 226 Alexandre, Michel 109 Altman, Rick 2, 45 Altman, Robert 31–2, 38 Amago, Samuel 140 Andrews, David 179–80, 184 anxiety 4, 8, 44, 57, 70, 78, 89, 120, 126, 132, 172, 203–20, 223, 227, 230, 235, 242, 251 Aristotle 156 Arnheim, Rudolf 12, 18 Attali, Jacques 45 Audiard, Jacques 103, 107 Augé, Marc 113–14, 116 Bakhtin, Mikhail 162 Bale, Christian 221–2, 232–3, 236–7 Batchelor, David 21, 23, 26–7 Beckett, Samuel 164, 249–50 Benjamin, Walter 114, 145 Berg, Alban 29 Berg, Peter 20, 207 Bergson, Henri 158–9, 162, 164 Beugnet, Martine 109

Bloch, Ernst 137 Bobbitt, Lorena 171, 182, 184 Bogart, Humphrey 42, 48, 152 Boorman, John 29 Borde, Raymond 119, 160–1 Bordo, Susan 223–4, 236, 238, 237 Bould, Mark 8, 15, 147 Breton, André 160 Bridges, Jeff 76, 81, 157 Brown, Gillian 235 Buscemi, Steve 163 Bynum, Caroline Walker 223, 237 Cain, James M. 4, 64, 66 Caine, Michael 6–7 Campion, Jane 208 Carroll, Noël 52 Cassel, Vincent 107–8 Chandler, Raymond 6, 31–3, 64, 67 Chaumeton, Étienne 58, 119, 160–1 Chernin, Kim 230, 236 chiaroscuro 12–16, 19–21, 27, 41, 139, 161 Chion, Michel 41 Chow Yun-Fat 127–8

Cimino, Michael 45 cinematography 53, 130, 208 city, the 3, 6, 9, 21, 23, 34, 48, 55, 70, 81–3, 88, 103–4, 111–15, 119, 162, 221 classic noir 5, 8–9, 11–12, 15, 19–21, 26, 31, 44, 47, 52, 56–7, 65, 68–9, 72, 75, 77, 80, 84–8, 104–7, 152, 156, 159, 164, 171, 175, 195, 240 Close, Glenn 76, 81, 168, 172 Clouzot, Henri-Georges 107 Coen brothers (Joel and Ethan) 9, 115, 152–67 colour 8–9, 11–27, 29–30, (33–4), 53, 79, 82–3, 105–6, 108, 113, 140, 241, 243–4, 247–9, 251–2 Cook, David 50 Coppola, Francis Ford 36–7, 45 Corneau, Alain 104, 112-13 Cowie, Elizabeth 207 Crenna, Richard 65, 73 Critchley, Simon 156 Daeninckx, Didier 104, 115

INDEX

265

Dafoe, Willem 81, 83, 154 Dall, John 14 Danson, Ted 67, 73 Dearden, James 172–3, 184 Deleuze, Gilles 113 Denis, Claire 109, 114 Depardieu, Gérard 113 Desser, David 5 Dewaere, Patrick 104 Dickinson, Angie 16, 30, 155 DiNicola, Vincenzo 223, 236 Doane, Mary Ann 204, 206 Douglas, Michael 172–3, 186, 194–5, 199 Dyer, Richard 53, 71, 188, 205 Eaton, Michael 34 Ebert, Roger 190-1 Erickson, Todd 44 Eszterhas, Joe 191, 198 expressionism 4–6, 12–14, 29, 39, 41, 63, 137–8, 148–9, 222 Faludi, Susan 172, 184 femininity 12, 17, 53, 62, 207, 223–4 femme fatale 3, 8, 15, 20, 22, 26, 37, 39, 42, 53, 68, 78, 84, 86–7, 89, 108, 129–30, 149, 165, 168–72, 174–8, 181, 183, 186–7, 189–98, 203–4, 206–15, 217, 225, 237 Fiorentino, Linda 20, 108, 170, 198, 207 Fisher, Amy 171 Fluegel, Darlanne 81–2 Fonda, Bridget 165 Fonda, Jane 47 Ford, John 64, 70 Forrest, Frederic 37, 50 Foster, Jodie 41 Frank, Nino 159 Freud, Sigmund 157, 173, 204, 207, 212, 218, 243 Friedkin, William 81–3, 85–6, 88–9 Fukasaku, Kinji 118, 120–1, 123–7

266

NEO-NOIR

Furia, Robert 54 Gamble, Sarah 183 Garwood, Ian 54 generic conventions 5, 8, 16–18, 123, 126, 130, 208, 215, 229 genre 2–6, 9–10, 12, 18, 28–9, 31, 44, 48–50, 52, 58, 61, 64, 68, 83, 88, 105, 110, 118–21, 123–4, 126, 128–9, 136, 140, 144, 149, 168–70, 174–5, 177, 180, 189–90, 194, 197, 208, 240 Getty, Balthazar 25, 162 Giddis, Diane 48 Gledhill, Christine 48, 147 global (contexts) 5, 72–3, 119, 121, 132–3, 140 Godard, Jean-Luc 105, 112 Goldsmith, Jerry 34–5 Gould, Elliott 19, 31–2 Graham-Moon, Lady Sarah 182, 184 Gremillion, Helen 230, 236 Hackman, Gene 21, 36, 39, 50 Haneke, Michael 114 Hawks, Howard 12 Hedaya, Dan 19, 158 Hegel, G.W.F. 146 Herrmann, Bernard 41 Hodges, Mike 6, 8, 143–5 Hollinger, Karen 47 Horkheimer, Max 226, 237 Horsley, Lee 177 Horton, Andrew 153 Hume, David 240, 252 Hurt, William 20, 53, 65, 68, 170 Huston, John 34, 68 identity 2–4, 6, 52, 114, 119, 125, 128–9, 140, 148–9, 175, 192–3, 203–5, 208–10, 213, 217, 221–2, 226, 236, 240–5, 249–51 Igarashi, Yoshikuni 124 intertextuality 3, 32, 153, 189–90, 192, 208

Jackson, Samuel L. 153–4, 165 Jameson, Fredric 52–3, 66, 69, 165 Johnston, Clare 204 Jonquet, Thierry 104 Kalmus, Natalie M. 13–14 Kaplan, E. Ann 171, 206 Kasdan, Lawrence 64–9, 72 Kassovitz, Mathieu 107, 109, 116 Keitel, Harvey 42, 164–5 Kern, Jerome 35–6, 54 Khondji, Darius 16 Kim, Jiwoon 119 King, Geoff 155 Kitano, Takeshi 119–20, 126, 134 Klein, Melanie 213–15, 217–18 Knight, Deborah 160 Knight, Steven 142 Kristeva, Julia 21 Krutnik, Frank 171, 204–5 Kurosawa, Akira 118, 127 Lacan, Jacques 204, 207 Lafargue, Paul 145–6 Lang, Fritz 12, 138 Leconte, Patrice 105 Lee, Bruce 128 Lev, Peter 52 Lin Ching-hsia 5 Lindon, Vincent 110 Livingston, Jay 37 Loggia, Robert 25, 75 López, Sergi 139, 150 Lowe, Donald M. 226–7, 230 Lukács, Georg 137–8, 140–1, 149 Lynch, David 9, 152–167 Lyne, Adrian 171–2, 175 Macherey, Pierre 224–5 Mak, Siu Fai 119, 128 Manchette, Jean-Patrick 104 Mandel, Johnny 29–30 Marquand, Richard 39, 81, 88

Marx, Karl 141, 145–6, 232–3, 237 masculinity 56, 62, 70, 147–8, 161, 171, 204–6, 209–10, 221–2, 225, 228, 231 Maxfield, James F. 206 Melville, Jean-Pierre 9, 27, 104–6 Miike, Takashi 119 Minturn, Kent 138 mise-en-scène 82, 175, 179, 208, 222, 236 music 9, 13, 25, 28–44, 49, 52, 54–8, 104–5, 107, 157, 165, 229, 243 Naremore, James 13, 15, 21–2, 160 Neale, Steve 161 Newman, Chris 46 Nixon, Richard 45, 58, 71 nostalgia 7, 9, 41, 44, 44–61, 70, 106, 123, 126, 132, 165–6 Nowell-Smith, Geoffrey 114 O’Brien, Geoffrey 53 Oliver, Kelly 203, 205 Olson, Greta 223, 226, 237 Orbach, Susie 223, 230 Pakula, Alan J. 45, 49, 51 Palazzoli, Maria Selvini 223–4 Pankow, John 81, 83, 87 paranoia 9, 12, 22, 31, 36, 40, 44–61, 213, 222, 227, 229, 231–2 Park, Chan-wook 119, 121, 129–31 pastiche 5, 7, 53, 57, 165–6 Petersen, William 24, 81, 83, 85 Phillips, Alastair 114 Pialat, Maurice 105 Piantadosi, Art 51

Pitt, Brad 23, 221–2, 228, 233, 236 Place, Janey 204 poetic realism 5, 9, 111, 114 Polanski, Roman 33–6 Powers, Tom 61, 65 Powrie, Phil 103 Prédal, René 107 Preminger, Otto 12 Prince, Stephen 52–3, 165 Read, Jacinda 168, 176, 209 Redford, Robert 50–1 Rózsa, Miklós 34 Sacks, Oliver 242–3, 245 Sansom Harris, Harriet 246 Satķ, Tadao 120 Sayles, John 64–5 Scarre, Geoffrey 169 Schrader, Paul 40, 42 Schreger, Charles 45 Scorsese, Martin 31, 40–2, 45, 115, 128 Scott, Ridley 54 Sergi, Gianluca 45 Shea, Katt 181 Sheridan, Peter 199 Shire, David 37, 40 Silver, Alain 31 Simenon, Georges 104 Siodmak, Robert 12 Small, Michael 49, 52, 58 Sobchack, Vivian 164, 217 Solomon, Jack 46 sound 7, 9, 22, 25, 28–61, 145, 148, 159, 211–12 Spicer, Andrew 5 Spillane, Mickey 7 Staiger, Janet 3 Stanwyck, Barbara 32, 61, 65 Stone, Sharon 8, 20, 108, 170, 186–202 Stonebridge, Lyndsey 215 Strassberg, Morris 49

Sugawara, Bunta 122 Sutherland, Donald 48 Swift, Jonathan 160–1 Takakura, Ken 127 Tannock, Stuart 56 Tarantino, Quentin 9, 115, 152–67 Tasker, Yvonne 177 Taubin, Amy 41 Tavernier, Bertrand 103, 109, 112 Thomas, Deborah 8, 204–5 Thompson, Jim 104 Thompson, Mark 144 Thomson, David 164 Thornham, Sue 208 Towne, Robert 33 transnational (contexts) 5, 6, 9, 103, 118–19, 121, 130, 134 Trigo, Benigno 203, 205 Tsui, Hark 127 Tsukamoto Shinya 119 Turner, Bryan S. 223, 228 Turner, Kathleen 20, 53, 65, 68, 170 Tweed, Shannon 175–6, 198 Verhoeven, Paul 191 Walter, Natasha 177 Ward, Elizabeth 31 Webb, Jim 51 Wilder, Billy 61–6, 68, 70, 72–3 Williams, John 31–2 Williams, Linda Ruth 8, 207 Willis, Gordon 16 Woo, John 118–19, 121, 127–9, 133 Wood, Robert E. 174 Yakovlev, Anton 110 Zsigmond, Vilmos 16

INDEX

267