Smoking:
Cigarettes and smoking play a big part in film noir, most characters are usually seen smoking at some point during the movie. Smoking was a big fad in the time that most film noir movies are based in, the dangers weren't known and it was may be used to create a sense of mystery for the character...they can almost hide behind the smoke.
Venetian Blinds:
These are also used in most film noir based movies, it usually shows either the main character or the femme fatale with the shadow from the blinds across their face so the audience can only see strips of the characters face. This again creates mystery, and shows that the character has something to hide from the other characters as well as the audience.
Mirrors:
Mirrors are used in a symbolic way to show that a certain character may have two sides to their personality, or two different agendas which another character doesnt know about. Mirrors can also be used to crate some interesting camera shots...so the audience sees a different side to a character than whoever they are talking to.
Colours:
Most film noir movies are in black and white...this is very authentic and also brings in the themes of the time period. Later movies that are in colour usually have very low key lighting, therefore all the colours would be dimmer/duller than they would be normally. Black and grey are used a lot as they significally death, confusion and mystery....all big features of film noir movies. The femme fatale usually wears white...to try and signify her innocence at the beginning, however when she changes into her normal self (mischevious) she usually wears red or black.
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