Film Noir PresentationBy Cara Amorelli

Femme Fatale

In this presentation I am going

to define a femme fatales role

in most film noir films

I will be basing this off of ‘Phyllis

Dietrichson’ the female role in

Double Indemnity (1944) played

by Barbara Stanwyck

[1] Film noir’s portrayal of the femme

fatale would seem to support the

existing social order of women’s

rights that some fight for still to this

day. They show this by building up a

strong character who turns out to

be a strong willed independent

woman.

[2]In the film Double Indemnity

Phyllis Dietrichson is beautiful and

witty woman, who is in a

partnership with her husband, a

business man who remains

nameless (Mr.Dietrichson)

throughout the film. Walter Neff is a

insurance representative, he comes

to the Dietrichson household on

business terms; to discuss there

insurance situation. After his visit he

finds himself in a spot of trouble,

involved with money, insurance,

fraud and murder.

Femme Fatale is a role in a

film noir, she is usually alluring

and very sexually attractive.

Naturally she has to be

stereotypically blonde, slim

but curvy

They usually have a current

relationship with a partner

who she undertreated by,

this then makes her have an

affair and fall for the

protagonist; they then

commit a crime in there love

drunk state.

They pretend to be confident, you become drawn in by them and they

create danger for you, captivating the protagonist.

There is no exits once entranced with a femme fatale, the protagonist

makes his main goal to be with the said lady.

A stereotypical femme fatale isn’t just a pretty face, they are usually

very smart and witty. They charm people to make things go their way;

with their low seductive voices.

The word femme fatale comes from France, which literally translates

‘disastrous woman’. They are considered disastrous as they do create

loads of problems for the lead protagonist, to accomplish their own

happiness and wealth in a wild pursuit of money.

[1] Their role is to manipulate men in order to gain power, they stay far

away from the female stereotype; no sight of a devoted wife or loving

mother.

Pale foundation, ‘cats eye’ eyeliner or smoky eyes and dark red or maroon lipstick

Wavy/big hairstyles

Dark and alluring clothing

Mysterious backgrounds

The Look

[3]

Conclusion

>Low seductive voice

>Dark Clothes

>Mysterious setting

>Smart Mysterious

character

>Interesting items

(accessories)

>Wavy hair

>Pale skin contrasted

with dark makeup

[1]

http://www.filmnoirstudies.com/essays/progressive.as

p[2]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036775/[3]

http://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Femme-Fatale

Bibliography

Google Images search terms:

>Film noir Background

>Femme Fatale

>Film noir