3.0 Overview Origins & Influences: Expressionism, Gangsters & the Production Code

 3.0 Overview Origins & Influences: Expressionism, Gangsters & the Production Code


In this module we will consider the influence of German Expressionism on the rise of the American Gangster film in the early 1930s and later, film noir.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
  • Describe stylistic and thematic elements of the gangster film in The Public Enemy
  • Identify and assess German Expressionism and its influence on gangster and noir elements of lighting, characterization, theme, mood and tone 
  • Assess The Public Enemy (1931) as a representative Gangster film

TO DO LIST
To meet the objectives of this module, you will complete the following activities and assessments:

1.Read "Paint it Black: The Family Tree of Film Noir" by Raymond Durgnat (Links to an
   external site.) pgs. 37-51 in The Film Noir Reader (create a FREE Archive.org account to
   access)
2.Review all the clips and content in this module
3.Watch The Public Enemy
4.Discussion "A" Noir & Gangster Films


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