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The Maltese Falcon​ (1941) // ​Chinatown​ (1974) ​Noir

Essay Instructions:

For this assignment, you will study the evolution of a genre, in the way that we have been studying the horror film in class. Working with two thematically linked films in your genre from different periods and outside research from ​at least three sources​ to help you identify the genre’s history, myths, conventions, and iconography, you will develop a thesis about ​the genre and how it works across time and in an ever-changing culture.​

 

Paper Assignment
For this assignment, you will study the evolution of a genre, in the way that we have beenstudying the horror film in class. Working with two thematically linked films in your genre fromdifferent periods and outside research from at least three sources to help you identify thegenre’s history, myths, conventions, and iconography, you will develop a thesis about thegenre and how it works across time and in an ever-changing culture. Your paper shouldconsider how genre creates meaning in these two films and how this reflects a larger argumentabout the genre’s relation to the culture in which it is produced (for example, both the U.S.social culture and the Hollywood industry).
This is, first and foremost, a paper about genre. Your films are illustrative examples of thegenre within a historical/cultural context that will help you understand how and why it haschanged over time. They will also help limit your focus, as not every generic myth, convention,or icon will be relevant to your films and your thesis. You are not simply discussing your films’similarities and differences. Your argument and analysis must demonstrate a historicalunderstanding of the genre and how your films work within the genre. You should examine thegeneric myths, conventions, and iconography at work in the films, as well as the ways in whichthe style (or formal elements) influence how audiences understand and interpret these variousgeneric elements. For example: How is the convention of the zombie different in a classicalversus a modernist horror? How is this difference indicative of the broader changes in thegenre between the two periods?
Choose one of the genres on the following page along with a pair of films on which to write a6-8 page paper (~1800–2400 word), using both original analysis and outside research. As withPaper Two, you will be expected to develop your own thesis and then argue that thesis with acoherent and organized discussion of the topic. Your thesis must make a claim about howand why your genre has changed over time and engage with the class concepts on Genre andthe Classical, Postclassical, Modernist, and Postmodernist periods (whichever apply to yourfilms). Be sure to use the terminology and concepts provided by Dr. Carstocea in lectureand/or those in the course readings on these issues.It is your responsibility to reserve your genre/films with me through the link provided onBlackboard. This link will self populate on the announcements section of Blackboard onSunday, October 24th, at 10 AM PT (just like we did with the midterm).Requests must be made by Wednesday, November 4th, but you should ideally reserve yourfilm far in advance, as your bibliography is also due on November 4th.Before choosing a film, you are responsible for determining whether you will be able to view itand whether it contains content you might find unsuitable. Difficulty finding films or contentobjections will not be considered valid reasons for switching films.
The Maltese Falcon​ (1941) // ​Chinatown​ (1974) ​Noir

Essay Sample Content Preview:
Film Noir
Name
Institution
Evolution of Film Noir
Film noir originated as a genre during the 1940s in post-War France, inspired by the turbulent intellectual and sociopolitical circumstances of World War II. The starring figure of the criminal was a comparison for ‘dark’ dimensions of the self that needed to be understood. This paper will scrutinize the elements of film noir with two movies involved; the Maltese Falcon (1941) and Chinatown (1974) and how relevant they have been across the times.
Film noir has been regarded as an amphibolic category of film. French critics Borde and Chaumeton postulate that it would be overly shallow for film noir to be exhibiting a strange, conflicted, and cruel set of attributes (Borde & Chaumeton, p2). Notwithstanding, most descriptions and analyses of this genre is that they are affected by what is at the same time impressing in them. The fascination behind these action-packed movies is their depiction of characters, themes; crime and detective tales, melodramas, or female thrillers. They also avoid explicit content but still impress on the manner their plot is brought about in the evocation of the atmosphere and mood in these films.
The Chinatown storyline maintains some aspect of the classical plots while the Maltese Falcon can be categorized as a distinct transitional crime psychology film which indicates the limitations within the film noir spectrum and those that do not depict some lack of noir element. Often, film noir is regarded with negativity. This genre represents a crisis and tries to deal with the crisis in its dark way. It shows the dark nature and desperation of this era, where some individuals throw themselves under the race for materialistic gain. The Maltese Falcon (1941) acts as a window through which we can observe future elements of the noir label, especially, the divided and dishonorable protagonist. The environment in which the hero lives is a dim and problematic urban environment in which they try to make ends meet. This is an allusion to American society during that time. Sam Spade, a noir protagonist is seen as a dark hero. His greedy nature is emblematic of a dirty protagonist who overlooks the rules of conservative values. The audience can pick out his materialistic nature as observed from his grin when Miss Wonderly whips out cash from her handbag. Spade is the man having an affair with his partner’s wife (Archer). After finding out about the death of Archer, Spade responds by having all his belongings taken out of the office since he does not portray any compunction. This evidence shows the film noir with its black and white style. The incredibility of Samuel Spade as a hero is, therefore, corroded by his warped code of ethics. He brings out a sacrifice for the greater good in a divergent manner, as he sacrifices others for his own greater good. Spade’s ingenious nature expedites his navigation through difficult situations. He is notably selfish and immoral. His greedy nature, ironically, helps him in the end. Rather than supporting Miss. Wonderly, Spade had no difficulty throwing her under the bus to help himself.
Film noir parodies a transitional era in American society, a stage when America transforms from being a pre-indus...
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