Neo noir is defined as 'a film set in contemporary times, that shows characteristics of a film noir in plot or style' (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/neo-noir).
Some examples of films within this genre are: Blade Runner, Fatal Attraction, Basic Instinct, Sin City and The Black Dahlia. We looked at two other pieces of work that fit the neo noir conventions - Mulholland Drive and The Red Riding Trilogy (TV series). We made notes on typical and non-typical features of both.
Red Riding
Typical
The main character was seen smoking, alongside various other characters. He is also seen drinking (a characteristic present in the anti-hero in some film noirs).
The lighting is very sepia in tone.
Narration features heavily.
There is a crime based storyline.
The narrative of the piece works backwards.
Untypical
The music is guitar based as opposed to classical.
The location is rural rather than urban.
Blood is featured extensively. In classic film noirs, it was not allowed to be shown.
Mulholland Drive
Typical
There is a femme fatale character.
The storyline is crime based.
It is set in an urban location.
Smoke features heavily.
Untypical
There is no male anti-hero. Instead, that character type is taken by a woman.
