Perhaps the overriding Noir theme ; a passion for the past and present, but also a fear of the future. Noir heroes dread to look ahead, but instead try to survive by the day, and if unsuccessful at that, they retreat to the past. Thus Film Noir's techniques emphasize loss, nostalgia, lack of clear priorities, and insecurity, then submerge these self-doubts in mannerism and style. In such a world style becomes paramount ; it's all that separates one from meaninglessness.
excerpt from
Paul Schrader
Notes on Film Noir
1976
image
Sabine Weiss
