boston noir

Some of the stylistic traits of film noir came from German Expressionism when German filmmakers were exiled to the United States. Filmmakers like Fritz Lang were drawn to the seedy underbelly of urban life. Other influences were the dreamlike atmosphere of French surrealist film and the pared-down post-war style known as Italian neorealism.
Some recurrent themes of noir include gangsters, detectives, and the “femme fatale.” The natural settings of dark alleyways, smoky bars, and poorly lit streets with steam rising from manholes are the signature locations of noir. On a casual late-night stroll through Boston, one can’t help but feel drawn into the noir existence.