Film Noir and the Femme Fatale

Taught by filmmaker and author Daryle Conners, B.A. in Film from NYU/Center for Inter-critical Film Studies in Paris.
Wednesdays, January 20th - February 10th

7- 8:30 p.m, with optional screenings from 8:30 - 10:00 p.m.

Four weeks, $95. Class size: 10-20 students.
Location: Wallingford. Address will be sent to each participant upon registration. 

Film noir came out of the Great Depression and World War II, drawing upon German Expressionism and a newly formed mistrust of the American institutions of family and marriage. The sexy, enigmatic, and dangerous femme fatale was a key archetypical character in these dark crime dramas, and while she can be seen as a result of misogynist fear, she was also an expression of women's power and capability as they broke free of the conventional roles of wife and homemaker to which they'd been mortally confined. This 4-week film course will explore the emergence of the femme fatale and her crucial role in the film noir genre, as well as her evolution since.  

Week 1 - The Femme Fatale, World War II and the Era of Film Noir
Optional screening: "Double Indemnity"

Week 2 - The Femme Fatale as a Suspense Device in Film Noir
Optional screening "Out of the Past"

Week 3 - The Femme Fatale and the American Family
Optional screening "Gilda"

Week 4 - The Femme Fatale evolves - the 1950's and beyond.
Optional screening "Touch of Evil"